Monday, February 20, 2023

World Wildlife Day

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2/20/23

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Coming Soon

Earth is home to a pretty awesome assortment of plants and animals. On March 3, celebrate that rich array of flora and fauna with World Wildlife Day. This U.N.-hosted event aims to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity for the health of the planet and build support for conserving wildlife. Find events in your country, and check out Science News Explores stories on plants and animals to find the latest research on wildlife of all kinds — from storm-chasing birds and self-medicating ocelots to meat-eating pitcher plants.

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Catch up with the latest from Science News Explores

Think twice before using ChatGPT for help with homework: This new AI tool generates well-formed writing and code. Despite many benefits, ChatGPT makes cheating easy and can supply bad information. Readability: 6.5 Resources: power words, classroom questions, word find puzzle, animated images, quiz

New robot can pick up a single drop of liquid: The new device, which looks like a pair of plastic pinchers, is the first to be able to pick up individual droplets of liquid. Readability: 7.2 Resources: power words, classroom questions, animated image

Protecting forests may help head off future pandemics: Hungry bats are more likely to shed harmful viruses to people or livestock when they spread out to hunt food. Conserving forests may limit this risk. Readability: 7.7 Resources: power words

Does the size of a parachute matter?: How does a parachute work? Do bigger parachutes work better than smaller parachutes? Find out in this science project. Readability: 6.0 Resources: power words, step-by-step experiment directions

Explainer: Kinetic and potential energy: Kinetic energy depends on an object’s motion; potential energy hinges on its position. The relationship between the two sits in a special balance. Readability: 7.2 Resources: power words, video

Let’s learn about Neandertals: These folk belong to an extinct species closely related to modern humans. They made tools and jewelry, controlled fires and cared for their sick. Readability: 6.6 Resources: power words, video, word find puzzle

Scientists Say: Hydrogel: Tangled polymer chains help hydrogels hold their shape despite being full of water. Readability: 7.7 Resources: power words, audio recording

Opportunity

A new educator guide from Science News Learning accompanies our Science News Explores story on why societies are striving to reach net zero carbon emissions. In this lesson plan, students will review greenhouse gases and their sources and learn about ways to reduce emissions. (Science News Learning, like Science News Explores, is part of the Society for Science.)

Find out more about the resources available for using Science News Explores 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!