>> here's what's coming up on this edition of "teen kids news." >> you can run for fun, but it's even better when you're running for a great cause, as well. >> perhaps no other state combines so much history with so much future. >> in "speak of the week," one of the most difficult issues facing our future. >> did you ever want to create your own comic book? i'll tell you how you can. >> gum stays in your stomach for years -- fact or myth? we'll check out some unhealthy misinformation. >> in case of an emergency, you need to have more than just some bandages in the house. i'll tell you what should fit in a good first-aid kit. >> at universal orlando, we'll

take the new "despicable me" attraction for a test-ride. >> all that and more, next on "teen kids news." >> welcome to "teen kids news." i'm mwanzaa. >> and i'm livia. here's this week's top story. >> for some of us, running is a sport. for others, it's good exercise. but katie reports on some teens who are using running to help others who are less fortunate. >> it's not often that a race begins with cheerleaders. >> all: hey, greenwich, get fired up! >> runners, set! [ starting pistol fires ] >> but this is not your typical race. it's a community fundraising event. it's organized to a great extent by teens. >> i'm here to help out at save the children, and they're

a really remarkable organization. and they raise funds to support different programs -- education, health programs -- all over the world to help children and make them healthier. >> every year in greenwich, connecticut, members of the teen council of save the children put on their running shoes and roll up their sleeves. >> the teens volunteer, and they help along the road, and the teens also run the race. and they help some of the younger children run, as well, and they encourage. and some of the teens are here cheerleading. >> the teens say they volunteer to help out because they appreciate how lucky they are to live in america. >> we've all been given opportunities that a lot of kids around the world have not been, and i think i'd be remiss if i were to sort of squander that opportunity, to not help others achieve the same potential and get the same opportunities that i've been given. >> i'm here today to support save the children in its mini marathon. it's a great cause, and i love doing it. >> the course is a 2 1/2-mile

run through a local park. the event is open to people of all ages. and it's okay if you walk. what's important is supporting a good cause. save the children helps kids in many different ways -- providing food, shelter, medicine, and a brighter future. >> we train health care workers for a very low cost. so these health workers are actually able to help kids around the world for the rest of their lives, due to the training that save the children provides. [ cheers and applause ] >> while crossing the finish line earns each runner a medal, the true prize is knowing you took steps to help others. >> it was good. i had fun. it was tiring, though. [ camera shutter clicks ] >> and let's not forget that there were other winners, as well -- the teens organizers who worked hard to make the fundraiser a runaway success. >> there's still lots ahead, so stay with us. >> we'll be right back.

>> wisdom is handed down from generation to generation. but sometimes, so is misinformation. eden has the facts about some of the advice we all grew up with. >> how many times have you heard this -- "don't go outside with your hair wet. you'll catch a cold." do you think that's true? >> yeah, i do think it's the truth. >> yes. >> why? >> because your hair's wet, and it's cold outside. >> yes. >> why? >> because i've done that before, and i got a cold. >> yeah, my hair froze once when i was coming back from swim practice. >> if you go outside with wet hair, you are inviting a bad hair day, but you're not inviting a cold. >> scientists in england found that warning just doesn't hold water. >> that's just one of the health myths checked out by realsimple.com. here are some others. gum stays in your stomach for seven years.

do you believe that one? >> yes. >> why? >> 'cause it's sticky. >> no, i think you digest it. >> file this one under myth. the experts say your digestive system does dissolve gum, though it might take a few days. but don't make a habit of swallowing it. eat an apple instead. after all, "an apple a day keeps... >> the doctor away. >> and not just apples. there are all kinds of fruits that are better for us than candy and cookies. and the healthier you are, the less you'll need to see the doctor. so this one is true, as long as you don't overdo it. want a good night's sleep? they say warm milk will help, and it does contain a substance called tryptophan, which can make you drowsy. however, the experts say you'll have to drink gallons for it to work. what does help is a nightly routine that lets your brain and body know it's bedtime. a glass of milk can be a part of

that, but don't forget to turn off the computer or tv at least an hour before turning in. okay, one more -- to get rid of hiccups, have someone startle you. >> walk up behind them and just "boo!" >> sorry! that has not been proved to be medically effective. >> boo. >> the moral of this story is, just because you hear something again and again, doesn't mean it's true. take the time to do a little research and find out the facts. >> knowing what to do in case of an emergency is important. that's why we're working with the american red cross to bring you this special series on first aid. >> today we're talking first-aid kits. to walk us through the "must haves" is lipica shah, from the american red cross. so, where do we begin?

