Newton's Lab Physics Experiment Kits Review (Age 10+) Sent for review.

We've been sent 2 of the brilliant build-it-yourself cardboard science kits from Newton's Lab to review. Made by Kikkerland, they are very carefully designed build-it-yourself physics-based engineering and science kits suitable for older children aged around 10 or over. 

I'm really keen that toys should last for decades, or be made with the Earth in mind (or both if possible). Children's science kits often include throwaway items, or tons of plastic bags, and you end up feeling like you might well be a part of the problem. The Newton's Lab kits are very much recycled cardboard with a couple of other pieces for stability or durability, packaged in a recycled cardboard box.

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COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 27th May 2022

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 27th May 2022

UK COVID Statistics - The page says it's all updated, but some of the data is over a week old. It makes a lot of this irrelevant as anything but a rough guide as to trajectory:
Cases in the 7 days up to 22nd May: 57,584 (similar to a week earlier)
Admitted to hospital with COVID in the 7 days to 22nd May: 4,130 (substantially DOWN on a week earlier)
In hospital yesterday: 5,584 (substantially DOWN from 6,729 a week earlier)
Losses of life in the 7 days up to 20th May: 725 (down slightly on a week earlier)
Total losses of life within 28 days of a positive test up to 20th May: 177,977
Total losses of life with COVID listed as a cause up to 13th May: 195,347
Tests in the 7 days up to 19th May: 1,546,244 (similar to a week earlier)
UK Vaccination data up to 18th May
1st Dose 53,398,518
2nd Dose 49,895,254
Booster/Third Jabs 39,585,631

Rep. Of Ireland: 1,561,632 cases and 7,271 losses of life (not yet reported today).

World: 530,508,082 reported cases and 6,308,310 losses of life.

The Nursing Director of the UK's West Midlands Ambulance Service, Mark Docherty, has told the Health Service Journal (HSJ) that some people are now waiting up to 24 hours in an ambulance before a suitable bed is found, and the service could collapse completely. Over 100 people have now died when "the service has been unable to respond because its ambulances are held outside hospitals". Mr Docherty has gone so far as to predict the exact day the service might collapse completely if current trajectories continue - August 17th.
“It would make me the happiest person in the world if everyone in the system proves to me that actually the ambulance service in the West Midlands isn’t going to fail on 17 August, and I’ve got it completely wrong.”
Date for your diary there... fingers crossed it never happens. 

UK Briefing Education Special with Gav 24th Feb 2021

UK Briefing Education Special with Gav 24th Feb 2021

Cases: 4,144,577 (+9,938)
Losses of life: 121,747 (+442)
In hospital: 16,803 (down 20% from a week earlier)
Using a ventilator: 2,273
First dose vaccination: 18,242,873
Second dose: 669,105

"Today is the culmination of many months of planning, research, negotiation & coordination. But it's just the beginning. We still have a lot of work to do to realize our shared vision for Vaccine Equity by starting vaccination in all countries within the first 100 days of the year."
Dr Tedros of the World Health Organisation this morning, as the first COVAX shipment of 600,000 vaccines arrived in Ghana. 

Public Health England have added more people to vaccine priority groups:
“JCVI supports the plan to invite anyone on the GP Learning Disability Register – as well as adults with other related conditions, including cerebral palsy – for vaccination as part of priority group 6.”
This is presumably a result of their comprehensive computer programme algorithm - it has highlighted people who are significantly more vulnerable to COVID than we realised before (or were willing to admit. Common sense and logic suggested a few of them).
The cynic in me also adds that every adult we label "vulnerable" (and there are genuinely a lot), can justifiably be vaccinated as priority. It eases the conscience and pressure from the world, over vaccinating UK general population before other countries even get their health workers jabbed. It's a bit naughty - and they know it.
Invites will go out immediately it's possible, according to supply of vaccine in your area. 

