Articles and Features

• A man silenced by paralysis got his ‘voice’ back, thanks to AI – A neuroprosthesis developed by UC Davis scientists enables a man with ALS to communicate freely with his family, friends and coworkers once again.

• Explainer: How a seed grows into a plant – Plants use carbon from the air to make food and build their bodies. They also adapt and respond to their environments in incredible ways.

• Raising Elephants* – Travel to Namibia, Africa and follow a young male elephant as he grows up. Learn how the roles of adult male elephants will determine if this youngster makes a successful transition to adulthood.

• Science Feature of the Year – Cooking with the Sun* – Communities in remote villages in Africa are harnessing the power of the sun to cook food and pasteurize water, reducing the impacts of burning wood on environmental and human health.

• Explainer: Cells and their parts – While most cells can’t be seen with the naked eye, these microscopic structures are responsible for all the wildly different forms of life on Earth.

• Explainer: How our bodies deal with stress – The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together to help us respond appropriately to the range of situations we experience. But what happens when we’re overstressed and get stuck in fight or flight mode? Learn a few simple techniques to calm your body and mind.

*Copyright © Highlights for Children, Inc., Columbus, Ohio. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

For Young Families

• Mother Nature’s Treasure Hunt – Awe-inspiring nature is everywhere, and connecting with the natural world can clear our minds and lift our moods. Enjoy the day outdoors with the kids on a treasure hunt designed by Mother Nature.

• Backyard Birding – Introducing the wonder of backyard birding to children.

Essays

• Spying on Hermit Crabs* – Discover the secret life of hermit crabs through the eyes of a young girl who studied their curious behavior for years.

Educational Materials and Workbooks

• Pollination Journal – Developed for Plant Heroes, a American Public Gardens Association program that creates educational resources on plant conservation, forest health and ecology for children throughout the United States. Also translated in Spanish.

• I conceptualized and wrote this series of mental health workbooks to help military children navigate some of the challenges of military life. They are used around the world:

  • My Life, a kid’s journal – Military deployments often mean a parent is far from home for months at a time. This workbook helps children cope with and stay connected to a parent who is deployed.

  • My Life As I Move – Military families can move frequently. This workbook helps children navigate the process and find comfort and meaning in each place they’ve lived, as well as how to make the next move easier.

  • My Life Continued – For children who experience the grief of a loved one who died while serving, this workbook helps them work through that grief process and find ways to honor their loved one.

Environmental Resources for Youth Educators

The Magnificent World Of Insects: Hands-on Lesson Plans For Grades 2-5 – No matter how small they are, these tiny creatures that crawl and fly have a mighty big role in the health of our ecosystem. Check out these educational resources to introduce curious, young minds to the world of insects and their valuable role on our planet.

Celebrate Earth Day With Plant Heroes Materials – Science skills are essential to the health of our planet, and that nature education is for everyone, every day. These ready-to-go resources help educators and parents facilitate exploration and learning wherever children work, study and play across all cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.