10 – 12 years
Our Solar System
The Solar System is a system of a huge star and the objects around it. The star at the centre of our Solar System is the Sun and the objects are the Planets. There are eight planets, five dwarf planets, asteroids, comets and hundreds of moons.
The first and closest planet to the sun in our solar system is Mercury, but it is not hot. Next is Venus, which spins in the opposite direction of Earth. This is also the hottest planet. Then is Earth, the third closest to the sun. It is the only one where there is life. It is our home planet.
The fourth planet is Mars, the Red Planet. After that comes Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. Next is Saturn which is the only planet in our solar system that has visible rings. The last two are Uranus and Neptune, far from the sun. One day on Uranus is 17 hours on Earth.
Other than all these planets, we can also see comets which are balls made of ice and dust, rocks called asteroids and many more.
In conclusion, our solar system is the place in space where our planets and we live in.
Pradhishan Ketheeswaran
Gateway College
13 – 15 years
Alternative Energy Sources
Energy is something predominant that we need in our day-to-day lives and we get it in different ways. One way is by using alternative energy sources. It refers to renewable sources that are natural. In fact, this is one way of benefitting from nature without harming it.
Wind energy, solar energy, hydro-electricity, biomass, nuclear energy and hydrogen energy are some of the crucial types of alternative energy.
Wind is the foremost alternative energy source we require. Moreover, wind moves the blades in wind turbines and creates electrical energy. In addition we use windmills for this action.
On the other hand we use Solar energy, which transfers heat from the sun to thermal power. Therefore we operate solar panels. Hydro-electricity is formed by the power of water that flows – for instance, the water in fast-flowing rivers – to produce current.
The fourth significant alternative energy source is Biomass, where organic matter from animals and plants is converted into electricity in biomass power plants. Next comes, Nuclear energy which is frequently produced by the nucleus, also known as the core of atoms, made up of unique protons and neutrons.
The final source is Hydrogen energy, which is used to store and give energy formed from other alternative energy sources. Today, in many countries we use hydrogen-powered buses, which are eco-friendly and there is no need to burn fuel; this will stop the spread of greenhouse gas emissions.
In conclusion we need these sources to maintain national security, which will later become world security!
Aksharran Ketheeswaran (13 years)
Gateway College
