The Artemis Program

Hello everybody!  How are you?  We hope that you are enjoying early spring.  I can't wait to go outside more and take a walk in the comfortable weather.  By the way, did you catch the beautiful full moon on April 2nd in Japan?  We were able to see cherry blossoms and a full moon at the same time!  The sight was truly beautiful! Speaking of the Moon, today, we would like to share some exciting news from NASA about a recent program that is taking humans far into space.   

The Artemis program is a plan by NASA to send humans back to the Moon. The last time people walked on the Moon was during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing in 1969. This time, the goal is not only to visit, but to stay longer and learn more. Artemis also aims to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon.

The program includes several missions. Artemis I launched in November 2022 and tested the rocket without astronauts. Artemis II is happening now in April 2026. It launched at the beginning of the month and is carrying astronauts on a journey around the Moon. They have already flown far from Earth, traveled around the Moon, and are now on their way back. The next mission, Artemis III, plans to land astronauts on the Moon.

Scientists want to return to the Moon to learn more about space and prepare for future missions, like going to Mars. The Moon may also have useful resources, such as ice that can be turned into water or fuel. The Artemis program is still happening today, and Artemis II is an important step showing that humans can travel deep into space and safely return home.

What do you think of the Artemis program?  Please share your thoughts on space travel when you visit BRIDGE again!  Take care and have a great week. 

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Kimchi to the Rescue

Hello everybody!  Cherry blossom season has arrived, but make sure to go and see them before they disappear for the year!  Golden Week is also approaching quickly.  Do you have any plans?  I will stay in Nagoya this year and enjoy a staycation with my family.  

For today's blog post, we want to explore a health issue that affects everybody around the world.  However, it's possible that a delcious solution has been discovered to solve the problem. 

Scientists have found tiny pieces of plastic called microplastics and nanoplastics in nature and even inside our bodies. Some studies say people may take in up to 120,000 tiny pieces of plastic each year. You may have also heard that our bodies can contain about 7 grams of plastic, which is about the weight of a credit card. Scientists are worried about what this could do to our health.

Nanoplastics are especially concerning because they are so small. They can travel through the body and reach organs like the brain, heart, and liver. Scientists still do not fully understand how harmful they are, but they believe there could be risks in the future.

A new study shows that bacteria from kimchi, a Korean fermented food, may help remove these tiny plastics from the body. Researchers found a microbe that can stick to nanoplastics in the gut. The body can then safely remove them as waste. Scientists hope this discovery will help reduce plastic in our bodies and plan to keep studying kimchi.

What did you think of this topic?  Please discuss this with your teachers when you visit BRIDGE again. 

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The Oscars

Hello everybody!  The first day of spring is rapidly approaching and so are the beautiful cherry blossoms.  Please go outside and enjoy this wonderful time in Japan.  Today, we are going to talk about a famous awards ceremony that just happened in America last weekend.  

The Academy Awards are one of the biggest nights in movies. In 2026, the 98th Oscars were held in Hollywood to honor films from 2025. The event is run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and winners receive a gold statue called an Oscar. Many people around the world watch to see which movies and actors win.

At the 2026 Oscars, the biggest winner was One Battle After Another. It won Best Picture, the top award of the night. The director, Paul Thomas Anderson, won Best Director. The award for Best Actor went to Michael B. Jordan for his role in Sinners. Best Actress was won by Jessie Buckley for her role in Hamnet. These winners were praised for their strong performances and storytelling.

There were also important nominees from around the world. The Japanese film Kokuho was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 2026 Oscars. However, it did not win. Even so, being nominated for an Academy Award is a big honor. It shows that the film’s makeup and design were among the best in the world.

Have you seen any of these amazing films from 2025?  If so, let's discuss this topic when you come to Bridge again.  Enjoy the beginning of spring and have a great day. 

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