Tag: adaptation

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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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Floating Fire Ants Mess with Texas

ENVIRONMENT They’re more venomous, more aggressive, and “Holy crap. I have never, in my entire career as an ant researcher, seen *anything* like this.” (The Atlantic) What are fire ants? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Take a look at some of the jaw-dropping photos of fire ant colonies floating in the floodwaters of the … Continue reading Floating Fire Ants Mess with Texas

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Are Mosquitoes Outsmarting Mosquito Nets?

SCIENCE Can something as simple as a treated net change the way mosquitoes actually behave? The answer may be yes. (NOVA Next) Learn more about the science of mosquito nets with our great little study guide. Discussion Ideas New research indicates that mosquitoes may develop behavioral resistance to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). What are ITNs? Take a look at our study guide for some help. Insecticide-treated … Continue reading Are Mosquitoes Outsmarting Mosquito Nets?

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Classroom Ideas, Creature Feature, This Week in Geographic History

Weekly Warm-Up: Arctic Adaptations

February 27 is International Polar Bear Day! Every year, this day draws attention to the challenges faced by polar bears and other animals in a warming Arctic. What better time to learn about the amazing adaptations of Arctic animals? (And alliteration, apparently.) The Arctic is home to life that exists nowhere else on Earth. Polar bears, narwhals, bowhead whales and other creatures that are able … Continue reading Weekly Warm-Up: Arctic Adaptations

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