Category: Geography In the News

Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Mixed Results on Fracking Initiatives

POLITICS Voters in three Colorado cities and one in Ohio passed ballot measures this week banning or temporarily halting fracking within their borders. Another Colorado suburb rejected the moratorium by just 13 votes. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand fracking. Discussion Ideas “Fracking” is the nickname for the process of hydraulic fracturing. Watch our “media spotlight” video on “How Hydraulic Fracturing Works.” … Continue reading Mixed Results on Fracking Initiatives

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Building a Better Subway Map

GEOGRAPHY Maps and mongrels and metros, oh my! Researchers at an MIT lab have devised a way to determine how well commuters can comprehend a subway map—in a glance. (Fast Company, great article!) Use our resources to better understand public transportation, and how to map it. Discussion Ideas Look through our GeoStory “Public Transportation,” which provides maps for buses, trains, and metros. (Maps are not … Continue reading Building a Better Subway Map

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Lightning Threatens Developing Countries

TECHNOLOGY Developing countries have long lists of problems—illiteracy, disease, hunger, corruption. There’s one more problem that has gotten less attention, until recently: Lightning strikes. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand lightning. Discussion Ideas Read through our activity “Measuring Weather.” How do you think meteorologists and other scientists measure lightning? Do you think they use any of the tools reviewed in the activity? … Continue reading Lightning Threatens Developing Countries

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Ocean ‘Stores’ Heat

ENVIRONMENT Global warming is popularly viewed only as an atmospheric process. In fact, most heat uptake occurs in the ocean. How have subsurface ocean temperatures varied during past warm and cold intervals? How did scientists measure these climate changes? (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand the far-reaching implications of global warming. Discussion Ideas According to the Nat Geo News article, ocean researchers … Continue reading Ocean ‘Stores’ Heat

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Rhino Hunt Sets Off Conservation Debate

WORLD A group called the Dallas Safari Club is auctioning off the chance for one hunter to shoot an endangered black rhinoceros in Namibia. The club claims all proceeds will support conservation of the embattled species, but the the announcement has touched off a firestorm of criticism around the world. (National Geographic News) Do you support the rhino hunt? Scroll down to vote in our … Continue reading Rhino Hunt Sets Off Conservation Debate

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