Tag: minerals

Educator Spotlight, Main

Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Stories Behind Smartphones

Loris Chen designed a unit that guides her eighth-grade students through an exploration of smartphones. Students follow the product life cycle from beginning to end, discovering what raw materials are used, how they are sourced, and how sustainable they are. The project culminates with students producing videos to share their ideas for improving smartphone sustainability. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Stories Behind Smartphones

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

This Rock May Increase Your Internet Speed by 1000%

TECHNOLOGY The “miracle material” perovskite could hold the key to ultra-high-speed communications and computing, researchers say. (Forbes and Newsweek) Where can you find perovskite? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A new use of the familiar mineral perovskite could make the Internet 1,000 faster! Scientists are discovering new characteristics of perovskite due to its ability … Continue reading This Rock May Increase Your Internet Speed by 1000%

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Current Event Connection, Main

Caveman Chemistry

SCIENCE Scientists know a lot about Neanderthals these days, from their hair color to their mating habits. Still, a basic mystery remains: Did they know how to start a fire? (Scientific American) Take a walk through “Hominin History” for a look at Neanderthals and their closest relatives. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, including today’s simple MapMaker … Continue reading Caveman Chemistry

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Crusty Old Australia

SCIENCE Australia holds the oldest continental crust on Earth, researchers have confirmed, rocks some 4.4 billion years old. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to learn more about the oldest stuff on Earth, and our planet’s other extremes. Discussion Ideas The new study suggests the Jack Hills zircons were part of Earth’s primitive crust, formed about 100 million years after the Earth itself. So, what … Continue reading Crusty Old Australia

carylsue4 Comments
Current Event Connection, Geography In the News

Not Just a Pretty Facet

SCIENCE Not Just a Pretty Facet A jewelry store is an archive of the Earth. Every gem fixed to every ring or necklace was forged deep inside our planet, according to its own recipe of elements, temperature and pressure. Discussion Ideas The article is about the importance of all jewels to the study of geology. However, Carl Zimmer, the New York Times science writer, focuses … Continue reading Not Just a Pretty Facet

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