The human machine

Winner:

A machine makes it easier to do various types of work. Humans also have a machine to help them do all kinds of work. Inside the body is a skeleton of bones which has different jobs to do.

It supports the body and helps to keep its shape. It also protects the delicate organs inside the body (for example, the spinal chord, a group of nerves which carry messages to and from the brain to the lower part of the body, is protected by the backbone). Working along with the muscles, it helps to move our body.

The bones in the skeleton come in different shapes and sizes. There are flat bones like the shoulder blade, rod shaped bones like the thigh bone and ring shaped bones in the backbone. The largest bone is the thigh bone and the smallest bones are in the ear; hammer, anvil and stirrup. The stirrup bone is the smallest of these three. It is only 3mm long.

All bones are strong. This is important because the bones have to stand all kinds of blows and pressure. Bones are generally light. This too is important as it would be difficult to move around if they were heavy. The outer part of a bone is made of a hard dense substance.

The inside is hollow in a living bone. The hollow is filled with soft bone marrow. The bone has holes (pores) in it, making it like a hard sponge.

When talking of the human machine, we have to speak of the muscles as well. The muscles control all 206 bones of the skeletal system. When the brain sends a message to the muscles to work, the muscle contracts (shortens). As this happens, the muscle pulls the bone.

Muscles can’t push. They only work by pulling. This is why muscles are usually found in pairs. One muscle pulls in one direction and the other pulls in the opposite direction. This way muscles help movement.

Joints are formed whenever two bones meet. There are two kinds of joints. They are the ‘hinge joint’ and ‘ball-and-socket joint’. In a joint like your knee, the bones are held in place by strong fibres called ligaments.

The end of the bone is covered with a smooth slippery substance called cartilage and the whole joint is lubricated with fluid.

All this prevents the bones from rubbing on each other and also cut down friction which would otherwise cause the bones to wear away.

This is the human machine and how it works. It was created by nature. By studying this natural machine, scientists have created many simple machines.

Isn’t it a great wonder?

J. Randhula Gajadheera,
Willesden CollegeInternational,
Battaramulla.

Fruits - a must for everyone

Winner:

There are three basic human needs. The most vital basic need is food. It is very essential for human existence. We get energy from food. Fruits play an important role in keeping our body healthy.

We as Sri Lankans are very fortunate as our motherland is blessed with a variety of fruits. They are delicious and mouth watering.Some of these fruits are papaya, pear,banana, durian, avocado, grape, rambutan, mango and so on. They are of different colours sizes and shapes as well as tastes and odours.

They have high nutritional value and protect our body from contagious diseases. Most of the fruits taste sweet but some are sour. All of us should consume fruits everyday, though some children do not like to eat fruits. Many of us love to eat junk food than healthy and fresh fruits.

This is an unhealthy habit as junk food does not contain vitamins and minerals needed for our growth. They only contain fat, an excess of which harms our bones.

So, we must consume fresh fruits daily. There are some children who pick up fruits from the ground and eat them without washing them.

They do not realise that they are consuming a lot of germs by not washing the fruits. So, let’s make it a point to eat fruits and not junk food for a healthy and safe future.

Shahani Razzak,
Grade 9L,
Ilma International Girls’ School.

The day I got very angry

The school vacation began. I was happy because I had got good marks for the second term test. However, my parents and elders were not so happy about me, because I got only fifty five- marks for maths. I had obtained eighty -six marks for science and good marks for other subjects too.

My parents and family members think I lost interest in studies this year due to my craze for cricket. I got very angry over this because I never neglected my studies for cricket.

I had got very high marks in the first term test and I don’t really know why I got less marks in this test.

Next term I hope to show my talent by getting hundred marks for maths. I want to prove everyone wrong. I intend to improve my skills and abilities daily.

It is not fair to blame me for liking cricket. I love playing cricket. I like to play cricket in the evening at school, and also at home with my brother.

My aim this term is to be the first in the class. Then I would not have to get angry with anyone. I hope my parents and elders too would be happy then.

Chamuditha Dhanesh
Uduwella, Grade 6D,
Sussex College, Nugegoda.

Impact of communication technology...

