Federal Friday is a regularly updated page with information about different federal and state resources. Check it out every Friday to learn more about where to find data, media, reports and other content.
Whether you are stuck at home due to a cold or weather crafting can make the time go by pleasantly. Below are crafts and ideas for projects.
Finding Inspiration in Traditional Crafts
“One frequent piece of advice for helping to keep our sense of well being as we need to stay home and stay safe during the pandemic is to find ways to be creative. Arts and crafts provide one way of doing this. I grew up with arts and crafts of all sorts as members of my family were creative. So I have gotten out my art supplies. It doesn’t matter to me if I come up with a masterpiece. It is fun getting back to old arts and trying out new ones.”
Craft and Fine Artists- Occupational Outlook Handbook
“Overall employment of craft and fine artists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 5,500 openings for craft and fine artists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”
Joint Polar Satellite System STEM Activity: Recycled Paper With Seeds
“Did you know that it takes more than 3 gallons of freshwater to produce a single sheet of paper? Recycling paper reduces the amount of water needed to make paper by 85% or more. Making recycled paper can be a great way to learn how recycling works and start a conversation about how the products we use play a role in the modern water cycle.”
Orion Desktop Model
“Orion is NASA’s new spacecraft that will launch atop the world’s most powerful rocket, the Space Launch System, to take astronauts on a journey of exploration to the Moon and beyond as it embarks on a series of deep-space missions. Beginning with Artemis I, astronauts will learn to live and work in lunar orbit on long-duration missions lasting weeks and months that will prepare them for the eventual multiyear missions to Mars.”
Make a Collagasaurus -Smithsonian
What is a Collagasaurus? You will have to click the link to find out!
Make Your Own Barometer- National Park Service
This activity may have been developed during the pandemic with distance-learning in mind. A fun way to learn some science and make a fun tool.
Snowflakes- NOAA
"Get your paper and scissors out because it’s time for some winter craft fun! Enjoy these downloadable and printable snowflake templates. Decorate your walls, windows, ceiling, holiday tree, and even your holiday cakes with four new designs. They’re inspired by a few of our Woods Hole Science Aquarium residents:
Dinosaurs! - USGS 
“3-D paper models of fossils and geologic processes that can be printed, colored, and built. They can be just for fun, or an activity to accompany a teaching module on the relevant topics.”
Look What You Can Make with Boxes: Over 90 Pictured Crafts and Dozens of Other Ideas- (ERIC, Department of Education)
"This book offers a wide variety of easy-to-make crafts, including toys, games, and gifts, and each project begins with a box. The book provides directions, a materials list, and suggestions for setting aside a work area. The projects are illustrated ... and explained with simple step-by-step instructions. Contains a title index and a subject index. (BT)"
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Knitting Pattern – NPS
“The pattern below will create a wall hanging of approximately eight inches wide and 24 inches long, depending on the materials you choose to use. It is knit flat in Fair Isle, but could also lend itself to intarsia or duplicate stitching, depending on skill level and comfort.”
For the third year, the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has published its famed cat and dog calendars.
These calendars may be fetched at any time from these links:
Why Celebrate New Year's (Library of Congress)
Census Bureau Projects U.S. and World Populations on New Year’s Day
“As the nation prepares to ring in the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau today projected the U.S. population will be 335,893,238 at midnight EST, on Jan. 1, 2024. This represents an increase of 1,759,535 (0.53%) from Jan. 1, 2023, and 4,443,957 (1.34%) from Census Day (April 1) 2020.”
[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]
New Year, New Possibilities: Start Living a Smokefree Life Today!
“The new year brings new possibilities for improved health when you quit smoking. Many people feel like they have a “second chance to live” after they quit, and they feel better when they start living a smokefree life.”
Making Your Resolutions Stick: How to Create Healthy Habits (National Institutes of Health)
“Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions are losing weight, getting more physical activity, eating more nutritious foods, quitting cigarettes, cutting back on alcohol, reducing stress and sleeping better. But no matter which healthy resolution you choose, research suggests that some common strategies can boost your chance of making the change a habit, a part of your daily lifestyle.”
If one of your resolutions is to save money, the USDA has 10 Holiday Recipes That Won’t Break the Bank. "These recipes are available on MyPlate.gov. All recipes use ingredients that can be purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits many ingredients are part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages."
