NASA Space Place en Español

Introduce Spanish-speaking learners to space and Earth science online through engaging games, hands-on activities, articles, and short videos. Most appropriate for grades 3–5, the site has articles about Earth, the Sun, the solar system, the universe, and technology. In addition to content for students, the website features resources in Spanish for parents and teachers. For example, El glosario presents definitions of more than 60 space-related terms and concepts discussed on the site.

I Like That! How Perception, Emotion, and Cognition Shape Our Preferences

In this three-part lesson from education studio Galactic Polymath, students will conduct experiments and analyze real scientific data as they learn about themselves. They’ll discover how humans’ eyes and brains interact to determine what we like and dislike, and apply this knowledge to fish research and the art of character design. Watch a trailer for the lesson.

Though the lesson focuses on vision, the framework applies to all the senses. The lesson is based on the Next Generation Science Standards, as well as on standards for math, English language arts, and social studies.

Freezing: Is It a Desalination Opportunity?
 
Untapped Potential, a short film from Chemistry Shorts, and Freezing: Is It a Desalination Opportunity?, its accompanying lab experiment, give students in grades 9–12 a chance to investigate chemistry-inspired innovations relating to a safe water supply. The film highlights critical challenges in water supply, re-use, and purification and features chemistry-inspired innovations that have been developed as potential solutions.

After watching the film, students are challenged to create fresh, drinkable water from simulated sea water in the lab. The lab explores fundamental properties of water and allows students to investigate the effects of freezing on saltwater as a possible method of desalination, a method that researchers are studying as a possible large-scale desalination alternative. The lab lesson plan features suggested modifications to address the needs of various classrooms and levels of equipment availability, as well as background reading and connections to chemistry topics like freezing-point depression and thermodynamics for more advanced classroom discussions.

Fulbright Teacher Exchanges
 
Applications have opened for the following programs.

• Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program. Spend three to six months overseas completing educational research and collaborating with host country colleagues. (Deadline February 20)
• Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program. Participate in a year-long professional learning opportunity and short-term (two to three weeks) overseas travel focused on building teachers’ capacity to develop their students’ global competence. (Deadline February 20)

American Meteorological Society’s Summer Courses
 
The American Meteorological Society’s summer professional development courses Project Atmosphere and Project Ocean are accepting applications through March 24. These competitive courses are open to K–12 teachers and include online and in-person components and field experiences. All travel expenses are covered, and participants receive stipends and earn graduate credit upon successful completion.

Physics of Atomic Nuclei Summer Program

The Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) free residential summer program for U.S. high school students is accepting applications for summer 2023. PAN participants will explore scientific research in nuclear astrophysics, conduct their own experiments, and discover applications for society. The program will run during July 23–28 at Michigan State University. Apply by March 27.

Virtual Session: Why Rivers Need to Flow

On January 18, Natalie Shahbol, Freshwater Specialist at the World Wildlife Fund, will discuss why freshwater resources must be used responsibly to avoid devastating impacts to the environment. She’ll explain all of the benefits rivers provide and how students can help take care of the rivers in their communities. Prepare for the session by downloading a free supplemental material pack for pre- and post-activities, including bell-ringers, worksheets, Kahoot games, and Wild Classroom activities.