“Blood diamonds” (or “conflict diamonds”) are in the news these days, thanks to Blood Diamond, a new movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. So what are “blood diamonds”? That’s the term given to illegally sold gems that fund civil war and atrocities in Sierra Leone and other African nations. Learn more in these news stories: “Blood Diamonds” and How to Avoid Buying Illicit Gems Video: “Blood Diamonds” … Continue reading Not a Girl’s Best Friend
Scholastic’s Parent & Child magazine has an article about helping children develop a lifelong appreciation of diversity. The article talks about global education, or “helping your child find his own place in the world community — to become a true ‘citizen of the world.’” Read the article and tell us what you think. How do you help your children appreciate diversity? My Wonderful World Home … Continue reading Citizens of the World
The current Smithsonian magazine has a fascinating article about the ancient African trade and educational center of Timbuktu and modern scholars’ race to save ancient manuscripts. Read the complete article and see photos—and talk about it here! The Smithsonian Institution is a member of the My Wonderful World coalition. (See the Smithsonian’s special My Wonderful World pages.) My Wonderful World Home | About My Wonderful … Continue reading The Treasures of Timbuktu
Here’s a great Q&A from Canada.com about “Mr. Geography,” a Toronto taxi driver named Mohammad Saaed Collins who offers a free ride to anyone who can answer a single geography question correctly. Why geography? As Collins puts it, it’s “the most important subject for humans.” “We’re standing on geography. People are born on geography. Moving from place to place is geography. If you study it … Continue reading Need a Ride? Call Mr. Geography
An article in the Washington Post looks at the growing popularity of map mash-ups: “In the year since Google, Microsoft and others made their mapping programs available for free, thousands of Web developers have used them as digital canvases to display information.” Read the article and see our list of some cool map mash-ups (and ways to make your own). Continue reading “‘Mash-Ups’” Add Data to Online Maps
