Earth and Space Sciences
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Planetary Science
Exoplanet spills its guts
Scientists just caught a rare glimpse of an exoplanet’s innards. Learn how scientists use wavelength data from the James Webb Space Telescope to figure out what exoplanets might be made of. Answer questions about the value of personification as a literary device, all the while discussing how knowledge gleaned from one discovery can help scientists answer new and lingering questions.
- Life
Fungal Solutions
Across the planet, people throw away over two billion metric tons of waste every year. That waste feeds into environmental problems from climate change to pollution. So how can we reduce the amount of waste we produce? In this activity, students will categorize and record the waste they produce daily and reflect on the amount of “invisible” waste produced before they receive products. Students will then identify solutions for reducing each category of waste.
- Earth
Slumbering water volcanoes
ooking for exciting and important applications of the phases of matter? Have students answer a set of questions relating changes in pressure to changes in states of matter. Learn about how hydrothermal explosions occur and the risk for these at Yellowstone National Park, all while discussing how geologists use core data to piece together geological history.
- Earth
Analysis of marine heat waves
Global temperatures are at an all-time high due to the compounded effects of climate change and El Nino. Oceans around the world are warming at an alarming rate. In summer 2023, some 40 percent of the world’s oceans were affected by heat waves.
- Health & Medicine
Air pollution and human health
In August of 2018, scientists published research showing how air pollution shaves off about a year on average from human life expectancy. In more polluted regions of Asia and Africa, lives are shortened by 1.5–2 years on average. Loss in life expectancy rises with increasing concentrations of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5).
- Climate
Hottest year on record
Since temperature record-keeping began 150 years ago, the 12-month period from November 2022 through October 2023 was the hottest on record until temperatures in 2024 exceeded those in 2023. The heat raised sea surface temperatures, melted sea ice and endangered human health.
- Climate
Antarctic sea ice
In 2023, the expanse of floating ice encircling Antarctica hit record lows throughout the year. Scientists expect dramatic declines in sea ice at Earth’s other pole but hadn’t observed major changes in the Antarctic until the last few years.
- Materials Science
Build It: Climate Design Challenge
As global temperatures increase we’ll need to change how we design our buildings. Climate responsive architecture includes buildings that are designed with the regional climate in mind. In this activity, students will design a building that stays at a safe and comfortable temperature throughout the day. In their designs, students will have to consider the Sun’s movement in the sky and their buildings’ materials and shapes. Students will model and test their designs before learning about a new idea scientists have for climate responsive architecture.
- Earth
Amazon deforestation
Scientists agree that the Amazon is in grave trouble because of human activities, such as deforestation, and climate change. Past studies have suggested certain rates of deforestation would trigger the Amazon to transform into a savanna, but many scientists now say the forest probably doesn’t have a single, clear tipping point. Still, researchers are working to understand what needs to be done — and how soon — to save the forest. Use the map and graph titled “Rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon” to have students analyze the area and rate of deforestation in the Amazon.
- Microbes
Immunity and polar bear pathogens
Students will learn how their bodies help protect them from bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders. Have students review the major components of the immune system and investigate the life cycles of a few prevalent pathogens of polar bears, focusing on the mode of transmission and effects of being infected by the pathogen. Students will then infer why polar bears are being exposed to these pathogens more regularly.
- Animals
Giant rats in training
Wildlife smugglers beware: A new border-patrol agent may scurry into nearby airports. Learn how African giant pouched rats in tiny red vests are being trained to sniff out elephant ivory and other illegal goods from at-risk species. Then answer questions about the ethics of the experimental design of animal studies and the value of biodiversity.
- Climate
Methane in the Atmosphere
To tackle our warming climate, we’ll need to rein in emissions of carbon dioxide, but there’s another greenhouse gas at play: methane. Decreasing methane concentrations may be the best bet for stopping rising temperatures in the short term.
