FOOD In the 1940s, Joe and Fay Gock fled to New Zealand from China. In the best video you’ll watch all week, see how they repaid their host country by rescuing a staple crop—the sweet potato—after a disease ravaged much of the country’s supply. (The Atlantic) Use our sweet, sweet map layer to see where sweet potatoes are being produced. We have two teaching strategies … Continue reading How Chinese Refugees Saved the Sweet Potato
What did you learn this week? Let us know in the comments or at education@ngs.org. This week, we learned … … an Alaskan village voted to relocate due to global warming, and Harley-Davidson is paying $12 million in fines over carbon emissions. Where do you think dislocated villagers should resettle? Who should pay for their relocation fees? Should vehicle manufacturers be fined over emissions, and/or … Continue reading 11 Things We Learned This Week
WORLD French mayors have banned full-body swimsuits known as “burkinis” from beaches, citing public order concerns. (Washington Post) Read through our study guide on hijab to better understand this misunderstood concept, and ideas about how to discuss it in class. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Some French mayors have banned “burkinis” (sometimes spelled “burqinis”) … Continue reading What Are Burkinis? Why Are They Banned?
SCIENCE It’s no fish tale: The Greenland shark is the longest-lived vertebrate on the planet, a new study says. (Nat Geo News) Use our lessons, media, and articles to learn more about sharks. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas According to Nat Geo News, Greenland sharks are the longest-lived vertebrates on the planet. What is … Continue reading Old Ladies of the Sea
Video and text courtesy our own Eric Berkenpas! Watch our Remote Imaging Team test a fireproof camera housing! Designed by engineer Mike Shepard and built by machinist Mohsen Ahmed, the boxy little beauty above can withstand outside temperatures of 1000° Celsius (2000° Fahrenheit). Inside the housing, it’s a comfortable 27° Celsius (80° Fahrenheit)! Don’t try this at home! The Firecam was built for Nat Geo … Continue reading Firecam! Just Another Day at Nat Geo …
