Oldest Igneous Meteorite May Reveal Secrets of Our Early Solar System

SCIENCE A 4.565-billion-year-old space rock hints at the way Earth and other rocky planets took shape. (Phys.org) What is a meteorite? Use our introductory reference to learn more. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas NWA 11119 is the oldest igneous meteorite yet dated. What does NWA stand for? Northwest Africa. The space rock was discovered … Continue reading Oldest Igneous Meteorite May Reveal Secrets of Our Early Solar System

Diamonds from Space Hint at a Long-Lost Planet

SCIENCE A gem-studded meteorite that fell in Sudan offers clues about the protoplanets that likely existed in our solar system’s violent past. (National Geographic) What are meteorites? Use our resource to learn more. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Ten years ago, amateur and professional astronomers tracked a meteoroid headed to Earth. Then, they tracked … Continue reading Diamonds from Space Hint at a Long-Lost Planet

Parts of Stonehenge May Have Been In Place Long Before Humans

WORLD One of the mysteries of Stonehenge is why its giant stones were dragged to an unremarkable hillside instead of being erected where they were originally found. One archaeologist might have an answer—some of the stones were already there. (Science Alert) Learn a little more about the stones of Stonehenge, and test yourself with our 5-question Quick Quiz! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list … Continue reading Parts of Stonehenge May Have Been In Place Long Before Humans

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%

Why Two Volcanoes in Hawaii Are So Close, but So Different

SCIENCE Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two volcanoes which have beguiled millions of tourists visiting the Hawaiian islands, have also intrigued scientists with a long-running mystery: If they are so close together, how did they develop in two parallel tracks over the same hot spot—and why are their chemical compositions so different? (New York Times) Why are there volcanoes in Hawaii? Teachers, scroll down for … Continue reading Why Two Volcanoes in Hawaii Are So Close, but So Different