SCIENCE According to new research, it was only recently in whales’ evolutionary history that they became so enormous. (Smithsonian) Use our activity to size yourself up to a blue whale! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A new study analyzes the evolution of baleen whales. What are baleen whales? Baleen whales (Mysticeti) are huge, carnivorous … Continue reading Why Did Whales Get So Big?
SCIENCE Pseudoscientific claims that music helps plants grow have been made for decades, despite evidence that is shaky at best. Yet new research suggests some flora may be capable of sensing sounds, such as the gurgle of water through a pipe or the buzzing of insects. (Scientific American) It’s a great time to play ‘Viridi’—and vocally tend your garden! Teachers, scroll down for a quick … Continue reading Can Plants Hear?
POLITICS The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that North Carolina’s legislature unlawfully relied on race when drawing two of the state’s congressional districts. (SCOTUSblog) Use this great lesson plan on redistricting and gerrymandering from the good folks at KQED. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Supreme Court just decided a case concerning redistricting in … Continue reading What is Gerrymandering?
GEOGRAPHY Objects unearthed at a Native American burial site are remnants of an ancient space rock. (Nature) Who were the Hopewell? Use our resources to better understand this ancient Native American tradition. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Nature article details an analysis of beads found in a Hopewell burial site in Havana, … Continue reading Out-of-this-World Beads Show Native Culture’s Interaction Sphere
This week, we learned … … the eight adult skills every 18-year-old should have. Our Learning Framework can help develop those skills! … no one lives on the Pacific island that’s covered in 38 million pieces of our trash. How did all that trash get to an uninhabited island? … where have all the insects gone. Help support some of our favorite insects—bees—by … Continue reading 11 Things We Learned This Week
