SCIENCE A strong earthquake rocked Nepal early Saturday, destroying buildings, damaging historic temples, and killing more than 4,000 people. (Nat Geo News) Explore the impact of the quake and the tectonically active region of Himalayas with today’s MapMaker Interactive. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas In our video “Earthquakes 101,” we learn that most earthquakes … Continue reading Quake Devastates Nepal
When it comes to our planet, we are used to its seasons and weather patterns. And while we can predict the onset of hurricanes and tornadoes, it is often difficult to determine when earthquakes may strike or when volcanoes may erupt. By studying natural events on Earth, however, scientists can learn about other planets and their moons. By looking for commonalities in natural events and physical land formations, scientists … Continue reading Weekly Warm-Up: What it Means to be Frozen in Space
Melissa Sullivan, this week’s Educator of the Week, inspires her 5th graders to care about natural disasters through the lens of science, social studies, and math. Read about how she connects her Earth Science lessons to real-world situations. Activity: Teaching about Natural Disasters Grade Level: 5 Time Commitment: Two weeks When I teach, I like to augment my lessons with a local, regional, and global perspective. … Continue reading Featured Activity: Teaching about Natural Disasters
TECHNOLOGY When disaster strikes, chaos can ensue—especially on social media, where thousands of Tweets, Facebook posts, and Instagrams can overwhelm human capacity to get a clear picture of who needs what. “Crisis mapper” Patrick Meier is harnessing the information-gathering power of social media to improve the speed and effectiveness of typhoon-relief efforts in the Philippines. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to learn more about … Continue reading Crisis Mapping the Philippines
UNITED STATES Oklahoma Devastated by Twisters A powerful tornado roared through Oklahoma City on May 20, killing more than 50 people and leaving rescue workers frantically searching for survivors. This video shows the mile-wide tornado as it swirls near the Oklahoma City suburb of Newcastle. This video shows the aftermath of the deadly tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Discussion Ideas: Look at our “Forces of Nature” … Continue reading Twister Devastates Oklahoma
