Sonia Saunders taught her fifth-graders how plants and animals obtain energy by presenting students with three “phenomena.” Through research, creativity, and collaboration, students were able to better understand Earth’s natural processes and see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Channeling Curiosity to Teach Natural Phenomena
Lyanne Abreu connected her urban students with the natural world around them through a challenge offered by the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden. Students learned about native and migratory bird species in South Florida and collected data, making observations at specific sites and documenting their findings in journals. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Developing the Patience to See
ENVIRONMENT As the ocean temperature rises, it may be the little things that make the biggest difference to the survival and resilience of all living things. (Hakai) What are limpets? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research indicates the lowly limpet may be one of the most efficient adapters to climate change. What … Continue reading Limpets Do the Heavy Lifting in Adapting to Climate Change
ENVIRONMENT As glaciers thaw, one colorful group of microorganisms is thriving. (The New Yorker) Enough with the microbes—what else causes red snow? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit Text Set. Discussion Ideas The terrific New Yorker article explains the phenomenon of “watermelon snow.” What is watermelon snow? Watermelon snow, also called pink snow or blood snow, is … Continue reading The Last Snow on Earth May Be Pink
Patrick Blessinger, this week’s Educator of the Week, finds ways to connect his students with the natural world despite their school’s inner-city location. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Finding Nature in the City
