Science Writing Contest

Hidden costs of cryptocurrency

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2/28/22 Thank you for subscribing to The Cheat Sheet, from Science News for Students. If you like this newsletter, share it with a friend or colleague. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up for our weekly updates. Got questions, suggestions or comments? Email us at sns@sciencenews.org and put “The Cheat Sheet” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. Opportunity Calling all fledgling science writers: Submissions are open for the 3rd annual New York Times and Science News STEM writing contest. Students around the world, ages 11 to 19, are invited to submit a 500-word explanation of a STEM topic that sparks their interest. The competition aims to promote science literacy and the importance of engaging, understandable science communication. To that end, judges are seeking essays that hook readers’ attention, support points with research or expert commentary and convey why a given topic is important. One source for the piece must come from an approved list — and Science News for Students is on it. Contest guidelines and submission instructions can be found on the New York Times website. The submission deadline is right around the corner: March 9.    Science News is a nonprofit. We depend on our readers to support our journalism. You can help by subscribing for as little as $25.   SUBSCRIBE NOW   Catch up with the latest from Science News for Students Why some icicles become scallops not spikes: The newfound — and at times quirky — shapes reflect the density of water surrounding submerged ice. Readability: 6.8 Resources: power words, alternate version at Science News Bees and butterflies struggle to find flowers in polluted air: Emissions from cars and trucks make it harder for insects to find flowers. That in turn reduces flower visits and pollination, a new study finds. Readability: 7.3 Resources: classroom questions, power words Explainer: How do mass and weight differ?: Learn why these terms aren’t the same and which to use where. And should you report your results in kilograms? Pounds? If in doubt, try using newtons. Readability: 6.0 Resources: power words How we choose to pay has hidden costs for the planet: Whether cash or credit, phone apps or digital currencies — all forms of payment have behind-the-scenes costs. And these can vary dramatically. Readability: 7.2 Resources: classroom questions, power words, word find puzzle ‘Mining’ cryptocurrencies pollutes the real world: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies exist only online. Yet the environmental impacts of their networks affect the real world.  Readability: 8.0  Resources: power words A new drug mix helps frogs regrow amputated legs: The treatment helped frogs grow working limbs useful for swimming, standing and kicking. It’ll be a while before people can do that. Readability: 6.6  Resources: classroom questions, power words, alternate version at Science News Scientists Say: Eukaryote: Eukaryotes are living things whose cells package their genetic material inside a pouch called a nucleus. Readability: 6.0 Resources: power words, audio Wild Things When it comes to judging intelligence, the old saying goes, don’t judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree. But what about its ability to drive a tank? In a recent experiment, scientists taught six goldfish to drive a water tank on wheels around a room. Read all about it in our latest Wild Things science comic.  Find out more about the resources available for using Science News for Students stories for learning. And if you like this newsletter, please share it with a friend or colleague. Did someone share this with you? Subscribe to this newsletter here. If you’ve got questions, suggestions or comments, email us at sns@sciencenews.org. Thank you for reading! Privacy policy  |  Update Profile  | Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe This email was sent by: Society for Science 1719 N Street NW Washington, DC, 20036, US