FOOD Food packaging isn’t just the shell that protects or contains a product. It’s a powerful miniature billboard—a tool that food producers use to reel in customers. It’s also a document, of sorts, that conveys how a food was produced and whether the government has overseen that process. The problem for consumers? Knowing the difference. (Nat Geo’s The Plate blog) Use our resources, including interactives, … Continue reading An Eater’s Guide to Food Labels
A few weeks ago, my brother and I were invited to speak with the staff at an organization called Marstel-Day. Where did the name Marstel-Day come from? Well this is the explanation we were given, and it makes so much sense: Mar stands for ocean and stel stands for star so, Marstel loosely translates to “star of the sea.” Marstel-Day’s tagline is “Conservation Consulting from Sea to … Continue reading Stand With Wildlife
BUSINESS One of the largest blue diamonds in the world is coming to auction, expected to fetch more than $30 million. (Forbes) Diamonds are a geologist’s best friend! Use our resources to find out why. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The “Millennium Jewel 4” is one of the most valuable diamonds ever to come … Continue reading Why So Blue, Diamond?
ENVIRONMENT Deep-sea mining has been coming for the better part of 50 years. Now, experts argue that this process can be done sustainably, with minimal disturbance to the surrounding seafloor. (Undark) Use our resources to better understand undersea mining—and the other kind of SMS. Teachers, scroll down for a short list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, including today’s simple MapMaker Interactive map. An … Continue reading Mining in the Deep
SCIENCE The Northern Lights are a beautiful sight—but, it turns out, they can mess up drilling operations. (Gizmodo) Use our resources to learn all about auroras! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas According to new research, those lovely Northern Lights can disrupt offshore oil drilling. What are the Northern Lights? Read through our encyclopedic entry … Continue reading Arctic Drilling Faces Threat from Outer Space
