Education Update: GeoPedia

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March 2008 Spring is just around the corner! Enjoy these new activities, opportunities, and books while you wait out winter's final storms. In This Edition • GeoPedia • Geography Action! and giant maps • New theory in learning from    JASON • Animal books from National    Geographic School Publishing Photo of the Day See Photo Download Wallpaper
GeoBee Question: Which state has more people per square mile: Connecticut or Kentucky? (See answer below.)
GeoPedia GeoPedia is a "wiki"-style supplement to National Geographic magazine's feature stories. Each GeoPedia entry provides in-depth background material on a given topic while maintaining National Geographic's renowned standard of accuracy. It's a research tool with valuable links to the best resources. Here, visitors can learn more about a subject area, ask a question, and submit a link or a story. User-generated content will be edited by expert editors in the field, such as top researchers, journalists, and professors. GeoPedia's extended research areas provide a wealth of information to meet every user's need.   Geography Action! and Giant Traveling Maps The spirit of Geography Awareness Week continues this spring as Geography Action! coordinators from around the country host National Geographic's Giant Traveling Maps in their home states. Check out pictures and stories from Alabama's Geography Action! coordinator, Bo Garret; and Florida's Mary Ellen Adlam, and find out how to apply to have a giant map come to your school. Geographic Lens on Asia Geography Action!'s video series Geographic Lens on Asia launches on the Web! These free, bite-size videos feature National Geographic video, photos, and maps to illustrate basic geography concepts. Useful both in classrooms and workshops, they are brimming with dynamic footage and practical information. In the News Hair "Records" Where You've Been, Study Finds The chemical makeup of your hair can reveal where in the world you've been, researchers have found. Water molecules found in human hair closely resemble those in the tap water that people drink, according to a new study by University of Utah researcher Thure E. Cerling and his colleagues. Featured Lesson Plans Degrees of Change—Conservation in My Community (Grades 3–8): Students become reporters or photographers to investigate and document local conservation efforts. Grades 3–5: •  Reporter's Workbook •  Photographer's Workbook Grades 6–8: •  Reporter's Project Organizer •  Photographer's Project Organizer In the Spotlight The JASON Project's New Vision: Igniting the Spark to Engage Students in Science Last month, JASON Project president Caleb M. Schutz released a white paper describing a new theory in teaching and learning science. Based on JASON's 19 years of practice and research in middle school science education, the theory states that sustained connections with great explorers and great events in core curriculum inspire students, which results in deeper student engagement, increased motivation, and higher achievement. Read the full white paper, "Education Through Exploration: A New Theory in Teaching and Learning Science". Read More! The National Geographic Explorer Books Collection has 21 titles on animals and animal habitats to spark the imaginations of young learners. Each title is available in two different reading levels—Pioneer, for grades 2–3; and Pathfinder, for grades 4–6. Designed to promote independent reading, the stunning images and engaging content are impossible to put down. Help your students discover the joy of reading with the entire Explorer Books Collection. Find them all at NGSP.com. New on the National Geographic Kids Website Wild Detectives is an innovative children's video series that casts National Geographic researchers as secret agents who solve mysteries of the animal world. In each of the 44 three-minute episodes, young viewers become junior detectives and gather clues and track tough cases about animal behavior. Watch the series. National Geographic Student Expeditions Starting in summer 2008, the next generation of explorers will have the opportunity to discover the world with National Geographic through active, hands-on expeditions designed for high school students. With dynamic group leaders and a visiting National Geographic expert, students will spend three weeks exploring fascinating places around the globe. Learn more about National Geographic Student Expeditions. Join the Explorer Classroom Magazine Teacher Panel! If you subscribe to National Geographic Young Explorer, NG Explorer, or NG Extreme Explorer, we want to hear from you. Panelists will answer brief surveys on each issue, providing feedback on stories, covers, and interest in future topics. As a thank-you for answering surveys, panelists will receive an online gift certificate for their time. Fun Extra! Feature Story: Animal Minds Animals are smarter than we think. Read about studies with various animals that achieved astounding cognitive abilities.	Educator Favorites • Lesson Plans • Maps • Teacher Community • Teacher Store • EarthCurrent News   Digest • My Wonderful World   Geography Campaign
Have a great month! Look for new educator resources coming in April. —The education team at National Geographic P.S. To make sure that you receive our e-mails, please add ngs@newsletters.nationalgeographic.com to your address book so that your filter will know our e-mails are legitimate.
Quiz Answer: Connecticut Try your hand at more GeoBee questions.
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