SCIENCE A £10 million prize (about $16,820,000) has been launched to solve one of the six greatest scientific problems facing the world today. The competition was inspired by the 1714 Longitude Prize, which was won by John Harrison. His clocks enabled sailors to pinpoint their position at sea for the first time. (BBC) Use our resources to better understand longitude, and get started on a 21st … Continue reading Win the Longitude Prize—and $17 million
ENVIRONMENT Last month, a “pulse flow” of water surged into the final stretch of the Colorado River. Officials and scientists hope the water will help restore a landscape that has long been arid but that once supported a rich diversity of life. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to learn more about conservation in the Colorado delta. Discussion Ideas The “pulse flow” of water to … Continue reading Restoring a ‘Pulse’ to the Colorado River Delta
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?
GEOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK! SCIENCE Scientists have discovered a pocket of ancient seawater that’s been trapped underground near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay since the time of the dinosaurs—strong evidence that the Atlantic Ocean was once much saltier than today. (NPR) Did someone say Chesapeake Bay water quality?! Discussion Ideas The pockets of ancient Atlantic seawater found near Cape Charles, Virginia, are twice as salty … Continue reading Salty Ancient Seawater Found Beneath Chesapeake Bay
WORLD “Ethiopia is killing us,” Egyptian taxi driver Ahmed Hossam says. “If they build this dam, there will be no Nile. If there’s no Nile, then there’s no Egypt.” (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand how stakeholders reflect the diversity of economic, political, geographic, and environmental conflicts inherent in dam-building. Discussion Ideas Read through our lesson “Making Informed Environmental Decisions,” which concerns … Continue reading Egyptians Oppose Ethiopian Dam
