ENVIRONMENT A recent study finds that the often-feared big cats actually help keep crops and domesticated animals safe from other threats. (Scientific American) Zoom in on the dwindling range of the biggest of the big cats with today’s MapMaker Interactive map. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research investigates “ecosystem services” offered by tigers … Continue reading How Tigers Benefit Farmers
ENVIRONMENT Honeybee hives aren’t natural, and they don’t help the environment. In fact, they may harm it. (NPR) Help wild bees! Build your own bee hotel! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The NPR article says honeybees are not native species in the U.S. So, where did they come from? How did they get … Continue reading Honeybees Help Farmers, But They Don’t Help the Environment
UNITED STATES As cheaper technology and a changing climate make growing food easier, more Alaskans are turning to farming. (High Country News) When is Alaska’s growing season? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit Text Set. Discussion Ideas What makes Alaska’s physical geography ideal for farming? Alaska’s geologic activity has created rich soil. “Thanks to built-up organic matter … Continue reading Alaska: The Last Frontier of Farming
SCIENCE Thousands of years before cats came to dominate Internet culture, they swept through ancient Eurasia and Africa, carried by farmers, mariners and even Vikings. So finds the first large-scale look at ancient-cat DNA. (Nature) Use our video study guide to explore the origins of the domestic cat. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas For … Continue reading How Cats Conquered the World
What did you learn this week? We learned … … why we’re still using bad maps, and what the most beautiful projection in the world is. Why are so many maps so distorted? … nine questions to help you evaluate the credibility of a news source. How can you integrate news into your curriculum? … cows can text. How else can technology benefit … Continue reading 11 Things We Learned This Week
