SCIENCE The presence of carnivores helps some plants thrive, a new study of life on the savanna reveals. (BBC) Use this activity to better understand the plants and animals of the African savanna. Teachers: Scroll all the way down for a short list of key resources in our “Teachers’ Toolkit.” Discussion Ideas Read the terrific BBC article on the African savanna food web. Then, look … Continue reading The Thorny Circle of Life
HEALTH The 2014 crisis is the largest Ebola outbreak in history and the first in West Africa. Learn more about the deadly disease and responses to the crisis. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Use our resources to learn more about the last major outbreak of Ebola. Discussion Ideas What is ebola? Ebola is an infectious disease caused by a virus. In fact, most doctors … Continue reading All About Ebola
ENVIRONMENT For the third year in a row, skies over Madagascar are black with millions of locusts—the insects of biblical fame that gobble up crops and ravage landscapes, mostly in countries where people barely get by. (NPR) Use our resources to better understand the “Lessons of a Cannibal Plague.” Thanks to Alli for the heads-up on this great current-event connection! This video, which describes Madagascar’s … Continue reading Swarming Disaster
HEALTH Warmer temperatures are causing malaria to spread to higher altitudes, a study suggests. (BBC) Use our resources to better understand how communities are adapting to the threat of malaria. Discussion Ideas The BBC article, based on research published in the journal Science, says that malaria, typically a tropical disease, is being documented in higher altitudes. Take a look at the map above, which shows areas … Continue reading Malaria Reaches New Heights
Did you know that it’s estimated that there are only three hundred lions remaining in Eastern Africa around Tangier National Park? Three hundred lions isn’t many. Announcing a new opportunity for classrooms to help support important lion conservation work in Kenya and Tanzania. Here’s the problem: When lions attack livestock, it threatens the livelihood of the whole community. As a result, communities often retaliate by killing lions. … Continue reading Help Save Big Cats
