Fun Facts: Popsicles, Space Rocks, and Giant Snails

Who Invented the Popsicle?

In 1923, Frank Epperson applied for a patent for a fun new invention: the popsicle. According to legend, when Epperson was just 11 years old, he mixed a sweet drink with a stick and left it outside on the porch overnight. The next morning, he discovered that it had frozen and the first homemade popsicle was born! Whether or not this story is completely true, one thing is certain: popsicles became an international favorite and are still enjoyed all over the world today.

Asteroid vs. Meteor: What’s the Difference?

Out in space, far beyond Earth, many kinds of celestial objects are floating around. Can you tell the difference between the most common ones? An asteroid is a small rocky object that orbits the sun, much like a tiny planet. Sometimes, these asteroids enter Earth’s atmosphere. As they heat up during entry, they create a bright streak of light we call a meteor, what many people refer to as a “shooting star.” If a piece of the asteroid actually survives the trip and lands on the ground, it’s called a meteorite.

What’s the Largest Snail in the World?

The biggest snail in the world is the Giant African Snail. These snails can grow to be 15–20 centimeters long! As the name suggests, they’re mostly found in Africa. They eat leaves and insects, and they reproduce very quickly, each snail can lay up to 1,000 eggs every year. These giant snails have also spread to other parts of the world, sometimes by accident or illegal smuggling. In those places, they’re considered an invasive species because they can harm local ecosystems.