7 Wonders of the World, Times 7

Where are the “Seven Wonders of the World”? Well … Seven Wonders of the Ancient World • Great Pyramid at Giza• Hanging Gardens of Babylon• Colossus of Rhodes• Lighthouse of Alexandria• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus• Mausoleum at Halicarnassus• Statue of Zeus at Olympia     Seven Wonders of the Natural World • Great Barrier Reef• Mount Everest• Victoria Falls• Paracutin volcano• the Auroras• the … Continue reading 7 Wonders of the World, Times 7

Educator Spotlight: Designing Solutions to Conservation Challenges

Kimberly Waite guided her students through a design challenge inspired by a collaboration with National Geographic Explorer Erina Molina. Students gained background knowledge of the dugong, an endangered marine mammal, through interdisciplinary learning projects. Then, they designed a prototype of a net and boat with the goal of preventing dugongs from being caught as bycatch.   Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Designing Solutions to Conservation Challenges

Switzerland Protects the Alps with a Blanket

ENVIRONMENT In the Swiss Alps, efforts to stop glacial melting have become commonplace. Each year, for example, a group of residents makes its way to the Rhône Glacier to cover up the ice in huge white blankets. (Smithsonian) Adapt our activity to learn more about how light-colored surfaces have a cooling effect on Earth. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in … Continue reading Switzerland Protects the Alps with a Blanket

Can Artificial Glaciers Help Solve the Himalaya Water Crisis?

ENVIRONMENT Engineers hope that when the man-made sculptures melt, they will provide water in times of need. (BBC) How do communities rely on glaciers? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit Text Set, including today’s simple MapMaker Interactive map. Discussion Ideas The BBC article and video outline one solution to the “water crisis in the Himalaya.” Why does … Continue reading Can Artificial Glaciers Help Solve the Himalaya Water Crisis?

10 Things We Learned This Week!

What did you learn this week? We learned … … you can print your own portable universe—for free! How do cartographers usually depict the universe?   … how to navigate the languages of New York. Editor’s pick of the week! What other areas of the world rank highly in the language diversity index?   … why earworm songs are earworm songs. What songs are your … Continue reading 10 Things We Learned This Week!