'Taiko' is a kind of Japanese drum that people hit to make music. Taiko drumming is an ancient Japanese art and it's difficult to learn. Now, many people are practicing taiko drumming in the United
In windy places, some people catch the wind's power with special equipment and use it to make energy. The schools in one area are using wind power to save energy and money. How is this energy made?
People from around the world travel to Coober Pedy, Australia, with hopes of getting rich. This town is full of valuable stones called 'opals'. Some opals are worth millions, but they are extremely h
In Brazil, a man has discovered a new way of saving, or rescuing, people from drowning in the ocean. This new rescue method involves a person using a motor-powered aircraft to work with lifeguards on
In the 1800s, the Rocky Mountain locust brought massive destruction to Western settlers. Then, the insects suddenly disappeared-almost without a trace. Now scientists hope to find a reason for the loc
A group of young athletes have traveled to the Indian Ocean to visit Reunion Island for a unique challenge: canyaking. This tough outdoor activity is a combination of two different sports and require
There is a silk factory in Florence, Italy, where workers use ancient machines to create beautiful silk cloth. Other factories have modernized and use newer machines but the workers here continue to w
Two explorers take an exciting and difficult trip to the Gobi Desert. When they finally get there, one explorer wants to take pictures of the desert in an interesting way. Why is it so difficult to
Flora grew up in a large city in Tanzania. Then she married and moved to a small village where she and her husband hunt and farm to live. She dreams of going back to the city but doesn't want to leav
Orangutans are animals that are similar to humans in many ways. One similarity is their ability to communicate through language. This ability is being studied in a program at a zoo in Washington, D.
A team of people is traveling through Africa. The team wants to photograph and document the wildlife of this beautiful part of the world. They want to do it before this beauty disappears, or goes away
In the village of Chinchero, Peru, weaving is an important tradition. Weavers use animal hair to make beautiful cloth. They have always used this cloth to stay warm. However, they are now also selling
In the past, it was popular for rich people in England to have servants, or people to help manage their homes. The most important servant was the butler. Today, there are fewer butlers, but the job is
In the Arctic Ocean, a baby whale goes too close land. It cannot get back to the water. A group of whales are trapped by moving ice. They cannot get back to open water. Will the whales find safety bef
In parts of Thailand, monkeys are important animals. They are allowed to do anything they want to do. In the town of Lopburi, the people even have a party for the monkeys every year! What kind of part
In a small village in northern Greece, local residents participate in an annual religious festival called 'Anastenaria'. During the festival, believers walk across fire to test their faith and receive
A snake park in the Sultanate of Oman has a serious problem: all but one of their snakes have died. The owner of the park has hired a 'snake detective' to uncover the mystery of the dying snakes. Why
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt contains an extraordinary collection of ancient art, but even more of its treasures are hidden away in its basement. Museum workers are now preparing to show these
A National Geographic team in Botswana sets out on the difficult task of filming one of the most beautiful creatures on earth; the cheetah. Cheetahs are presently endangered and the team's goal is to
Capoeria is a Brazilian art that involves dancing and fighting. Capoeira was invented in the 1800s and it has become a popular activity today. Capoeira is now being used to help street children in B
Giant Pandas are considered the national treasure of China. Unfortunately, these animals are becoming extinct. The people of China are working hard to save pandas from disappearing. Why are they be
Several strange signs called 'crop circles' have been discovered in the fields of southern England. These mysterious circles are puzzling to everyone, even scientists. There are several theories abou
Dolphins are intelligent animals that live in the ocean. Every year thousands of dolphins swim too close to beaches by mistake and get caught. If left outside the water, they can die. This happened
'Dinosaurs' are animals that lived long ago. Scientists often study dinosaur 'bones' or the hard parts inside the body. A team of scientists looks for dinosaur parts but they're hard to find. Will the
Gianni Golfera can remember almost everything. Scientists want to study his mind because he can remember so much. Some think his environment improved his memory. Others think that Gianni's memory came
Confucius (551-479 B.C.) is a well-known person in Chinese history. He had many followers who believed in what he taught and who spread his ideas throughout the country. Confucius continues to influ
In Japan, a young woman named Umechika dreams of becoming a geisha and has left home to follow her dream. This mysterious Japanese profession requires years of difficult training. What happens durin
Long ago, Uganda's mountain gorilla population was getting smaller. But now, the situation is improving. People are visiting the area and paying to see gorillas in their natural environment. The money
People everywhere need water for drinking, washing, and other activities. In India there is not always enough water for everybody. Now, a group of villages is trying a different method to get water. W
Every year, a group of people in Delaware have a pumpkin throwing contest. They use machines to throw pumpkins very far. The winner is the team that throws a pumpkin father than anyone else! How do th
Queenstown, New Zealand considers itself 'The Adventure Capital of the World'. Why? People go there to jump from high places, drive extremely fast boats, and walk into the mountains and fly back. Why
Along the coast of Northern Ireland, there is an unusual place called "The Giant's Causeway." According to a local story, a big man, or "giant," made it. Scientists, however, have a different story. H