Looking to Fulfill New Year’s Resolutions? Head to Your Public Library (Institute of Museum and Library Services)
“Whether your New Year’s resolution is to save money, get healthier, or spend more time with your family, your public library can help you achieve it. Your local library likely offers far more than just self-help books to assist you in learning new skills and applying them. Here are just a few interesting—and perhaps unconventional—public library collections funded through the IMLS Grants to States program that might help you check a resolution or two off your list.”
The Congressional Research Service provides members of Congress with reports explaining various topics- from international conflicts to cultural events. These reports are a great source of information on many topics. Below are reports on celebrations by different cultures, including New Years.
Lunar New Year: Fact Sheet (Congressional Research Service) 
"The Lunar New Year is a major holiday in Asian societies that use variants of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. The holiday has cultural significance for Asian American communities with ties to those countries.1 The Lunar New Year starts on the second new moon after the winter solstice and falls between January 21 and February 19 on the Gregorian calendar used in the United States."
Jewish Holidays: Fact Sheet
“Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah is generally observed in September or October in the Gregorian calendar. It celebrates the Jewish New Year and lasts for two days. It also marks the beginning of 10 days of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur.”
Muslim Holidays: Fact Sheet
“Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) Depending on the country, Eid al-Adha is celebrated from 4 to 12 days at the end of the Hajj (pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam) to Mecca and Medina. Annually, nearly 2 million Muslims participate in the Hajj from approximately the 10th to the 13th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar.”
Hindu Holidays: Fact Sheet
“Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It often falls between mid-October and mid-November, and for some observers coincides with the beginning of the New Year. Although the specific celebrations vary by region and group, Diwali is a celebration of the “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.” It is often observed by wearing new clothes, participating in pujas (prayer or worship), exchanging gifts, cleaning the home, lighting oil lamps, participating in festivals, and setting off fireworks.”
Gift giving is a common aspect of the holidays, unfortunately, so is sharing germs. This week we are looking at winter bugs and how to stay healthy for the New Year.
How to Prevent Norovirus 
"Noroviruses are a group of related viruses. Infection with these viruses causes an illness called gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It can spread from person to person, or through contaminated food or water. You can also get it if you touch a contaminated surface. Norovirus can be serious, especially for young children and older adults." (Read more)
"Each year, around 48 million people in the United States get sick from contaminated food. Common causes include bacteria and viruses. Less often, the cause may be a parasite or a harmful chemical, such as a high amount of pesticides. Symptoms of foodborne illness depend on the cause. They can be mild or serious. They usually include:
Most foodborne illnesses are acute. This means that they happen suddenly and last a short time. (Read more)"
Immunizations are available for all three major fall and winter respiratory diseases – flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for groups eligible for RSV immunization).
Washing hands and improving airflow in the places where people live and work are important to lowering risk from respiratory viruses.
Effective treatments are available for those who get flu or COVID-19 and are recommended for those at higher risk for severe illness. Treatment can reduce severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Everyday actions like masking and physical distancing can provide an additional layer of protection.
Tests are available that can quickly detect these respiratory viruses so patients don’t delay treatment and other actions that can protect their family, friends, and coworkers.
Masks and Respiratory Viruses Prevention
Nutrition.gov bring you:
Ensure the holidays are stress free this year by reviewing these healthy holiday resources to stay on track with health goals, and dietary restrictions.
Exercise and Fitness
Learn about the health benefits of physical activity, and find resources like exercise logs, planners, and examples to help you stay consistent over time.
From the National Institutes for Health :
Guide to Physical Activity
Physical activity is an important part of your weight management program. Most weight loss occurs because of decreased calorie intake. Sustained physical activity is most helpful in the prevention of weight regain.
Caring for Your Mental Health
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.
If you are feeling crafty, here is How to Make Cloth Face Coverings
As the days get shorter and colder some will bring greenery and light into the home. Below are some tree facts.
Trees of the Carson National Forest
Do you have trouble telling the difference between a Ponderosa Pine and Piñon? This publication describes various types of trees.
A Christmas tree’s journey
"While there are over 600 conifer species, the most popular one used as a Christmas tree is the Fraser Fir, followed by the Douglas Fir, and the Noble Fir. The Noble Fir and Douglas Fir are Oregon’s most produced Christmas trees, while North Carolina predominantly grows Fraser Fir trees."
