What did you learn this week? Let us know in the comments or at education@ngs.org. This week, we learned … … crosswalk buttons are just one example of “placebo buttons” that don’t actually do anything. Do you think “placebo buttons” are helpful to pedestrians? Why or why not? Do some tests in your neighborhood! Does pressing a crosswalk button really hasten a red light? Video: … Continue reading 10 Things We Learned This Week
FOOD In the 1940s, Joe and Fay Gock fled to New Zealand from China. In the best video you’ll watch all week, see how they repaid their host country by rescuing a staple crop—the sweet potato—after a disease ravaged much of the country’s supply. (The Atlantic) Use our sweet, sweet map layer to see where sweet potatoes are being produced. We have two teaching strategies … Continue reading How Chinese Refugees Saved the Sweet Potato
SPORTS This month, competitors representing the nations participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics will be joined by a small group walking without a national flag—refugee athletes set to make history on the global sporting stage. (Geographical) Use our resources to learn more about refugees. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit, including a link to today’s MapMaker Interactive … Continue reading What is the Refugee Olympic Team?
WORLD Thousands of Central American people are journeying through Mexico to the United States. The influx of migrants may soon rival the surge of arrivals that sparked a border crisis in 2014. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Why are so many Central American people fleeing their homes to come to the U.S.? In the “Northern … Continue reading Wave of Central American Migrants Approaches 2014 Crisis Levels
Nicole Eshelman, this week’s Educator of the Week, used personal stories to help students understand and empathize with refugees fleeing Syria and elsewhere. Nicole teaches history at Manheim Township High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Activity: Mapping the Refugee Crisis Grade Level: 12 Time Commitment: Around 6 hours or five class periods Developing Global Empathy History is, of course, alive and always changing. Studying a current … Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Mapping the Refugee Crisis
