“Current Event Connection” posts will connect educators with news stories and relevant discussion ideas featuring content from the NG Education website.
ENVIRONMENT Peat has been used as a source of energy in Ireland for at least 1,000 years. But it may be on its way out, as the Emerald Isle turns to another energy source of which it has unlimited quantities: Wind. (The Economist) Use our study guide to learn about peat, the forgotten fossil fuel. Discussion Ideas The short Economist article details how Ireland is … Continue reading Bog Down, Wind’s Up
SCIENCE Thanks to social media and the power of citizen scientists chasing the Northern Lights, a new feature was discovered recently. Nobody knew what this strange ribbon of purple light was, so … it was called Steve. (European Space Agency) Use our resource to meet Steve, fox fire, and other oddities of the aurora. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in … Continue reading An Aurora Named Steve
WORLD The finals of a revived 3,000-year-old ball game have been played in the Mexican city of Teotihuacan. (BBC) Ballgames are a great introduction to ethnoarchaeology and anthropology—use our fun study guide for some help! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Take a look at the first question in the “Questions” tab in our study … Continue reading Mexico Picks Up 3,000-Year-Old Ballgame
This week, we learned … … horseshoe crab blood is an irreplaceable medical marvel—so biomedical companies are bleeding 500,000 every year. Read of the week! Why do horseshoe crabs need compassion? … how Denmark created the world’s greenest island, and how climate change caused a river to change its course. How do you teach about renewable energy? Take our quiz to see how your … Continue reading 11 Things We Learned This Week
SCIENCE New clues to an old mystery about Inca language aren’t etched in stone. They’re tied in knots. (Nat Geo News) How did khipu help shape South American geography? Discussion Ideas The Nat Geo News article describes a new analysis of Incan khipu (or quipu). What are khipu? Khipu are knotted cords used by the ancient Inca to record events, census data, and accounts. (Khipu … Continue reading Discovery May Help Decipher Ancient Inca String Code
