Author: carylsue

Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Wait a Minute—Don’t Clean the Garbage Patch?

ENVIRONMENT Placing plastic collectors near coasts would remove 31% of microplastics, versus 1% if they were all in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. (Guardian) What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Use our resources to find out. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Startling new analysis reveals that cleaning up plastics near the coast would … Continue reading Wait a Minute—Don’t Clean the Garbage Patch?

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Africa Offers a Lesson in How to Topple Terrorists

WORLD The Nigerian terror group Boko Haram is losing territory. In the broader fight against terrorism, that’s an essential first step. (Christian Science Monitor) What is Boko Haram? Use our resources to find out. Discussion Ideas What is Boko Haram? Boko Haram is a terrorist organization affiliated with both al-Qaida and Islamic State. (In fact, the group’s official name is Wilāyat Gharb Ifrīqīyyah, or “Islamic … Continue reading Africa Offers a Lesson in How to Topple Terrorists

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Can Coral Reinvent the Wheel?

TECHNOLOGY The tread pattern on a new, sphere-shaped concept tire was inspired by the whorls of brain coral. (BBC) See how other engineers are inspired by nature. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas What two features distinguish the new Eagle 360 concept tire from a regular tire? The tire is sphere-shaped. Most tires are wheels … Continue reading Can Coral Reinvent the Wheel?

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

See the Solar Eclipse

SCIENCE Lucky skywatchers in Southeast Asia get a rare front-row seat to a total eclipse, and Pacific islanders will see a still-dazzling partial eclipse. But the rest of the world doesn’t have to miss out: You can watch it live online, right here. (Nat Geo News) In the South Pacific? Use our resources to build a solar eclipse viewer! Teachers, scroll down for a quick … Continue reading See the Solar Eclipse

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Current Event Connection, Main

Caveman Chemistry

SCIENCE Scientists know a lot about Neanderthals these days, from their hair color to their mating habits. Still, a basic mystery remains: Did they know how to start a fire? (Scientific American) Take a walk through “Hominin History” for a look at Neanderthals and their closest relatives. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, including today’s simple MapMaker … Continue reading Caveman Chemistry

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