SCIENCE The indigenous peoples of northern Australia have long told tales about raptors intentionally starting fires in order to lure their prey into the open. Now, a scientific study has documented these “firehawks.” (International Business Times) It’s the Year of the Bird, and that apparently includes fire-starting raptors. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A … Continue reading Is This Bird an Arsonist?
ENVIRONMENT It’s more important than ever to understand how wildfires work, and their lasting implications on our health and the environment. (Nat Geo sponsored content) What tools do firefighters use to combat blazes? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit Text Set, including a lesson plan from Smokey Bear. Discussion Ideas Read through the Nat Geo article. … Continue reading Wildfires 101: What You Need to Know
HEALTH Climate change is poised to affect the health of Americans in every part of the country. (LiveScience) How do you teach about climate change? How do you not teach about climate change? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health lists eight ways in which human health will … Continue reading Climate Change Is Making Us Sick
SCIENCE Humans’ ability to control fire is among the most important technological advances in our evolutionary history. Research on Neanderthal cave sites is offering new insights on this old enigma. Maybe not as old as we think. (Sapiens) Could Neanderthals start a fire? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources, including today’s simple MapMaker Interactive map. Discussion Ideas Most people think that … Continue reading We Didn’t Start the Fire (Until Much Later Than We Thought We Did)
Video and text courtesy our own Eric Berkenpas! Watch our Remote Imaging Team test a fireproof camera housing! Designed by engineer Mike Shepard and built by machinist Mohsen Ahmed, the boxy little beauty above can withstand outside temperatures of 1000° Celsius (2000° Fahrenheit). Inside the housing, it’s a comfortable 27° Celsius (80° Fahrenheit)! Don’t try this at home! The Firecam was built for Nat Geo … Continue reading Firecam! Just Another Day at Nat Geo …