What To Do To Keep The Older Kids Busy At Home - Spring 2021

It's been just over a year since the first cases of COVID emerged, and yet we already seem to have been under restrictions for about 4 years. Being at home doesn't mean the end of all entertainment - lots of folks have moved online, and lots have been working online for years, but you might not have noticed.... 

Here are a host of people who are still entertaining us, teaching us and putting on events - and anyone can join in, whatever the weather, wherever you are.... 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 23rd / 24th January 2021.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 23rd / 24th January 2021.

The UK added 30,004 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,647,463 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 665,330 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 6,353,321 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 469,660 have been fully vaccinated.

37,899 people were in hospital on Thursday 21st, with 4,076 using a ventilator on Friday 22nd January.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 610 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 97,939 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 186,184 cases and 2,947 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 99,537,514 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,134,426. Already 71,536,933 people have recovered.

It is a year ago yesterday that China put the residents of Wuhan under a lockdown that would officially last for 76 days, but for some people it lasted for months.
At the time it signalled to the world that this was really serious, but we also looked on in complete dumb shock. What a lot of world leaders didn't do, was watch and learn, and act. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and UK Briefing 22nd January 2021.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and UK Briefing 22nd January 2021.

The UK added 40,261 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,583,907 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 665,330 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 5,383,103 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, with 466,796 fully vaccinated. 

38,562 people were in hospital on Wednesday 20th, (78% higher than the first peak in April) with 3,960 using a ventilator yesterday, 21st January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,401 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 95,981 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 184,279 (+2,357) cases and 2,870 (+52) losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 98,409,112 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,107,517. Already 70,706,296 people have recovered.

“One of the new things in this administration is that if you don’t know the answer, don’t guess. Just say you don’t know the answer.”
Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of the USA's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (Welcome back.)

We do have some good news. Today's ONS data does suggest that for the first time in ages, the UK's overall R rate is below 1. It's assumed to be between 0.8-1.0. 

Right. We also have some bad news. There's little we can do about it and I can't sugar coat it, but paradoxically it may eventually lead to less overall losses of life in the UK at least. An investigative study by UK Government advisory group NERVTAG (New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group), has found that the UK variant does seem to be more lethal than the original COVID.
It appears to be around 1.3 fold more dangerous - so if 10 people would have succumbed to plain old COVID, 13 would succumb to the UK variant.
This is possibly also the case with the South African variant, and the Brazilian variant - which share some genetic mutations with the UK variant, despite developing completely separately.
This news will cause some worldwide concern - in the countries which do have UK variant (much of Europe, USA) and the countries which don't. It is seeming increasingly likely that travel between areas WITH COVID and areas WITHOUT COVID will get more and more difficult and restrictive, but possibly so will travel between areas with and without new variants. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 20th / 21st January 2021.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 20th / 21st January 2021.

The UK added 37,892 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,543,646 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 640,856 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 4,973,248 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, and 464,036 are fully vaccinated. 

38,676 people were in hospital on 19th, with 3,953 using a ventilator yesterday, 20th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,290 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 94,580 losses of life in all settings.

Country / Cases / Losses of life / Losses of life per 100,000 population.
Wales 185,035 / 5,399 / 171.2
Scotland 168,219 / 7,070 / 129.4
Northern Ireland 98,351 / 1,975 / 104.3
England 3,092,041 / 81,379 / 144.6

Rep. Of Ireland 179,324 cases and 2,768 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 97,601,280 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,090,444. Already 70,097,292 people have recovered.

The latest REACT random study data for 6th to 15th January suggests in most English areas cases were still rising. We are still seeing the effects of Christmas, but with a 3 week old lockdown you'd hope for some positive signs. On 15th January more people in the UK had COVID than in mid December - not good news.
The hopeful news is that since the 15th Jan we are beginning to see daily reported cases drop, so fingers crossed that the last week made all the difference...
The main findings from the eighth REACT study (6-15 Jan) show:
- national prevalence increased by 50% from 0.91% in early December to 1.58%, or 158 out of every 10,000 people infected
- national R was estimated at 1.04
- regional prevalence was highest in London where it had more than doubled from 1.21% to 2.8%. It had also more than doubled in the South East (0.75% to 1.68%); East of England (0.59% to 1.74%); and West Midlands (0.71% to 1.76%). It increased in the South West (0.53% to 0.94%) and North West (0.92% to 1.41%). There was a decrease in Yorkshire and The Humber (1.39% to 0.84%). It was stable in the East Midlands (1.04% to 1.16%) and North East (1.26% to 1.18%)
- prevalence increased nationally in all adult age groups and was highest in 18 to 24 year olds at 2.51%. Prevalence in the over 65s more than doubled from 0.41% to 0.94% 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 18th / 19th January 2021

