Month: March 2014

Current Event Connection, Main

New Report on Climate Change

ENVIRONMENT The world’s leading body of climate scientists has released a major report on the impacts of climate change, with the goal of spurring world leaders to act more decisively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand how climate change can be addressed by government, industry, communities, and individuals. Discussion Ideas One of the most pressing concerns about … Continue reading New Report on Climate Change

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Main

Biodiversity Festival

By Stuart Thornton, National Geographic Roving Reporter There is a lot to see at BioBlitz’s Biodiversity Festival. Inside a long tented pavilion, manned booths offer students, teachers and parents information about a wide variety of subjects from—local San Francisco Bay area parks to artistically created oyster reefs. The Marine Mammal Center, KQED Science and, of course, National Geographic Education have set up areas that receive … Continue reading Biodiversity Festival

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Main

Pedal Power

By Stuart Thornton, National Geographic Roving Reporter AshEl SeaSunZ stalks the main stage at BioBlitz’s Biodiversity Festival rapping about alternative energy—while seven kids and adults furiously pedal stationary bicycles nearby. It turns out the cyclists in the tent are an important component of SeaSunZ’s show: their pedaling provides energy for the stage’s audio system. When the power starts to get low, a red light turns … Continue reading Pedal Power

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Main

Raptors: The Reality Show

By Stuart Thornton, National Geographic On the main stage at the BioBlitz Biodiversity Festival, Jenny Papka of Native Bird Connections has the full crowd in the palm of her hand. She showcases three birds of prey during her “Raptors: The Reality Show” presentation. Papka begins by showing the crowd a live American kestrel—a bird she calls the “F-14 fighter of the raptor world.” Next up is a … Continue reading Raptors: The Reality Show

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Exploring Our World, Main

Muir Woods Mammals and More

By Stuart Thornton, National Geographic Roving Reporter, with editorial graffiti by his editor It is nighttime in Muir Woods National Park, and we wonder what animals might be scampering around under the giant redwood trees.   Before heading out on the two-mile loop around the park, the leader of our BioBlitz “Mammals and More” inventory hike, Dave MacKenzie, says that it is possible to see … Continue reading Muir Woods Mammals and More

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