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?
ENVIRONMENT A large-scale conservation project is underway on an Australian cattle ranch. Its aim: to help save the Great Barrier Reef, 12 miles away. (New Scientist) Why is ag not so sweet for the Great Barrier Reef? Teachers, scroll down for a text set in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas “The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Site, and one that is known to … Continue reading Saving the Great Barrier Reef, One Wetland at a Time
SCIENCE Scientists have described a remarkable collection of dinosaur tracks on beaches in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. (BBC) How do paleontologists drone for dinos in the Kimberley? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list at key resources in our Teachers Toolkit, including today’s MapMaker Interactive map of “Australia’s Jurassic Park.” Discussion Ideas New research details the rich ichnofauna of the northern Western Australian … Continue reading Largest Dinosaur Footprint Found in Australia
SCIENCE Members of the Stolen Generations may finally find a way back to their country, thanks to new research that reveals differences in Aboriginal DNA can be linked to specific geographic areas. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Who were the Stolen Generations? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Where did the first Australians come from? Take a … Continue reading DNA Confirms Aboriginal Australians Have Been in the Country a Long Time
GEOGRAPHY There’s a good chance Aboriginal people mapped out Australia’s road network thousands of years before Europeans arrived—and used star charts to do it. (Phys.org) Use our resources to learn more about how Aboriginal Australians charted their landscape. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Phys.org article focuses on star maps created by Aboriginal Australians, … Continue reading Aboriginal Songlines Helped Draw the Map in Australia
