"When life around the globe returns to normal, our world cannot return to business-as-usual.Our global community has been shocked by the largest global crisis in a generation. COVID-19 has shown us the necessity of thinking ahead, but the next crises are already on their way. Climate change, species loss, pandemics and massive natural disasters might define the future — unless we do something now. We have the solutions, both natural and technological… we just need the will." https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/

April 22, Earth Day, is a time when we pause to reflect on our truly awesome planet, the challenges but also the wonders.

Learn some amazing facts about our home planet.

Did you know that Earth is the only planet in the Solar System not to be named after a mythical god? Instead the word "earth" can be used to mean a number of different things. It can simply mean "dirt." This may have been one of the earliest meanings. What do we stand on? If you are outside, you are often standing on dirt. Perhaps, people came to think of the whole area they were standing on as "dirt" or "earth." By the time people were speaking Old English, about one thousand years ago, "earth" could have already meant the world on which people lived. It took longer for "earth" to come to mean "Planet Earth." This happened about 1400 or so.

Despite our Earth being called "earth," meaning dirt, only about 30% of the surface is actually solid ground. The rest of the planet's surface is made up of water. From a distance, Earth would be the brightest of the planets. This is because sunlight is reflected off the planet's water.

What is even more amazing than this percentage, is that a single drop of liquid water has yet to be found on any other planet in the Solar System. In this regard, Earth is truly unique. Of course water is necessary to sustain life.

Speaking of water, did you know our oceans hold nearly 20 million tons of gold? There is enough undissolved gold on the sea floor to give nine pounds to each person on Earth!

Scientists believe Earth may have had two moons at one time. Of course now Earth has one moon, and its name is Luna. 

Now, instead of looking skyward, take a look below the Earth’s surface. This month, our training video models what lies below our feet. Explore the inner and outer core, mantle, and crust in an easy, hands-on activity children are sure to enjoy.

Yes, our awesome Earth is truly amazing! It’s also the only Earth we have so remember, along with the Quirkles X.E. Ecology, to reuse, reduce, and recycle!

March may be fickle as far as weather goes, but it’s a month full of great teaching ideas. Of course there is Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, the first day of Spring, and St. Patrick’s Day. We figure you have those covered. But if you want some new inspiration, we’ve got some other fun things for you to think about too!

Did you know that March 13 was the day the planet Uranus was discovered? How about some interesting facts about this planet? For example Uranus is the coldest planet in the Solar System. It also makes one trip around the Sun every 84 Earth years. During some parts of its orbit, one or the other of its poles point directly at the Sun and get about 42 years of direct sunlight! The rest of the time they are in darkness. http://space-facts.com/uranus/

Or how about celebrating Albert Einstein’s birthday on March 14? Have a “no socks day.” Part of Einstein's charm was his disheveled look. In addition to his uncombed hair, one of Einstein's peculiar habits was to never wear socks. Whether it was while sailing, or to a formal dinner at the White House, Einstein refused to wear socks. To Einstein, socks were a pain because they often would get holes in them. Plus, why wear both socks and shoes when one of them would do just fine?

Did you know the third week of March is American Chocolate Week? Try the Quirkles’ “Vinnie Volcano’s Chocolate Meltdown.” Not only does this illustrate how rocks melt, it also allows for a tasty way to measure different melting times. Try dark chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate. Graph the results.

Not healthy enough? (We’d beg to differ!) It’s also broccoli month. Read Botanist Bert and learn how Bennie Bear confuses broccoli for a very bizarre basketball. (Yes, you can tie in some Johnny Appleseed activities to this lesson too!)

And if that’s not enough, March 30 is National Pencil Day. Like so many technologies we take for granted, imagine life without the pencil. Do you know your pencil trivia? Beloved author Roald Dahl used only pencils with yellow casing to write his books. He had six sharpened pencils ready at the beginning of each day and only when all six became unusable did he re-sharpen them. Speaking of yellow, do you know why most pencils are yellow? Check this out and other trivia here: http://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-pencil-day-march-30/

As for Quirkles activities, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity St. Patrick’s Day offers. How about a lesson in color mixing (Colorful Caroline) to come up with St. Patty’s favorite color green? Or take a look at our water absorbing “Pot of Gold” activity. And of course we had to make a leprechaun’s potion for you to share! These and all our other fun experiments can be found via our e-newsletter/website resource pages or on our Quirkles® YouTube channel!

Happy March teaching!

There’s more to Earth than meets the eye! Learn about what’s under the surface and discover that Earth has an inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. Who knew so much was under the ground that we walk on!

We just couldn’t pass up a St. Patrick’s Day science teaching opportunity. This month we make a “leprechaun’s potion” for you to share. Check this and all the other fun experiments out via our newsletter archives or Quirkles® YouTube channel!