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 18th / 19th January 2021

The UK added 33,355 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,466,849 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 556,689 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 4,266,577 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, and 456,866 had received their second dose.  

37,946 people were in hospital on Sunday 17th, with 3,916 using a ventilator yesterday, 18th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,610 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 91,470 official losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 174,843 cases and 2,616 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 96,288,013 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,056,675. Already 68,860,956 people have recovered.

Face of the UK COVID response, Matt Hancock, who famously caught COVID as early as he could in the pandemic, is self-isolating after being alerted by the Test & Trace app. Remember that? Guess it's still live then. Wait. He's only got to isolate until Sunday? Guess Test &  Trace is live, but still pretty pants then.
As Matt doesn't have a frontline role and everything is shut, this may mean he wasn't careful, didn't socially distance and didn't attempt to protect the NHS. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 13th / 14th January 2021.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 13th / 14th January 2021.

UK official data is broken today. I'll seamlessly edit it in and add it in the comments when it is published, but there have been 48,682 more positive cases in the latest 24 hour reporting period.
A "data processing issue" is to blame according to Public Health England.

Rep. Of Ireland 159,144 cases and 2,460 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 93,229,269 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 1,994,359. Already 66,549,524 people have recovered.

There are now 3 "lineages of concern" or mutated variants which we have to keep an eye on - well, really it's mostly the scientists keeping an eye on them.  

1) - The UK variant B.1.1.1 which has now been located in at least 51 countries, and is the most populous strain in the UK,  and rising fast in Denmark. This strain has 2 important mutations - N501Y spike protein mutation, and a double deletion or missing part of the code at points H69 and V70. We believe this makes it around 50-70% more transmissible and removes an attack option for most current vaccines, but shouldn't make them less effective overall.

2) - The South African variant B.1.351/ 501Y.V2 has an identical gap in it's programming to the UK variant (69/70 deletion), the spike protein N501Y and a couple of other spike mutations. One of the other mutations, E484K was shown to 'escape' natural antibodies in a single patient, so it is a bit worrying and trials are ongoing to check it isn't resistant to vaccines. Like the UK variant, it is assumed to be more transmissible, but not more personally deadly.  It has been spotted in at least 16 countries, but is far less prevalent than the UK strain at the moment.

3) - The Brazilian variant P1 (20J/501Y.V3.) was first discovered in 4 travellers returning to Japan from Brazil, and has since been found in several Brazilian cases.
"We have detected a new variant circulating in December in Manaus, Amazonas state, north Brazil, where very high attack rates have been estimated previously. The new lineage, named P.1 (descendent of B.1.1.28), contains a unique constellation of lineage defining mutations, including several mutations of known biological importance such as E484K, K417T, and N501Y."
Because it has the same N501Y spike protein mutation as the other two, the obvious worry is that it is also likely to be more transmissible.
Because it has E484K like the South African variant, it is also being watched incredibly carefully until we are sure current vaccines will do the job.
No-one seems willing to say publicly yet what they believe K417T is likely to do, but it is another spike protein of concern.
(Remember vaccines can easily be tweaked, but it takes about 6 weeks plus the time, cost and resources needed to manufacture and distribute new vaccines). 

COVID UK News and Briefing with Boris 4th January 2021

COVID UK News and Briefing with Boris 4th January 2021

Stay at home.... 

Boris pre-recorded an address to the UK, which was shown this evening. 

