Once Written Off for Dead, the Aral Sea Is Now Full of Life

ENVIRONMENT Thanks to large-scale restoration efforts, the North Aral Sea has seen a resurgence of fish—a boon to the communities that rely on it. (National Geographic) Use our resources to learn more about how the Aral Sea was written off for dead to begin with, and why it won’t ever fully recover. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers … Continue reading Once Written Off for Dead, the Aral Sea Is Now Full of Life

Secret to Greenland’s ‘Vanishing’ Lakes

ENVIRONMENT Huge lakes atop Greenlandic glaciers are vanishing. Now, scientists know why. (Washington Post) Look below Greenland’s “vanishing ice” with our terrific map. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, and don’t forget to take this week’s current events quiz!   Discussion Ideas According to the Washington Post, Greenland’s ice sheet and supraglacial lakes melt unevenly. Where is … Continue reading Secret to Greenland’s ‘Vanishing’ Lakes

Fishy Situation

ENVIRONMENT Thousands of goldfish have taken over a lake in Colorado. (Boulder Camera) Get an introduction to invasive species with our activity. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Read through our activity “Introduction to Invasive Species.” Apply its questions to the fish in Teller Lake. What type of fish are “taking over” Teller Lake? Trick … Continue reading Fishy Situation

Where Has All the Water Gone?

ENVIRONMENT Once the fourth-largest lake in the world, Central Asia’s shrinking Aral Sea has reached a new low, thanks to decades-old water diversions and a more recent drought. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand this ongoing environmental catastrophe. Discussion Ideas According to our media spotlight “Disappearing Lake,” the Aral Sea has always been a saline (salty) lake, but it has become much … Continue reading Where Has All the Water Gone?

Ancient Hunting Camp Found Beneath Lake Huron

SCIENCE Deep below the surface of Lake Huron, scuba-diving researchers have found an elaborate network of hunting blinds and animal-herding structures dating back roughly 9,000 years. (USA Today) Can you find the sunken treasure? Discussion Ideas The USA Today article reports that 9,000 years ago, water levels in Lake Huron were about 76 meters (250 feet) lower than they are today. The shallower lake exposed … Continue reading Ancient Hunting Camp Found Beneath Lake Huron