Physical Science
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Our ongoing battle with bacteria
These discussion prompts focus on the nature of bacteria and types of antibiotics, as well as methods for dealing with antibiotic resistance.
- Life
A look back at antibiotics
Students will search the Science News archive for stories related to antibiotics and bacterial infections.
- Life
Reviewing bacterial defenses
These questions focus on student understanding of gram-negative bacteria and the bacteria's response to antibiotics.
- Chemistry
Opening a battery’s black box
These discussion prompts ask students to think about ways that different elements create varied results in battery design, and related redox reactions.
- Chemistry
Beyond today’s batteries
Students will search the Science News archive for stories related to battery research.
- Chemistry
Seeking next-gen batteries
Based on the Science News article "Charging the future," these questions focus on battery design, how lithium-ion batteries compare with newer types and the nature of experimental design.
- Climate
Our changing planet
These discussion prompts cover radiant energy coming to and from Earth, the effects of global warming on the land, ocean, atmosphere and on species, and possible methods of averting or adapting to climate change.
- Climate
Alarm bells for planet Earth
Students can search the Science News archive for the earliest stories on climate change and for techniques to combat it.
- Chemistry
From lactose to glucose
Students will test the effect of different conditions on lactase, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of milk sugar to simple sugar.
- Chemistry
Illuminating catalysts
Students will test different types of catalysts and conditions for the light-producing luminol reaction.
- Chemistry
Speedy stories from the archive
Students will search the Science News archive to explore the history of catalytic material technology.
- Chemistry
Seeking new catalysts
These questions focus on the use of catalysts in common industrial reactions and new research on alternatives to the precious metals currently used as catalysts.
