A MENTORING (导师制) program is giving life changing opportunities to Banbury youth.

    Young Inspirations was founded two years ago to provide mentoring sessions for students and unemployed young adults aged 11 to 21.

    Alex Goldberg, the program's founder, said; "We set up Young Inspirations because we wanted to give young people experiences which will potentially be life changing and broaden their outlook.

    "We try to create work experience opportunities that will really make a difference to our youth. For example, we've secured internships (实习) with world-famous firms such as Honda.

    "At a time of funding cutbacks where schools are finding it more and more difficult to offer this kind of mentoring, it is extremely important that these opportunities are available both to help youth with their school work and grades and to give them opportunities which may help shape their futures. " Kieran Hepburn, 14, is one of a group of Banbury youth who has benefited from the program so far. In October the Banbury School pupil was accompanied by Young Inspirations staff to Paris where he was an observer at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) International Youth Forum (论坛).

    The event was held for young people from around the world, to seek their views on how the future of youth and education should look. Kieran joined several hundred observers mostly in their 20s and was the only UK school pupil to attend the event. Kieran thinks the trip was a life changing experience. " Before we left I didn't quite know what to make of it but when we got there we didn't stop, it was amazing," he said, " We went to three or four hours of debates each day and then did something cultural each afternoon. "

    The main theme of the forum was how youth can drive change in political and public life. It dealt with issues (问题) such as drug abuse, violence and unemployment.

    Kieran said: " It has really helped me to improve my confidence and social skills as well as my school grades and I was voted most improved pupil at school in August. "

    The Young Inspirations mentoring sessions take place each Friday in Banbury. For details visit www.younginspirations.com.

John keeps a record of new words and expressions in English. He usually writes them in a note-book. Then, later in the day, he asks his teacher about them. “Mrs. Thomas, these expressions are new to me. ‘She's blue today.'， ‘You're yellow', ‘A little white lie', ‘She has green fingers'.” After looking at the note-book, Mrs. Thomas says, “In everyday English, John，‘blue' sometimes means sad. ‘Yellow' means afraid. A person with ‘green fingers' grows plants successfully. And ‘a white lie' is not a bad lie.” “I don't understand. Please give me an example.” “ For example, I offer you some cake. The truth is that you don't like my cake. You don't say that. Instead, you say, ‘No, thanks, I'm not hungry.' That's a white lie.” John says, “I see , thanks for the explanation!”

2018 Music Festivals, UK

    The Green Gathering

    Date:15^th Aug. —22^nd Aug.

    Location: Chepstow Center

    Details: Over 100 live bands plus DJs on five private solar-powered stages. A wonderful site in a wooded area of outstanding natural beauty. 8 days of inspiration and relaxation are about traditional crafts, campaign stalls(活动摊位), and a magical kids' area.

    Sport Beat Music Festival

    Date: 20^th Aug. —29^th Aug.

    Location: Oxstalls Sports Park

    Details: Time for fun in the sun with Sport Beat. The festival is for those who wish there are volleyball and netball games that take place over the weekend. Attractions include: ball coaching, food village, and bars. Please see details for VIP passes on our website.

    Creamfields Festival

    Date: 26^th Aug.—28^th Aug.

    Location: Daresbury Court

    Details: Creamfields is the world's leading dance music festival. Creamfields is famous for many things, not just its traditional world class dancing but its unbeatable atmosphere! The festival mixes together style breaking pioneers from across the DJ and live music spectrum(声谱).

    Wilkestock Charity(慈善)Music Festival

    Date: 27^th Aug.—31^st Aug.

    Location: Wilkestock Stadium

    Details: With entertainment this year from mystery jets to a huge electronic lineup(阵容), this festival keeps turning up the heat year on year while keeping all profits donated direct to charity.

    Many animal and plant species have become extinct and many more are in critical danger. Finding ways to protect the earth's wildlife and conserve the natural world they inhabit (居住) is now more important than ever.

    Dodo

    The Dodo is a classic example of how human caused damage to the earth's biology. The flightless Dodo was native to the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It lived off fruit fallen from the island's trees and lived unthreatened until humans arrived in 1505. The easily controlled bird became a source of food for sailors and was attacked by animals introduced to the island by humans such as pigs, monkeys and rats. The population of Dodos rapidly decreased and the last one was killed in 1681.