“Bureau of Land Management offices will begin personal Christmas tree permit sales for harvest of piñon and juniper. Permits are available through December 24 and cost $5 per tree. Permits and maps may be obtained over the counter at your local BLM Office or online at forestproducts.blm.gov.”
The National Forest offer permits for cutting your own tree:
Santa Fe National Forest Christmas Tree Permit ($10.00)
Carson National Forest Christmas Tree Permit ($5-15.00)
Gila National Forest Christmas Tree Permit ($0- $5.00)
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Christmas Tree Permit ($15.00)
Learn more about parks and recreation opportunities at https://www.recreation.gov/
Tips for cutting a tree
Remember to give the tree a good shake to dislodge anything that might be living in it!
The History of the Christmas Tree
“What is the history of the Christmas tree? As far as common historical accounts are concerned, it all started with customs of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Scandinavians and other cultures that displayed evergreen trees, boughs and garlands during the winter. These decorations were symbols of everlasting life and reminders of the growth of spring, and they were also believed to ward off evil spirits, ghosts and illness.”
Who invented electric Christmas lights?
“Before electric Christmas lights, families would use candles to light up their Christmas trees. This practice was often dangerous and led to many home fires. Edward H. Johnson put the very first string of electric Christmas tree lights together in 1882.”
“Records at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) show correspondence from 1919 indicate that a Christmas tree was purchased that year. However, it was not until 1964 that a definite procedure was initiated and a tree-lighting ceremony established.”
Winter Holiday Fire Facts (National Fire Protection Association)
“U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. These fires caused an annual average of 4 civilian fire deaths, 33 civilian fire injuries and $14 million in direct property damage.”
Winter brings shorter days and colder weather. For some this is a great time to reflect on the year and write a card or letter to friends and family. This week's Federal Friday looks at holiday correspondents.
Holiday cards from U.S. Presidents
How have U.S. presidents sent out their holiday greetings?
The Library of Congress has a collection of old holiday cards. Some may leave you wondering what is going on?
Don’t forget the postage!
The U.S. Postal Service announced four new stamp subjects for 2024 and you can look forward to Ansel Adams and Dungeons & Dragon stamps.
The first Christmas Stamp was issued in 1962 and cost 4 cents. The USPS now has stamps for other winter holidays as well as secular images.
In a world of digital communication, it is easy to forget the importance of the postal service beyond mailing packages- this mode of communication was extremely important before email. Read about the history of the postal service with this article from the Smithsonian (there is a National Postal Museum!) A Brief History of the United States Postal Service
Make your own cards or print out free cards
Festive holiday cards
“Spread the cheer this holiday season with NOAA-themed cards that have an educational spin! Print the card collection, dive into educational resources, and explore more holiday-themed content from across NOAA! Happy holidays — we wish you a safe and cozy holiday season.” Want to print the whole collection? Download our printable holiday cards (3.6 MB).
Holiday Cards and the Santa Fe Trail- National Park Service
Explore Nature Holiday Cards
Get into the holiday spirit with these Explore Nature Holiday Cards. Download and print your favorites.”
Fish and Wildlife have printable and ecards!
"Are you looking for a card that just a little bit fishy? Are you angling for the perfect fish pun? We’ve got some holiday card fin-spiration for all the fish aficionados in your life. So light those Hanukkah candles!🕎 Decorate that Christmas tree! 🎄Or prepare to dance alone under the Solstice moon! 🌝 However you celebrate this December, have a safe and totally not crappie holiday!"
The report Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena was submitted to Congress on June 25th 2021. This is not the first report of its kind and probably won’t be the last. How did we get here?
National Security Agency/Central Security Service: Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Paranormal Events
Library of Congress: UFOs and Aliens Among Us
"In the 1940s and 50s reports of "flying saucers" became an American cultural phenomena. Sightings of strange objects in the sky became the raw materials for Hollywood to present visions of potential threats. Posters for films, like Earth vs. the Flying Saucers from 1956 illustrate these fears. Connected to ongoing ideas about life on the Moon, the canals on Mars, and ideas about Martian Civilizations, flying saucers have come to represent the hopes and fears of the modern world."
Department of Defense: Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Annual Report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena
NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study
"On June 9, 2022, NASA announced that the agency is commissioning a study team to examine unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) – that is, observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena – from a scientific perspective. The study will focus on identifying available data, how best to collect future data, and how NASA can use that data to move the scientific understanding of UAPs forward. This webpage is designed as a resource to provide updates on the UAP Independent Study."