>> well every home needs to have at least one portable first-aid kit, and it should be in a place that's easily accessible to everybody, and everybody should know what that place is. kits can come ready-made, containing lots of items, or you can make one yourself and customize it. but every kit needs to have a few basic items, like a first-aid guide. this is your one-stop shop for every skill, every injury, every illness that you might need. so you don't have to worry about what to do. it's all in the guide. you should also have bandages of various sizes... and some antiseptic wipes, or alcohol wipes, to clean a wound. you should also have some gauze. gauze comes in different sizes, so you can kind of decide what you might need for your own needs. then you need a compress, something that you can break to make something cool. a pair of scissors to cut tape,

if necessary. a cpr breathing barrier or face shield is a really good idea to have, especially if you have cpr training. then it's always on you and you don't have to worry about it. >> and what would you use that for? >> if you ever have to give mouth-to-mouth care to somebody -- the cpr breaths, for example -- it's a really good way to prevent disease transmission, so it might as well be in your kit. same thing with gloves. gloves are a wonderful tool to prevent disease transmission, and especially if you're dealing with something like a bleeding wound, you want to protect yourself and the other person. so at least one pair of gloves in your kit. every kit must also have emergency phone numbers written down so you don't have to think about them in the event of an emergency. this particular card also includes a section for medications that you might be taking. and you should also be sure that your own personal medications, anything that you might need, are in the kit itself, as well. if everything's in one place, then you don't have to worry about searching for items that you might need if an emergency does occur.

>> you should also know that the red cross has an app that gives first-aid information. it's free and works on smartphones. here's one more tip. you need to check your kit a couple of times a year. many of the items lose their effectiveness over time and will need to be replaced, so check those expiration dates. for "tkn," i'm alexa. >> most of us rely on maps or gps to navigate. humpback whales have an internal navigation system, and scientists say it's amazing. whales were tagged and tracked as they traveled to and from feeding areas. despite ocean currents, wind, and waves, they can do a thousand-mile trip in almost a perfectly straight line. try that on an interstate! on second thought, don't.

>> let's get your opinion in "speak of the week."

>> japan is still dealing with the aftermath of the terrible accident at their nuclear-reactor plant. that raises this question -- should the u.s. still use nuclear power? >> i don't think we should because what happened in japan was really unexpected. so if we continue using nuclear power, we never know what could happen. >> after the reactor meltdown in japan, should the u.s. still use nuclear power? >> no, because nuclear power can be dangerous, and if you use nuclear power, there is the chance that the reactors can melt down, and it can harm people within the area, and there can be long-lasting effects from radiation afterwards, so it's not very good idea to use nuclear power. >> i do not think so, because after a meltdown like that, you don't want to take any more chances. >> i don't know. i think it's very important. i think that we do need a large

power source. do i think it's safe? not really, but i guess it's what's needed for what we need right now as a country. >> well, there's a lot more alternative-energy resources out there, but it's also an issue of lack of funds and lack of space, and nuclear power does have benefits, but it's also extremely detrimental to the environment, so i think we should continue to wean our self off of that source and look into more environmentally friendly sources. >> there's no easy answer. drilling for oil can result in environmental disasters like the one recently in the gulf of mexico. and burning coal can add pollution to our air. while no one can guarantee that nuclear power plants can be completely safe, most experts agree plants can be designed to be safer than they are today. >> we see them all the time, but very few of us look closely, so here's this week's "flag facts."

