Ever Wondered Why the Leaves Change Color?

For many of us, autumn means trees that turn orange and yellow, pumpkin-flavored everything, and setting the clocks forward – which are all great starting points for scientific inquiry! We’ve been collecting some of our favorite resources for fall chemistry discussions, so you can introduce the students in your life to the science all around them.

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Afterschool STEM On the Rise

A recent report found that 69% of parents say their children have STEM learning opportunities in their afterschool programs and and that these programs activate students’ interest in STEM. At CEF, we’ve been working with a variety of afterschool programs to incorporate our Activity Guide lessons into their curricula, so we’re excited to hear about how much students benefit from these programs!

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Virtual Field Trips: The Next Frontier

Millions of teachers worldwide are using Google technology to take their students on virtual-reality adventures to foreign countries, museums, and historical sites. We’re excited about the possibilities this holds for more exploratory, immersive, and fun ways to teach!

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You Live in a Germ Cloud

A recent study found that within only a few hours in one location, the air and surfaces around you become populated with microscopic organisms that leave a specific biological marker of your presence. This finding could have major impacts on fields ranging from epidemiology to criminal forensics!

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It’s True – We’re Better Together!

Some of our Challenge Organizers, volunteers from all over the country who make the program possible, joined CEF staff in Alexandria, Virginia for the 2015 Organizer Conference earlier this week!

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September Supermoon!

Hold on to your telescopes: the upcoming lunar eclipse on September 27 will coincide with a supermoon, which is when the moon reaches its full phase at its closest approach to earth! This rare event is known as a “supermoon blood moon,” as the moon will appear larger than usual and reddish in color due to the eclipse.

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Parents Want Hands-On STEM

The most recent Bayer Facts of Science Education Survey found that 85% of parents said they would support hands-on experiences in the classroom and at home, with the right resources.

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Free Professional Development: Check!

Looking for hands-on teaching methods that encourage student-led science exploration? Our Essential Elements professional development workshops are perfect for educators in grades K-8 who are looking to improve their ability to lead students through hands-on science activities.

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The Internet Heads Back to School

Are you always looking for the pockets of the internet that will engage, entertain, and excite science students of all ages? Edutopia’s got you covered, with their handy list of “Ten Websites for Science Teachers.”

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Periodic Table in Your Pocket

Britain’s Royal Society of Chemistry has turned their interactive online periodic table into an smartphone and tablet app! Available for free, the app allows users to see elements in their natural state, learn about real-life applications, use an interactive slider to see how elements change state as temperature increases, or explore the discovery of the elements through history.

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