September 2023

noun
the standards that a design must meet to be successful

The design team decided on criteria for the new playground. It needed to be fun, colorful, and safe.

noun
an electronic device that detects and sends signals

This machine releases a paper towel when you place your hand in front of its sensor.

noun
instructions that tell computers what to do

This child is writing a new line of code to move the character on his computer.

noun
technology that places digital information over a view of the real environment

The Pokémon Go app uses augmented reality to make a Pokémon character appear in your surroundings through your phone.

Write your own sentence using one of the new words you learned!

• plastic cup
• tray or storage bin lid
• sheet of aluminum foil at least 12 inches (30 centimeters) long
• masking tape
• marker
• 1/2 cup of dark corn syrup
• paper towels (for cleanup)

1. To make a model volcano, place the cup upside down in the center of the tray. Mold the aluminum foil over the cup in the shape of a volcano.

2. Pinch the foil to create ridges and bumps in your model.

3. Look closely at your model volcano. Think about these questions: If lava were to ooze down the volcano’s sides, where do you think it would go? Where would be a safe place for scientists to stand and watch the volcano erupt? Where would it be unsafe?

4. Label one piece of tape “safe” and the other piece “unsafe.” Then mark one safe spot and one unsafe spot on your model.

5. Now it’s time for your volcano to erupt! Slowly pour the corn syrup on the top of your model. Watch the “lava” flow.

Record what you see.

Did the spot you labeled as safe stay free from the lava? What happened to the spot you labeled unsafe? What patterns do you see in where your lava flowed?

Compare your results with those of your classmates. How are they similar or different? Why might that be?

Go to the next slide to see our results!

In our model volcano, we noticed that the lava settled in the lowest points closest to the eruption site. It didn’t travel up and over ridges, and it didn’t spread very far from the volcano.

It turned out both our “safe” and “unsafe” viewing spots stayed clear of lava!

We made observations from different sides of our volcano. Looking at the volcano from above, we noticed some lava pooled near the top, but most of it ran down the sides between ridges.

How might scientists use models like this one to keep people safe during volcanic eruptions?

The hidden animal is a roundtail horned lizard (Phrynosoma modestum). This species is characterized by its short, stubby, round tail. It’s found in Colorado and New Mexico.

Can you #FindThatLizard in this photo? When you think you’ve got it, click to the next slide.

Hiding in this pile of brush in California is a western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)—one of the most abundant species in the Southwest.

How about this picture? Can you #FindThatLizard?

Congratulations if you spotted the Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii). This species has a long body and tail. It likes to hide in tall grasses and leaf litter, which provide cover as it forages for insects.

 Last one! Can you #FindThatLizard?

Did you find the western fence lizard? This lizard species’ body is mostly brown and black to blend in with rocks and logs—but its belly is bright turquoise!

They are all animal habitats. A habitat is a place where animals live.

Animal habitats need to have certain resources for animals to survive there.

What resources do you think an animal needs?

Let’s find out!

An animal needs food to eat and water to drink.

Different animals need different food sources. Some animals, like rabbits, eat only plants. Other animals, such as hawks, eat only other animals. And some eat a mix of both plants and animals.

An animal needs space. Some animals need more space than others.

For example, packs of wolves can roam and hunt over hundreds of square miles! But a white-tailed deer needs less than one square mile of land to survive.

Animals also need shelter. That’s a place where animals can stay protected from bad weather and predators, animals that hunt them.

Some animals, like black bears, find shelter in caves or other existing spaces. Other animals, such as some wasps, build their own shelters.

Sometimes an animal’s habitat changes quickly because of humans.

People change animal habitats to make space for roads, buildings, or farms.

They may drain watery areas called wetlands or cut down trees where animals live. The act of cutting down forests is called deforestation.

When roads cut through an animal’s habitat, the habitat can become divided into disconnected sections. It becomes a fragmented habitat.

Animals living in a fragmented habitat may not be able to find mates, food, or other resources easily. Over time, the animal population often decreases.

Parts of the forest have been cut down. Animals that lived there are forced into a smaller area, and their numbers will probably decrease.

So what can be done to protect animal habitats?

People are trying many different ideas. For example, some communities are building wildlife crossings to help animals go over roads that divide their habitat.

Share some things you can do to protect an animal habitat near you!

Think about three reasons to support your answer.

Now let’s find out what’s really going on . . .

This dog’s spiky outfit isn’t a fashion statement—it’s body armor! The vest is called a CoyoteVest. It’s made of a tough material and is covered with pointy spikes and bristles. The purpose of the vest is to prevent bigger dogs and predators from attacking smaller dogs like this Jack Russell terrier.

While it isn’t common in most places for wild animals to attack pets, it does happen. Large predators, such as this coyote, roam through rural areas, as well as suburbs and cities. Coyotes live in all lower 48 states in the U.S. As hunters, these canines see smaller animals, such as small dogs and cats, as potential prey.

In recent years, reports of animal attacks on pets have been on the rise.

Paul Mott, an engineer in California, saw a problem that needed a solution. He designed the CoyoteVest. He did a lot of research. He even studied a coyote’s skull to figure out how his invention could protect pets from coyote bites.

The CoyoteVest is made of super-tough fabric that can’t be pierced by teeth and claws. If a predator tries to grab a pet by the neck, it gets a mouthful of hard plastic spikes. OUCH!

Bristles along the back of the vest make the dog look bigger to scare off predators.

The company behind the CoyoteVest also makes a feline version for cats. MEOW!

While the CoyoteVest can help keep pets safe, experts say we can best protect pets by staying near them when they’re outside. And of course, keep your furry BFF inside if you know there are dangerous animals around.