>> it's home to the oldest european settlement in north america -- st. augustine. it's where our rockets boldly launch into the final frontier. and if you prefer to boldly go a bit closer to earth, it's the nation's top destination for amusement parks. >> florida. >> florida. >> florida. >> like many state flags, florida features the state seal in the center. it used to be over a white background, but around 1900, the governor asked for the red cross to be added. he thought the mostly white flag suggested surrender. florida's flag honors the original residents -- the seminole indians. it also celebrates the abundant sunshine, shoreline, and greenery. not pictured here is the spanish influence on the state. >> of course, everyone knows that christopher columbus came to the new world with the support of queen isabella and the spanish, but what many people don't know is that

ponce de leon came with him. he travelled to the new world in 1493, and he returned 20 years later in search of the fountain of youth. >> he didn't find the fountain of youth, but ponce de leon did give the spanish colony its name -- "la florida" -- in honor of the country's "feast of the flowers." and here's the story behind another famous name. a sports drink was invented at the university of florida, so it was named in honor of the school's athletes -- the gators. that's why it's called gatorade. with "flag facts," i'm brandon. >> it happens to the best of us -- you reach for the remote to go change the channel and it's gone. someone has actually taken the time to study where remotes usually wind up. the most likely place is under the sofa cushions. other common locations are -- in the bathroom, in a dresser, and even in the refrigerator. but if you're one of those who leaves the remote in the fridge, maybe it's time to turn off the tv.

>> it can be the best night of high school or the most tragic. i'll tell you why prom and the summer that follows it can have the potential for danger. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america... and to the republic for which it stands... one nation, under god... indivisible, with liberty... and justice for all. our disabled veterans pledged to sacrifice life and limb

to ensure our way of life. now, they deserve our support. find out how you can help disabled veterans in your community. visit dav.org. music i want some more. what's he doing? please sir, i want some more. more? he has asked for... thank you. well he did say please... yes he did. and thank you. please and thank you. pass it on. (crowd of children) thank you.

>> new research shows a mother's voice has a unique effect on her children. it creates a chemical reaction that can calm the kids down. here's why. the sound of your mother's voice causes your body to release a special hormone. scientists call it the love hormone, and they say this chemical acts like a hug or a cuddle. it can actually reduce stress. from now on on days i have a test, i'm gonna have my mom talk to me a lot. >> this report is sponsored by

the national road safety foundation. >> hey! how are you? >> hi! >> how excited are you? >> these teens are getting ready for the biggest night of the school year -- prom. [ camera shutter clicks ] >> i'm so excited i can't stand it. >> i've been waiting for this forever. [ tires screech ] >> actually, they're just pretending. >> take pictures! >> they're helping to create a video on driving safety to show high school students across the country. >> basically, we were just getting ready for prom, for prom night, and, you know, getting excited and kind of talking about our lives in high school and how things can get stressful. and then we went off to the prom. >> the program is sponsored by the national road safety foundation. >> we want to alert teens about the dangers of driving during the pre-prom season, prom night, and summer driving. >> the video uses student volunteers to act out the three scenarios, giving examples of the risky behaviors that can lead to car accidents. >> okay. it's all yours. go. >> first, the teens work with a director to record their lines.

>> did you hear that alyssa's mom wanted to chaperone tonight? >> then there was time for lights, camera, action! >> i'm gonna miss you guys next year. >> we're still gonna be friends, you guys. >> yeah. >> we'll always be there for each other, right? >> right! >> yeah! >> it was for safe driving for teens especially around the prom season. it's just so easy to get distracted either by school work or stress, being tired. >> for the prom dance scenes, students from freehold township high school in new jersey helped decorate their gym. to stress the importance of safe driving, the production team used a special effect called green screen. >> smile! and freeze! and step out of your shot, sir. >> add a little editing magic and you get this. >> let me take a picture of you two. [ tires screech ] [ siren wailing ] >> we want to have the kids fade out of the pictures to dramatize what can happen to them if they don't drive safely. >> i mean, prom, it's like a thing, like, everything looks

forward to and you just have to be careful, make good decisions. like, you have your whole life ahead of you and why waste it on a stupid mistake? >> the summer scenes were shot with volunteers from seminole ridge high school in florida. >> hey, man. you okay? >> working nights is tough, man. i feel tired all the time. >> me too. i'm usually online until way after midnight. >> i've been catching up on the tv i've missed during the school year. >> to drive home the point that car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, the producers came up with a special touch. during each scenario, the viewer's given clues to the difference driving dangers. th clues are spelled out. [ tape rewinding ] >> hey, is there room for me? >> sure, but you're gonna have to sit on somebody's lap. >> hey, man. want to scare the girls a little bit? >> yeah! floor it, man. [ cellphone ringing ] >> want me to answer it? >> please. i can multitask. >> oh, my allergies are acting