Winner:

Ever since the concept of personal computers (PCs) was introduced mankind has discovered many ways to keep in touch with people, starting with e-mails, instant messaging and even through social networking sites.

Has the new method of communication through computers helped to build better relationships? There are two sides to the impact it has made. Yes, this new era of computer aided communication has, to a great level, helped improve relationships between people throughout the world. As a result of it the world has become smaller or as its popularly called, a global village. Many modern businesses have improved their business activities by using ATM technology, e-commerce, e-cash and so on. This has reduced many significant time costs such as taxes and also reduced consumer time.

This advancement in computer communication has helped us to keep in touch with our friends even if they live half way across the country or world!

There are negative impacts of this technology as well. Since more and more people uses e-mail facilities, it has given the opportunity for misusers to enter as well. We hear of people getting abused by nasty mails even when they are using social network sites. Since tracing these are not an easy task, misusers benefit.

It has become a huge threat for children using this facility. They often get in touch with unsuitable people who lure them into wrong acts.

Overall, computers have contributed for the betterment of human relations, but this should be properly controlled and maintained to protect all the users, especially children.

Dinidu De Silva,
Grade 10,
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10.

We all make mistakes

Winner:

Mistakes are things we do unknowingly. Some mistakes we make may sometimes bring us good results but most others bring bad results, which could affect us for our entire life .

Once we have made a mistake we learn many new things. Then we should make sure that we do not repeat that mistake.

Sometimes people refuse to admit their mistakes and instead try to blame other people for their mistakes. We should always be honest and admit and acknowledge our mistakes.

Most often mistakes are made with our words. When we try to say something to a person, we sometimes say things that we never meant to say. What we say carelessly may hurt their feelings. So, when we talk to a person, we must always think of their feelings as well as our own feelings.

If we are cautious when doing things and attentive about what we do, we can reduce the number of mistakes we make in life. Even when another person makes a mistake, there is always something we can learn from it.

There is no one in the world who has not made a mistake. So, it’s unavoidable. However, reducing your errors and learning from mistakes can make us better people.

Umesha Piyarathne,
Grade 9A,
Ecole International,
Digana.

‘Madonna’ – the magical melody of music

Winner:

Madonna Louise Ciccone, I think is the most popular woman in the world. Madonna must be the greatest artiste today as she has managed to retain her popularity from the mid ‘80s to this day.

This mega star was born on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, United States. We know her only as a singer, but she is also a song writer, musician, record producer, film producer, fashion designer, dancer and an actress.

Madonna is a multi-talented personality. She has come a long way in the music industry and achieved great success because of her amazing voice.

Her first album was “Madonna”. One of her most famous songs “Material girl” made Madonna to be known as the “Material girl”. Some of her popular songs are ‘Like a virgin, True Blue, Like a prayer, Music, American Life and Confessions on a Dance Floor’. Madonna also has a special ability for playing instruments. She can play vocals, guitar and percussion well. She is good in dancing too. She has won many awards because of her numerous talents.

In 2004, the Rolling Stone Magazine ranked her number 36 in the first of the

“100 greatest artists of all time”. No doubt this efficient artiste is the Queen of Pop.

Among so many great personalities, Madonna’s name must be on the top. Madonna is adored by fans both young and old. She has thousands of admirers around the world. I think Madonna will be the miraculous mermaid in the ocean of music forever.

Darrshini Parthepan,
Grade 10-D,
Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 8.

My great grandmother

My great grandmother is Bandumathi Manike. She is 87 years old. She was born in Alawala, in 1924. Now she lives in Haggalla. She is the eldest in her family. She has three brothers but no sisters. She studied at Alawala Vidyalaya. Her mother is Ranmenike and her father is Carolis Appuhamy.She has three sons and one daughter. My grandfather is one of them. He is her second son.

My great grandmother is the eldest member of our family now. We respect her and look after her very well.She is fair and thin. She is a kind hearted person who helps many people in the village. Most people in our village respect her.She likes to go to the temple. Every Full Moon Poya Day she observes sil. I think, she is the happiest woman in the world. May the Triple Gem bless her. I love her very much. She told me I am the most precious of all.

Vihangi Gunawardana,
Grade 2C, Negombo South International School,
Nittambuwa Branch.