He says that the restrictions would have worked against the old variant of the virus, but the new UK variant is frustrating, and all the science suggests it is between 50-70% more transmissible. "You are much, much more likely to catch the virus and pass it on."

As he speaks tonight, hospitals are under more pressure than at any other time. In England alone, the number pf patients has increased by nearly 1/3 in the last week, to almost 27,000. This is 40% higher than at the height of the first peak in April. 

On 29th December, over 80,000 people tested positive across the UK. The losses of life is up by 20% over the last week, and will sadly continue to rise, (as we have more and more people in hospital). 

Most of the country is already under extreme measures, but it's clear we need to do more to bring it under control while the vaccine is rolled out. 

In England we will have a national lockdown "tough enough to contain this variant".

- From midnight in England STAY AT HOME. You may only leave home for limited reasons permitted in law: shopping for essentials / medical assistance / exercise / "to work if you absolutely cannot work from home" and to escape domestic abuse. (All details will be on the gov dot uk website.)

- If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you need to start shielding (you'll get a letter)

- Education moves to remote provision from tomorrow. Primary, secondary and colleges - except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

- EVERYONE will still be able to access EARLY YEARS provision, such as nurseries.

- Next Summer's exams may not be possible or fair. The Education Secretary will work with OfQual to put in place alternative arrangements.

- We will provide extra support to ensure free school meals will still be available while schools are closed.

- More devices will be distributed to support remote education. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 1st / 2nd January 2021.

 COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 1st / 2nd January 2021.

The UK added 57,725 cases today (up from 30,501 on 27th December) and now has reported a total of 2,599,789 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 420,492 tests yesterday. 

23,823 people were in hospital on Monday 28th December (up from 20,917 a week earlier), with 1,847 using a ventilator (up from 1,529 six days earlier). 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 445 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days. We now very sadly have a total of 74,570 officially reported losses of life in all settings. (We haven't been getting all of the data over the Christmas and New Year period. Bear in mind numbers will bounce a little until around next Wednesday.)

Rep. Of Ireland 96,926 (+3,394) cases and 2,252 (+4) losses of life.

There have now been a total of 84,649,345 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 1,839,554. Already 59,838,067 people have recovered.

Happy new year! 

Well, it will be eventually. Let's hold that thought. 

So the new UK variant is causing a headache. It is transmitting quickly. Very quickly. Any areas without large numbers of new variant cases are likely to see it explode there too without pretty harsh measures. During lockdown while the regular cases stayed low and controlled, and in many areas showed a fall, the new variant grew. It spread fast amongst students and children, and is most common in teenagers. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and UK Briefing 30th December 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and UK Briefing 30th December 2020.

Bad news, good news today, and the inevitable UK Briefing with Bozza. It really is a tale of two halves, and they're about as opposing as you can get, so please don't forget the good bits. We WILL get there. 

The UK added 50,023 new cases today and reported another 981 people have succumbed to COVID. Yes, that includes some backlog from Christmas, but these people have still tested positive, or been lost. I am sorry to every person who has lost someone they care for, including those of you among my own friends. This will touch everyone. 

The awesome news: The AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine has received approval from the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), so vaccinations can begin as soon as they can be arranged. 

The bad news: Case numbers are high (1 in every 70 people in the UK had COVID just before Christmas), hospitalisations dangerously so. Some Londoners have received text messages urging them to call 111 unless life is in immediate danger, because the system is really stretched. Matt Hancock has announced that from midnight tonight 23 more areas of the UK will move into Tier 4 restrictions - STAY AT HOME WHEN POSSIBLE. This affects over 20m people. Some other areas will also change Tiers upwards. 

From 1 minute past midnight TONIGHT: 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 29th December 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 29th December 2020.

The UK added 53,135 new cases today and now has reported a total of 2,382,865 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 357,238 tests yesterday. 

People in hospital with COVID on the UK Government dashboard hasn't been updated since 22,286 on 22nd December.
PHE reported 20,426 yesterday in England alone, up from 15,053 a fortnight earlier. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 414 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days. We now very sadly have a total of 71,567 officially reported losses of life in all settings. 

