Teaching overview
Learning points
- Robots are building the largest community of 3-D printed homes anywhere in the world—outside of Austin, Texas.
- Researchers discover that sea urchins lose their grip when the water is less salty.
- A paralyzed woman speaks through a digital avatar using brain implant technology.
Curriculum keywords
- Robots Build Homes
- Sea Urchins
- Brain Implant
This Week’s Kahoot Quiz
Every week, we will bring you a free quiz that you can use with your students after they have enjoyed the episode.
Spark a discussion
Robots Build Homes
- What is the name of the robots used to 3-D print homes?
- What is the name of the concrete that is used to build the homes?
- Can you think of other robots that have been designed to help humans?
Sea Urchins Lose Grip
- In what conditions do sea urchins lose their grip?
- How do sea urchins hold onto a surface?
- When nature inspires human design, it is an example of what kind of design?
Brain Implant Technology
- How many words per minute can Ann speak using this new technology?
- How did Ann help teach the system to interpret her brain signals?
- How do you think the system could be improved?
Classroom Resources
Use these resources to get the most out of the news update and engage your class in topical science!
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Video Viewing Guide
This graphic organizer supports your students to capture their thoughts and questions as they watch the news update.
Make Your Own Science News Update
This simple guide helps your students to create their very own science news updates.
Language and Literacy Activities
This guide gives you ideas for how the news update can be used to support language and literacy activities.
Discover More About Topics Covered in This Week’s News Update
Twig Science: A Complete Pre-K–8 Program for the NGSS
Immersive Investigations with High-Quality Multimedia
- Investigating, designing, building, and understanding phenomena
- Hands-on, digital, video, and print investigations
- Synchronous/asynchronous distance learning