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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For astronomers, watching convective cells of gas move on the surface of a distant star was kind of like looking at a lava lamp. Begin a unit on energy transfer by having students discuss lava lamps and the process of convection at work in them. Then have students read about the first observation of convection on a distant star and its potential scientific importance. Finally, students will brainstorm and diagram other examples of devices or natural processes that involve convection.

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Along with providing food and shelter for a variety of marine organisms, coral reefs reduce erosion and protect coastal cities from storms. However, coral reefs are threatened by the effects of climate change. In this activity, students will model the complex interactions that occur within corals, their ecosystem and the Earth’s spheres to learn about how climate change harms coral reefs. After modeling how these interactions change with increasing ocean temperatures, students will brainstorm potential ways to solve or mitigate coral bleaching.

To investigate why some meteors create persistent trails, scientists filmed the New Mexico sky for two years, recording streaks of light. Use shooting stars as an example phenomenon to generate student interest, wonder and questions. Then, have students explore how this phenomenon was studied using Science and Engineering Practices, while evaluating the study’s design, limitations and possibilities for future research. Finally, have students search for another phenomenon that interests them and begin asking questions about it.

Students will work in groups to answer questions about graphs and data visualizations. Then, they will discuss data literacy and how graphs can promote misinformation

Students will analyze and compare two graphs to summarize a recent report about animals protected by an international treaty called the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals before discussing the possible next steps and limitations of the treaty.

On April 8, 2024, approximately 32 million people may have the opportunity to see a total eclipse of the sun. Astronomers predict this eclipse will put on quite a show — one of the most vivid in recent history. Learn how different factors of this solar eclipse will make it especially rare for both scientists and casual observers.