Sun Safety for All

Many people have misconceptions about the sun’s rays and sun damage. A recent New York Times article details some of the myths young people have. This lesson plan for grades 3–8, developed with Neutrogena SkinU, can help students separate facts from myths as they explore UV rays, the UV Index, and sun safety tips. The lesson integrates health, STEM, and English Language Arts.

Gear Up for Adventure with The Wild Robot

Inspired by the upcoming film (in theaters on September 27), this multi-curriculum English Language Arts and Social and Emotional Learning lesson incorporates STEM, including a look at the logical thinking and instructions used by robots in carrying out tasks, encouraging students to explore how technology and nature can co-exist, and in the digital magazine, a look at how computer animation combines the art and voices to bring the film to life.

Biodiversity at Risk: Your Choices Matter

Based on a report developed by an international panel of experts convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, this lesson plan encourages students to explore biodiversity, including what it is, how human activities are putting it at risk, and what we can do to protect it. Students discover the wide array of organisms that populate our planet, research one of the almost one million species currently at risk, explore the diversity of life in their own backyard, and learn what they can do to lessen human impact on biodiversity. The lesson integrates STEM, English Language Arts, and Social and Emotional Learning.

Skin Science 

This health and science lesson now includes a classroom PowerPoint presentation featuring information on careers in dermatology, examples of skin conditions, ways to care for skin, and warning signs of melanoma.

NASA GEO Virtual Visits

Want to enhance your Earth and space science lessons with STEM experts? Connect your students with the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-R Series) weather satellite program during a virtual visit. Participants can interact with experts from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 30- to 45-minute-long live programs to learn more about the GOES-R Series, the Western Hemisphere’s most sophisticated weather-observing and environmental monitoring system, and its benefits to daily life. U.S.-based schools, museums, science centers, and other educational organizations may apply for virtual visits. 

The schedule is open through May 31, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.goes-r.gov/resources/education.html.

Project Dragonfly’s Graduate Programs for Science Educators

Miami University’s Project Dragonfly is accepting applications for its 2025 Earth Expeditions graduate courses that offer experiences at global field sites in 15 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Tuition is greatly reduced because of support from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio. Earth Expeditions can build toward the Global Field Program (GFP), a master's degree that combines summer field courses worldwide with web learning communities so that students can complete the GFP master's part-time from anywhere in the United States or abroad. Courses begin in May 2025. Apply by January 15, 2025.

Project Dragonfly also offers the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) master's degree that combines web instruction from Miami University with face-to-face experiential learning and field study through several AIP sites in the United States. Applications for Miami's 2025 cohorts will be accepted until February 15, 2025, with place-based experiences provided at zoos and botanical gardens in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, New York, San Diego, and St. Louis.

In addition to master's degree programs, Project Dragonfly's core online and AIP web+ graduate courses may be taken on a stand-alone basis for professional development and lifelong learning. 

Teaching the Science of Sound Amplification

In this October 2 edWebinar from nonprofit TeachRock, educators will learn about amplification from Les Paul’s early experiments to The Beatles’ struggles to be heard, and about the tinkering scientists of the 1960s and 70s Grateful Dead entourage and why we owe many live music innovations to them. Attendees will explore hands-on science lessons that help students define and demonstrate sound through interactive activities, as well as identify the basic components of a PA system by assembling a working loudspeaker. They will also discover effective techniques for teaching the history of amplification and leave with engaging, ready-to-use lessons from TeachRock’s free resources.

This edWebinar will be of interest to K–12 teachers, librarians, and school leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation. Educators can earn CE certificates that are accepted for PD hours and teacher license renewal in 44 states.