KSAT Kids: Flu season arrives just as more children are returning to classroom

Student Spotlight highlights 13-year-old Joanna Sohn, who was named a top STEM student

(Janine Vincent)

Hello parents, teachers and students!

Fall is officially here, even though the temperatures in San Antonio may not exactly feel like it. But with this change of season also comes flu season, and this year it also happens to be in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic and when thousands more students are scheduled to return to the classroom.

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To that end, Texas health officials are advising parents to make sure their children get their annual flu vaccines to try and help diminish a possible surge in hospitalizations. They’re also hoping good hygiene practices will continue, reducing the worst of it.

In this week’s KSAT Kids' student spotlight, we highlight 13-year-old Joanna Sohn, who was named a Top 30 finalist for Broadcom MASTERS, a national middle school STEM competition. Her work with small roundworms and how certain probiotics might help after an infection caught the eyes of judges.

Are you looking for a fun educational activity for your kids? Well check out Meteorologist Kaiti Blake’s latest home science lab, this time an egg drop challenge that teaches students about inertia and gravity. You can watch as KSAT12′s David Sears cracks an egg trying to do it!

And don’t forget, KSAT Kids has recently teamed up with the San Antonio International Airport in the creation of a coloring book campaign and we want your colored pictures. We showed the first round of pictures on air last week, so send one in -- we’ll try and show it during the GMSA@9 newscast.

For those students seeking additional schooling help, the San Antonio Public Library is offering back-to-school resources to help with their lessons. We also have a list of places offering free Wi-Fi for students and their families during the pandemic.

Stay safe and wash your hands, everybody!

-Ben Spicer

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Do you have an idea for a lesson or feedback? Email me at Bspicer@ksat.com with new content, lessons, story ideas or tips!

Here’s what can be found on KSAT Kids for Thursday, September 24:

Student Spotlight

San Antonio 13-year-old named one of nation’s top STEM students

Joanna Sohn, a student at Keystone School, was named a finalist for Broadcom MASTERS, a program that encourages middle school students to translate their interests into a passion for STEM.

Joanna Sohn, a 13-year old STEM student from San Antonio has been named one of the most promising middle school STEM students in the country. (KSAT)

Do you know a classroom or school that is doing amazing work and deserves to be featured in KSAT Kids? Nominate a student, teacher or school by emailing ksatkids@ksat.com.

Student activities

KSAT Kids Home Science: Egg Drop Challenge

Are you looking for something fun to do at home that has a little bit of science behind it? Well, check out this awesome at-home demonstration from Sciencebob.com that teaches about inertia and gravity!

KSAT Kids Home Science: Egg Drop Challenge

Trick-or-Treat in September at annual San Antonio Zoo Boo, including drive-through option

The annual San Antonio Zoo Boo event is back and just in time for all things fall and Halloween.

Where to find pumpkin patches around the San Antonio area

Now that it’s officially fall, pumpkin patches are starting to pop up in San Antonio and the surrounding areas.

Pumpkin patch (Pexels)

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About the Author:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.