Design an Alien
“In this lesson, students will learn about the signs of life that scientists look for on other worlds. Next, they will imagine and draw their own alien that can survive with the traits and environmental conditions that come up when they roll a die.”
The FBI and the National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena
Government interest in UFOs gates back to at least 1947 when the FBI was collecting information on the National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena. NICAP was an organization that pushed for congressional investigations of UFOs. They published reports including The UFO evidence, by Richard H. Hall, 1964 which stated “This report is an attempt to clarify the reliable evidence of UFOs, and to remove the fog mysticism and crackpotism which has helped obscure the real issues.” - National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena.
Their efforts payed of with members of congress taking up the issue: Investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects- 1967
The FBI Vault has newspaper clippings, letters, memos and other documents related to the NICAP.
National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena (NICAP)- FBI Vault.
National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) Part 1 of 3
National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) Part 2 of 3
National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) Part 3 of 3
The FBI Vault also has a 16 part series of documents on UFO sightings from 1947-1954.
Project Blue Book, U.S. Air Force and Flying Saucers
Project Blue Book was one of several U.S. Air Force investigations into UFOs. Their documentation was transferred to the National Archives. The materials include home movies and are highlighted in the NARA blog The Unwritten Record. The FBI also collected information on this program which is available in the FBI Vault. Project Bluebook- 1947-1969.
In 1966 testimony was given by the Secretary of the Air Force, Harold Brown. Regarding UFO he stated: "the past 18 years of investigating unidentified flying objects have not identified any threat to our national security, or evidence of extraterrestrial vehicles” (Unidentified flying objects : hearing by Committee on Armed Forces of the House of Representatives, Eighty-ninth Congress, second session. April 5, 1966, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services. 5592).
In the 1950s the U.S. Air Force was working on developing a saucer-shaped aircraft (image at the top of this page). There is speculation that Project 1794 is the origin of the flying saucer sightings. Project 1794, Final Development Summary Report (d.1956)
In 1966 the University of Colorado was chosen by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to manage a program to study UFOs. This was known as the University of Colorado UFO Project (Condon Committee) 1966-1968. Their 1968 report: Final Report of the Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects, Conducted by the University of Colorado Under Contract to the United States Air Force, was reviewed by the National Academy of Science which issued Hypotheses of Extraterrestrial Origin.
Congress
Since their constituents were interested the subject of UFOs was repeatedly brought up in congress.
In 1957 Congressman Roland Libonati spoke on Flying Saucers and what the Air Force knew about this aerial phenomena (con. rec. 1958, pg 11657). A new twist on UFO story was added in 1967 when Congressman Wyman spoke on UFOs and an incident in Colorado with a horse (Con, Rec. 10/16/1967. 28949).
A hearing on July 29, 1968 called the Symposium on unidentified flying objects included six scientists who spoke to congress about UFOs. Professor J. Allan Hynek, in his opening statement says "The UFO problem has been with us now for many years. It would be difficult to find another subject which has claimed as much attention in the world press, in conversation of people of all walks f life, which has captured the imagination of so many over so long a period of time.”
Steven H. Schiff (Rep. New Mexico) made inquiries into UFO sightings in his state and received the July 1995 report from the General Accounting Office (GAO) on the Roswell Incident. This 26 page report shows where the GAO searched for documentation and the responses of various agencies. The report stated "After nearly 50 years, speculation continues on what crashed at Roswell. Some observers believe that the object was of extraterrestrial origin. In the July 1994 Report of Air Force Research Regarding the Roswell Incident, the Air Force did not dispute that something happened near Roswell, but reported that the most likely source of the wreckage was from a balloon-launched classified government project designed to determine the state of Soviet nuclear weapons research. The debate on what crashed at Roswell continues.”
Roswell and cows
In 1974, the FBI responded to Nebraska Senator Curtis that they were unable to investigate cattle mutilations due to a lack of jurisdiction- the cattle had not been moved across state lines. They provided a similar response to Colorado Senator Haskell (Animal Mutilations part 1).
In 1979 there were reports of mutilations on Indian Reservations in New Mexico that this fell within the FBI’s jurisdiction. An investigation in New Mexico resulted in Operation animal mutilation: report of the district attorney first judicial district, state of New Mexico Kenneth M. Rommel, 1981. In the 1980s theories on the possible culprits included Satanists, witches, pranksters, unknown government agencies, and extraterrestrial visitors (see part 5 of 5).