up. it makes my eyes water. >> turn it down! i'm trying to drive! >> sun's pretty bright. do you want my sunglasses? >> no. i can see pretty good. >> by the way, if you're a regular viewer of "teen kids news," you might have recognized a few of the actors. they're some of the teens who are reporters on our program. >> well, this was a lot different because usually i'm in front of the camera reporting an event. >> i loved pretending to get ready for prom 'cause i haven't had a prom yet, so it was fun. >> it was so much fun playing a character instead of reporting like i usually do. >> if you want to watch the complete video, check out the link on our website. and if you're going to prom, have fun but be safe. keep yourself in the picture. for "teen kids news," i'm scott. think again. the spot you missed could be a killer.

that spot on your skin could be skin cancer. if you're a man over 50, you're in a group most likely to develop skin cancer, including melanoma, the kind that kills one person every hour. that's why your best shot is to check for a spot. it's easy -- follow through and check your skin. go to spotskincancer.org to find out how. a message from the american academy of dermatology. um] ♪[tum] ♪[tum] ♪[tum] ♪[tum] ♪[tum] ♪[tum] [phone ring,] car brakes hard [phone ring] [car crash] glass shatters [sirens] this video was submitted by a student through the safety scholars program. for more information on teen safety visit driversedge.org.

of the united states of america... and to the republic for which it stands... one nation, under god... indivisible, with liberty... and justice for all. our disabled veterans pledged to sacrifice life and limb to ensure our way of life. now, they deserve our support. find out how you can help disabled veterans in your community. visit dav.org. >> there's no end to the amazing ways to spend time online. just click this.

>> in comic books, superheroes battle evil to save the world, and if you've ever wanted to help, here's your chance, thanks to marvel.com. once you get to the home page, scroll down to "extras." click on "create your own comic." the site gives you all the things you need. first, decide what page layout you want. then choose your superheroes and villains. you can create sound effects, add backgrounds, and even write dialogue. when you've finished creating your comic, you can print it or e-mail it to friends. for comic book fans, i can sum up this site in one word -- marvel-ous! with "click this," i'm harry. >> there are lots of villains you love to hate, but there's only one villain you love to love, and as nicole reports, he wants your help. >> at universal orlando resort, one of the newest attractions is

"despicable me minion mayhem," based on the popular animated movie. so, on this ride, what exactly does the visitor experience? >> guests get to actually go into the world of gru, which we're very, very excited about, and as you can see from the lines, they're loving it. but we've re-created a dimensional environment where you can enter with gru and margo, edith, and agnes, and, of course, fabulous minions. >> what's a minion? >> it's like a little yellow thing that helps gru with his lab and stuff. >> and the best part is, you are turned into a minion. we take our guests and we transform you into minions. >> it's so cool. i want to be one. >> gru has a new event that he wants to create, and you're here to help him do that. and, of course, you go through the training -- the girls take you through the training. >> you're now in the minion training grounds. >> whoa! whoa! >> this is where we test your strength, speed, and ability to not die. >> it's a wild, wild experience, but it's great because it's an

entire family experience. >> look out, minions! don't get fly-swatted! >> it was awesome! i loved it. >> what'd you like about it? >> i love the minions. they're my favorite. >> how was the ride? >> it was awesome. >> amazing. i loved it. >> it's not over when the ride ends because you get to go and experience a minion dance party. so everybody celebrates. you're dancing with the minions. you're dancing with the dancers, with gru. it's a great time. >> would you recommend this attraction to someone coming to universal orlando? >> yes, definitely. it's for all ages. i think little kids and even adults would love it, 'cause it's super fun and it's not scary or anything. but it's really fun and funny. >> aah! >> you, too, can join gru. come today and become a minion! this is a good look! you have to try it, right? everyone. >> dats-speaka! if you loved the movie "despicable me," you'll love this attraction. it has both heart and humor. at universal orlando, for "tkn," i'm nicole. [ dance music plays ] >> ♪ i called the doctor from my

telephone ♪ ♪ said "doctor, doctor, please, i, i, i... ♪ >> that's our program for this week. thanks for joining us. >> and, of course, "teen kids news" will be back again next week, so we'll see you then.

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