Tag: science

From astronomy to zoology, science is always in the news and making headlines. Use our study guides to help bring these interdisciplinary issues to class.

Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Hello! Whales Can Imitate Human Speech

SCIENCE Killer whales able to copy words such as ‘hello’ and ‘bye bye’ as well as sounds from other orcas. (Guardian) What other animal sounds can whales imitate? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas An orca named Wikie has quasi-successfully imitated basic human speech. According to the Guardian, what two elements make genuine human speech possible? … Continue reading Hello! Whales Can Imitate Human Speech

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

How Flowering Plants Conquered the World

SCIENCE Scientists think they have the answer to what Charles Darwin called an “abominable mystery”: How flowers evolved and spread to become the dominant plants on Earth. (BBC) Get this game to teach young students basic botany. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research digs into the genetics of flowering plants. What are flowering … Continue reading How Flowering Plants Conquered the World

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Classroom Ideas, Creature Feature, Current Event Connection, Main

Scientists Scratch the Surface of Pterosaur Diets

SCIENCE Microscopic scratches on fossil teeth are forcing paleontologists to rethink diets of pterosaurs. (Nature) Use our fun activity to build your own pterosaur. (Yes, our lovely Dimorphodon illustration is out-of-date. Use the one below.) Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New fossil research sheds light on the diets of pterosaurs. What are pterosaurs? Read … Continue reading Scientists Scratch the Surface of Pterosaur Diets

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Classroom Ideas, Creature Feature, Current Event Connection, Main

Is This Bird an Arsonist?

SCIENCE The indigenous peoples of northern Australia have long told tales about raptors intentionally starting fires in order to lure their prey into the open. Now, a scientific study has documented these “firehawks.” (International Business Times) It’s the Year of the Bird, and that apparently includes fire-starting raptors. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A … Continue reading Is This Bird an Arsonist?

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Main, News from Nat Geo

Talking Evolution: The Challenge of Influenza – Part 1

It’s that time of year again. It’s “Flu Season”—and those words mean different things to different people. For some of us, “flu season” is synonymous with the idea that we might come down with a “cold” and feel crummy for a few days. For a smaller group, it means that we are at risk of a life-threatening illness. As a teacher of middle school students, … Continue reading Talking Evolution: The Challenge of Influenza – Part 1

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