“Current Event Connection” posts will connect educators with news stories and relevant discussion ideas featuring content from the NG Education website.
HEALTH A Liberian man is the first person to be diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus on US soil. So how did he arrive undetected and what are the risks to Americans? (BBC) Use our resources to understand how maps can be used as tools to help solve problems. Discussion Ideas Read through our excellent activity “Mapping A London Epidemic.” Adapt its themes to apply … Continue reading Ebola in America
ENVIRONMENT Gatherings of walruses crowded together on northwestern Alaska shorelines, like the congregation of about 35,000 animals spotted this weekend near the village of Point Lay, have become regular occurrences in the new era of scarce summer sea ice. (Alaska Dispatch News) Use our resources to learn more about shrinking summer sea ice. Thanks to our once-and-future oceans expert, Julie, for the heads-up and help … Continue reading Walruses Crowd Alaska Beach
ENVIRONMENT Once the fourth-largest lake in the world, Central Asia’s shrinking Aral Sea has reached a new low, thanks to decades-old water diversions and a more recent drought. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand this ongoing environmental catastrophe. Discussion Ideas According to our media spotlight “Disappearing Lake,” the Aral Sea has always been a saline (salty) lake, but it has become much … Continue reading Where Has All the Water Gone?
SCIENCE For the past 35 years, Mount Ontake, Japan, has seen little volcanic activity. That all ended Saturday—listen to one veteran volcano climber’s insights. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand volcanoes. Discussion Ideas Read through our activity “Types of Volcanic Eruptions,” which includes a video about volcanoes and volcanic eruptions. The video describes some differences between composite volcanoes and shield volcanoes. Based on … Continue reading Explorer Explains Eruption
WORLD What began as a student sit-in in Hong Kong has snowballed into an enormous protest as as police responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets. Here’s what you need to know so far. (New York Magazine) Use our resources to learn more about the Occupy movement and one of China’s “Special administrative regions,” Hong Kong. Discussion Ideas What is “Occupy Central” and why … Continue reading What’s Going On in Hong Kong?
