Hello! Whales Can Imitate Human Speech

SCIENCE Killer whales able to copy words such as ‘hello’ and ‘bye bye’ as well as sounds from other orcas. (Guardian) What other animal sounds can whales imitate? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas An orca named Wikie has quasi-successfully imitated basic human speech. According to the Guardian, what two elements make genuine human speech possible? … Continue reading Hello! Whales Can Imitate Human Speech

Unicorns of the Sea Get Brain Freeze

ENVIRONMENT Narwhals’ hearts beat only a few times a minute while escaping danger, adding to stress on their bodies from human interactions. (National Geographic) What adaptations help narwhals survive in the Arctic? Help students brainstorm with our activity. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A new study examines narwhals’ response to fear or stress. What … Continue reading Unicorns of the Sea Get Brain Freeze

Activate the Bat Signal! Bats Crowdsource Their Dialects

SCIENCE Are mothers or the collective cacophony of the colony more effective in teaching young bats how to communicate? (National Geographic) Go a little batty with our Creature Feature on nectar bats. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit.   Discussion Ideas New research documents how bats learn distinct “dialects.” What are bat dialects? Bat dialects simply describe … Continue reading Activate the Bat Signal! Bats Crowdsource Their Dialects

The Science of Flavor

SCIENCE We don’t all experience flavor the same way. How we taste a food’s flavor can be affected by colors, temperature—and music? (The Guardian) Watch our video to understand the science of taste. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Watch the video and read through our media spotlight “A Matter of Taste.” What basic taste … Continue reading The Science of Flavor

Some Scientists Dress Up All Year

SCIENCE It’s Halloween year-round for some wildlife researchers, who don costumes to get closer to the animals they’re working to save. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to see panda researchers in their natural environment. Teachers, scroll all the way down for a short list of key resources in our “Teachers’ Toolkit.” Discussion Ideas Read the delightful Nat Geo News article about scientists who wear … Continue reading Some Scientists Dress Up All Year