    Rhinos

    The Rhino (犀牛) horn is a highly prized item for Asian medicine. This has led to the animal being hunted in its natural habitat. Once widespread in Africa and Eurasia, most Rhinos now live in protected natural parks and reserves (保护区). Their numbers have rapidly decreased in the last 50 years, and the animals remain under constant threat from poachers (偷猎者).

    The Giant Panda

    The future of the World Wildlife Fund's symbol is far from certain. As few as 1, 000 remain in the wild. The Chinese government has set up 33 panda reserves to protect these beautiful animals and made poaching them punishable with 20 years in prison. However, the panda's distinct black and white patched coat fetches a high price on the black market and determined poachers still pose (造成) one of the most serious threats to the animals continued existence.

    Whales

    The International Whaling Commission is fighting to ensure the survival of the whale species. Despite the fact that one-third the world's oceans have been declared whale sanctuaries (保护区), 7 out of 13 whale species remain endangered. Hunted for their rich supply of oil, their numbers have decreased to just 300. Collisions with ships, poisonous pollution and being caught in fishing nets are other major causes of whale deaths.

    Tigers

    The last 100 years has seen a 95% reduction in the numbers of remaining tigers to between 5, 000 and 7, 000 and the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers are already extinct. The South China tiger is precariously close to disappearing, with only 20 to 30 still alive. Like the Rhino horn, tigers' bones and organs are sought after for traditional Chinese medicines. These items are traded illegally along with tiger skins.

    Theme parks are magical places where adults can act like children and kids have the time of their lives. Here are the top four theme parks across the world.

    Ferrari World－Yas Island. Abu Dhabi

    Abu Dhabi in the Middle East is home to the world's largest indoor theme park. The main attraction is the Ferrari Rossa-officially the fastest roller coaster in the world. The ride goes from 0 to 240 kilometres per hour in less than five seconds. The force is so strong that those daring enough to go on it have to wear safety glasses.

    Tickets:￡ 40 per adult and half price for children under 1.2 metres tall.

    Alton Towers-Staffordshire, England

    Alton Towers is the most visited theme park in the UK. The park offers thrilling rides such as the popular 800-metre long horror roller coaster. Or if you're interested in experiencing the sense of flying, head for the famous Airflying, where you'll need to avoid objects and trees as you fly. The park also has many other attractions, including live shows.

    Tickets:￡ 43 per adult and ￡21 per child. Children under the age of 3 get in for free.

    Disneyland Paris－Paris, France

    Disneyland Paris' two theme parks create a fantasy world that both children and adults can enjoy. Disneyland Park gives girls the chance to meet their favourite Disney Princesses and to explore Sleeping Beauty's castle. Exciting roller coasters will keep the whole family entertained for hours on end.

    Tickets: ￡34 per adult and ￡27 per child. Children under the age of 3 get in for free.

    Oakwood Theme Park－Pembrokeshire, Wales

    For those who are eager to experience speedy(高速的)turns and drops, this is the park for you. Be daring and go on the Megaphobia roller coaster, a wooden coaster making you scream.

    Tickets:￡ 38 for adults, ￡ 20 per child. Children under 3 years get in for free.

Emilia Dobek traces her interest in space and the universe back to third grade when she and her father watched a blood moon — a total lunar eclipse (月食) — on the roof of their house.

Now a seventh grader at East Prairie Elementary School, Dobek recently won the national Discovery Education Lockheed Martin Beyond Challenge by designing a space station for travelling to Mars.

She says that night watching the lunar eclipse started a strong desire in her that has yet to run out of fuel. So when her teacher Andrea Smeeton received information about the national challenge, Smeeton said she immediately had one student in mind.

"I knew she would love the challenge and that she would go way beyond in her search," Smeeton said. "She immediately started researching bone density (密度) of astronauts and how to have food on Mars. "

"My design will ensure the safety of the astronauts and make sure their comfort is out of this world," Dobek says.

Dobek's design calls for building the MSS or Mars Storage Station to put the supplies in. It also includes the SGF or Self-Growing Farm, and she details how it would work with the elements on Mars.

Then there is physical and leisure activity for the astronauts under Dobek's design. A simulator (模拟装置) allows astronauts to choose their exercise machine and virtual reality environment. Rooms have circular ceilings so astronauts will be able to watch downloaded shows and even see places on Earth, such as their homes.

"I want to tell other kids to follow their passions," Dobek said. "Whatever they want to do, they should push for it and always try their best."