Educator Guide: Critter Crater and Future Technology

About this guide

In these lesson plans paired to the May issue of Science News Explores, students will learn how researchers used the scientific method to study a beloved landmark and will consider the science behind future pieces of technology and how they could be used to solve a problem or design an experiment.

This Guide Includes:

Critter crater

Learn how researchers use the scientific method to study a beloved landmark — Chicago’s “Rat Hole.” Practice designing your own experiment and creating a hypothesis. Learn to draw conclusions from data, all while using your investigative spirit to study the nuances of this mysterious impression, then make your own observations.

Features of future technology

Scientists and engineers are hard at work developing new technologies that will impact everyday life. Students will focus on one future piece of technology and consider the science behind it before brainstorming ways to use it to solve a problem or design an experiment.