January 2007 Archives

Here's a great story from South Dakota State University's Collegian newspaper:

Most people who aren't science majors dread the thought of taking a science class. Many students end up taking geography classes as an alternative to other options, like chemistry. However, for students looking for something more exciting than learning the different crusts of the Earth, there is hope. A new class, taught exclusively at SDSU, uncovers geography of the paranormal.

"I want to show that geography can be a fun and relevant subject," said Dr. Charles "Fritz" Gritzner, who teaches the unique course. "We use geography to explain paranormal activity."

Read more.

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This month, we're asking you to start with a map: Download a world wall map, give it to a child, and tell them why it's important—and fun—to learn about our world. Let them play with the map, ask questions about it, explore it in their own way.

What other ideas do you have to get kids and teens interested in maps—and the interconnected, fascinating world they represent? Share your thoughts here!

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Have you visited the ARKive? It's a U.K. site dedicated to "creating a lasting audio-visual record of life on Earth." The result is a databank of photos, videos, and facts for the world's most endangered animals.

There's also Planet ARKive, a kids-only site with natural history- and wildlife-related games and information.

And for teachers there is ARKive Education, loaded with lesson plans, project ideas, support materials, and more.

Have a look and tell us what you think!

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In the news today: A new conservation effort aims to protect some of the world's oddest and most overlooked animal species.

The Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) program, led by the Zoological Society of London, focuses on animals that have unique evolutionary histories and face immediate risk of extinction. (Read a news article.)

The 10 "Weird" Focal Species for 2007

Here's a great new--and fun--way to get your kids interested in geography and the world around them. With Geography + Information Postcards, kids (or kids-at-heart) can explore their environment and record information about climate, population and lifestyle, industry and resources, and land, water, and animals. Then once they are done, they can share their findings by sending the postcards and submitting them online to the Geography + Information Distribution Project.

Learn more about the postcards and the project, and get started!

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Here in Washington, D.C., as in many other places, it's been unseasonably warm this year—and it looks like that trend is going to continue all year.

The reason, scientists say, is a combination of the El Niño weather phenomenon and increased levels of greenhouse gases.

So what exactly is El Niño? Check out these sites for more information on the phenomenon that's keeping us in short sleeves.

Happy New Year! Here's an article that takes a look at the geographical differences in the ways we celebrate the New Year.

How do you ring in the New Year? Tell us!

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