Rep. Of Ireland 86,894 cases and 2,205 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 81,994,887 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 1,787,952. Already 58,039,145 people have recovered.

Yes. Whatever words you exclaimed when you saw 53,000 new UK cases today, I agree. Totally. I wish I could offer some comfort, but the UK reported 41,000 new cases yesterday. Although there will be some Christmas 'catch up', it doesn't cover it. We knew this was coming. Straighten your skirt, look straight ahead, deep breath, and let's keep going. We can do this.

The UK now has more people hospitalised due to COVID than during the first peak in Spring 2020. The hospital situation in London is under pressure and getting an increasing amount of press this afternoon, as hospital staff speak out. They are shattered and demoralised, and they have already been asked to take on extra shifts to cover workload over Christmas and New Year. 

An Oxford Paramedic has appeared on Sky News this afternoon stating that 'Ambulances are queuing outside of hospitals, patients are being cared for in the ambulances and there are patients out in the community that don't get an ambulance response because there's simply none left to send.' 
There have been mention of triage tents being set up temporarily outside some hospitals. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News weekend update 12th / 13th September 2020.

 COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News weekend update 12th / 13th September 2020. 

The UK added 3,330 cases today and now has reported a total of 368,504 positive cases of COVID-19. We reported 3,497 yesterday. Last Saturday and Sunday we reported 2,593 and 2,988. It's up by almost 1/3. 

884 people were in hospital on Thursday 10th, with 79 using a ventilator on Friday 11th. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 5 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days. We now very sadly have a total of 41,628 officially reported losses of life in all settings.

England 318,121 / 36,964
Northern Ireland 8,314 / 568
Scotland 22,679 / 2,499
Wales 19,390 / 1,597

Rep. Of Ireland 30,730 cases and 1,784 (+1) losses of life. (Not yet reported cases today.) 

There have now been a total of 29,107,970 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 926,910. Already 20,947,030 people have recovered.

"We may not get back to our normal lives until the end of 2021."
Dr Anthony Fauci, US COVID lead, being very brutal and honest about when it's likely the US, and a lot of the world, are going to be able to put the face masks away, or go to a packed theatre etc, without risk of catching COVID. 

Hope school reopening is going well for you. We had 3 cases already in my 2 sons' schools by close of play on Friday. Awesome. My kids however were delighted to be back. 

The Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine trial has resumed. Whatever adverse event the UK patient suffered - and they can't really tell us because of patient confidentiality laws - independent scrutiny has found it not to be a reason to stop the trial, or consider the vaccine unsafe. Good stuff. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 1st/2nd July 2020.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 1st/2nd July 2020.

The UK added 576 cases today and now has reported a total of 283,757 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 252,084 tests yesterday. 3,539 people are in hospital (30th June), 259 patients are using a ventilator (1st July). 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we reported another 89 people who have died after testing positive to COVID-19. We now very sadly have a total of 43,995 losses of life in all settings.

England 243,910 / 39,434

Scotland 18,264 / 2,486

Wales 15,815 / 1,524

Northern Ireland 5,768 / 551

Rep. Of Ireland 25,489 (+12) cases and 1,738 losses of life.

There have now been a total of 10,905,501 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 521,120. Already 6,086,464 people have recovered.

"Every person needs to look at your own risk. You need to be aware of what is the local transmission, you need to know 'what the transmission in my area is'. We do this every day of our lives as human beings. We manage risk, we decide when we cross the road, we decide when we fly, we decide when we have an operation or not have an operation. 

What we need is the information to make those risk based decisions. We need to gain the knowledge to be able to make good decisions. 

We decide on our proximity to other individuals. We decide on the intensity of our social engagement. We decide how long we spend in that environment. We can be advised by government, we can be advised by science, but in the end this comes down to personal motivation and personal choice. 

But in the end it comes down to individuals and communities. If it doesn't feel safe, it isn't safe for you."