The FBI Vault has reports, correspondence, and news clippings.
Animal Mutilation Part 1 of 5
Animal Mutilation Part 2 of 5
The GAO report didn't have enough answers and readers wanted more. What crashed in the desert outside of Roswell, New Mexico in 1947? X-Files fans wanted to know! These volumes are seeped in Cold War intrigue, science experiments, and conspiracy!
The Roswell Report: Fact Versus Fiction in the New Mexico Desert (1995)
The Roswell report : case closed (1997)
Bibliographies
There was so much interest that the Library of Congress was compiling bibliographies of literature related to the issue. These sources are a great resource for those who would like to dive deeply into UFO lore.
UFO’s And Related Subjects: an annotated bibliography, compiled by Lynn Cato, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 1969. The creation of this bibliography was under the direction of Dr. Edward Condon, of the University of Colorado.
Unidentified flying objects : a selected bibliography, compiled by Kay Rodgers, Library of Congress, 1976
Vicki Tate of USA Marx Library compiled this great bibliography: UFOs & UAPs, Unidentified Flying Objects or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
2020- the UFO question returns
Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) 2004-2012 was part of the Defense Intelligence Agency. AATIP did not issue any public reports but is considered the forerunner of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force. This task force is included in The Intelligence Authorization act for Fiscal Year 2021 (June 17, 2020) where is was charged to “standardize collection and reporting on unidentified aerial phenomenon, any links they have to adversarial foreign governments, and the threat they pose to U.S. military assets and installations.” This task force was established on August 4, 2020.
Want more? The NSA has an extensive list of UFO related materials.
Each year the UNM Bureau of Business & Economic Research hosts a data user's conference. This is a great opportunity to get updates and learn more about resources in the state. For example, New Mexico Voices for Children released a report on a new method of measuring poverty. This is also a great time to be reminded of the many resources and reports coming from BBER, and federal agencies. Below you will find specific information on where to find education-related statistics.
Report: NM Child Poverty is Below National Average in New Measurement
New Mexico’s child poverty rate is either the highest in the nation or better than the national average – depending on which poverty measurement is used. Both poverty rates come from the U.S. Census Bureau, but take very different factors into account. In order for state lawmakers to make informed decisions about public policies affecting children, they must understand the factors that influence these poverty measurements.
| RESEARCH | Authoritative, objective and non-partisan analysis. |
| DASHBOARDS | Visually communicate relevant real-time data. |
| FOR-UNM | Economic forecasting for New Mexico & five MSAs. |
| DATA BANK | Specialized data from state and national sources. |
IPEDs Data Explorer
Find tables and data on all aspects of higher education.
The Bibliography Search Tool allows you to search for individual citations from journal articles that have been published using data from most research programs conducted by NCES. The bibliography is updated continually and includes citations from 1973 to present. The list of citations was derived from computer searches of online bibliographic databases (i.e., EBSCO, JSTOR, EconLit, Dissertation Abstracts), ERIC, as well as the NCES website.
The Early Childhood Longitudinal Studies (ECLS) program is conducted primarily by NCES in collaboration with other federal agencies and organizations. The ECLS program includes three longitudinal studies that examine child development, school readiness, and early school experiences. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) is a study of children born in 2001 who were followed from birth through kindergarten entry. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) is a study of children followed from kindergarten through the eighth grade. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11 (ECLS-K:2011) is following a sample of children from kindergarten through the fifth grade.
The NCES survey program at the elementary/secondary education level provides information on the condition of public and private education. Through the Common Core of Data (CCD) survey national, state, and local data on public elementary and secondary education is collected. Important additions to NCES' data collection programs in the last decade include the Schools and Staffing Survey, the Private School Universe Survey, and the National Household Education Survey.
Libraries are an educational resource available to individuals regardless of age, social status, or educational background. The Library Statistics Program sponsors surveys on academic libraries, public libraries, school library media centers, and state library agencies.
Image Archive Program: The Image Archive Program maintained by the Earth Data Analysis Center at the University of New Mexico hosts the largest collection of historical aerial photography data for New Mexico and the US Southwest. The collection also includes space shuttle imagery, satellite imagery, topographic maps, and digital data.
To learn more click here.
