Category: Current Event Connection

“Current Event Connection” posts will connect educators with news stories and relevant discussion ideas featuring content from the NG Education website.

Current Event Connection, Geography Awareness Week, Geography In the News, Main

How Safe is Your Water?

ENVIRONMENT A West Virginia chemical spill brought attention to a broader national problem. “We often don’t think about where our water comes from,” or how it could be contaminated, say conservationists. (National Geographic News) Watch these “pictures of practice” to see how students and teachers understand water pollution and water purification. Discussion Ideas “We often don’t think about where our water comes from,” says Steve … Continue reading How Safe is Your Water?

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

California’s Megadrought

ENVIRONMENT California is experiencing its worst drought since record-keeping began in the mid 19th century, and scientists say this may be just the beginning. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand droughts. Discussion Ideas Read through our activity “Extreme Natural Events.” In what ways is drought different from every other extreme natural event listed in that activity—earthquakes, avalanches, wildfires, etc.? Read through the … Continue reading California’s Megadrought

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Ancient DNA Links Native Americans

SCIENCE The Clovis culture, which developed in North America about 13,000 years ago from populations originally from eastern Asia, appears to be the ancestor of all Native Americans. Geneticists sequenced DNA of the only known Clovis skeleton and found markers shared with indigenous people from North, Central, and South America. (Reuters) Use our resources to better understand genetics and ancient human migration. Discussion Ideas Read … Continue reading Ancient DNA Links Native Americans

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Study Records Biodiversity in Cities

ENVIRONMENT A new study has found that cities supported far fewer species of birds and plants compared with similar areas of undeveloped land. However, it also showed the vast majority of flora and fauna in a city reflected an area’s “unique biotic heritage.” (BBC) Use our resources to better understand biodiversity. Discussion Ideas This fascinating new study has a “good news/bad news” quality. What is … Continue reading Study Records Biodiversity in Cities

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Current Event Connection, Main

Mystery of the Cathedral

ARTS Architects and engineers are investigating methods probably used by Renaissance artists to create the iconic dome—the Duomo—of Florence, Italy’s cathedral. (National Geographic/NOVA) Use our resources to better understand the Duomo. Discussion Ideas Watch the terrific video above, about Filippo Brunelleschi’s magnificent ‘Duomo.’ Then read our equally terrific “media spotlight” on the Duomo. How else could Brunelleschi or other architects have designed the roof of … Continue reading Mystery of the Cathedral

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