Dr Mike Ryan, World Health Organisation. 

Gavin Williamson's English school reopening plan has been announced, and I for one don't like it. So there. I try and remain impartial when I report, and it's longer than War & Peace, so I'll do my best to lay out just the salient points:

1. All pupils, in all year groups, will return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term.

2. Office of National Statistics analysis suggests that staff in educational settings tend not to be at any greater risk from the disease. (But only keyworkers children were in school when that data was collected??)

Build Your Own Telescope Kit Review age 8+ (Sent for review)

The Build Your Own Telescope is a really fantastic set with a very beautiful telescope, but much more than that, you learn how a telescope works as you build, and along with that learn about light, reflection, construction and engineering! It's an all round STEM toy, and we were sent one to review. 

We love our STEM toys and all things space, so the Build Your Own Telescope really caught the attention of my 11 year old son. He was so excited he built it within 48 hours of it arriving. Everything is paper, the only plastic parts are the lenses, so it's an incredibly eco-conscious toy. 

Even the packaging is a cleverly designed cardboard box, which is folded to protect the lenses during transit. 

Inside the very small box is everything you'll need. 29 slot together cardboard parts, magnification lens, eyepiece lens, mirror and easy-to-follow instruction leaflet. 

Ad | Sudocrem Back To The Garden Indoor/Outdoor Growing Kit Giveaway.

This Summer we're working with Sudocrem on their Back To The Garden campaign - to encourage families to get growing, whether you have a garden, a yard, a balcony or a window.

Most of us are temporary teachers to our children, supporting their learning whether your school is sending work online, you are following the BBC Bitesize lessons, printing off worksheets or something else. We all take in much more information when it's fun, and growing your own plants is incredibly rewarding, as well as being a perfect opportunity to learn.

Long term projects are important right now. They give us a focus and something to look forward to. They can also offer some control in a world of uncertainty. Gardening is a brilliant way to get away from screens and focus on life.

Sudocrem gave away 100 growing kits to families, and they also gave away 3 to my readers. The kits are worth around £40 each, and have everything you need to get started, including seeds, gloves and gardening tools - and of course some Sudocrem to soothe a gardener's skin that's been scratched, prickled or stung, or just become dry from handwashing.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 6th April 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News update 6th April 2020

The UK added 3,802 cases today and now has reported a total of 51,608 positive cases of COVID-19. We had in total tested 208,837 people as of 9am this morning.

As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised in the UK, we have lost another 439 people to COVID-19. We now sadly have a total of 5,373 losses of life.

Total cases are: England 42,990, Scotland 3,961, Wales 3,499 and Northern Ireland 1,158. We've so far only reported 135 of the UK's positive testing cases have recovered, but it's more likely to be in the region of 15,000-35,000, so it'll be brilliant when they do report it.

Rep. Of Ireland have 5,364 cases and 174 losses of life.

There have now been 1,323,605 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is now 73,608. Already 277,280 people have recovered.

Mother, Grandma and longest serving British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has addressed her subjects in a special message, just the 4th of her 68 year reign. She reminded us this is a fight, and that we may be apart from loved ones, but it won't be forever.
"We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."

Boris Johnson is still in hospital and has sent us this message:
"Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe."
"I’d like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain. Stay safe everyone, and please remember to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives."

Bandai STEM Kits - Glowing Crystals and Sea Monkeys (Sent for review by Bandai)

This month Bandai have sent us two more of their STEM educational kits for review. The National Geographic Green Crystal Growing Lab (age 8+) and the Sea Monkeys Ocean Zoo (age 6+).

National Geographic Green Crystal Growing Lab (age 8+) allows you to grow a glow-in-the-dark pale green crystal. You are supplied with everything you need except water and a suitable container, and it's a really easy kit to get started.

In the pack are growing powder, a seed rock, stirring stick, real Fluorite crystal, magnifying glass and a learning guide with the instructions. Packaged entirely in cardboard and the pull out cardboard tray is super handy for containing any mess while you work.