HS-ESS3-4

Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.

  1. Earth

    Help for a world drowning in microplastics

    Microplastic pollution in our oceans and lakes is a problem. Scientists are testing solutions — from more biodegradable recipes to nanotechnology.

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  2. Oceans

    Healthy coral reef sounds attract fish searching for a home

    Playing the sounds of a healthy reef can help attract fish to dying corals, helping rebuild their community.

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  3. Climate

    5 things to know about the climate-saving benefits of tree planting

    A recent analysis of the benefits of massive efforts to plant more trees triggered a firestorm of controversy.

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  4. Environment

    Don’t toss that vape!

    Plenty of people talk about potential risks of vaping. But this teen habit also saddles schools with lots of trash — some of it quite toxic.

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  5. Life

    A new spin on lab-grown meat

    A technique inspired by how cotton candy is spun could help produce lab-grown meat at a lower cost and on a bigger scale.

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  6. Oceans

    Ocean heat waves are on the rise — and killing coral

    Ocean heat waves are becoming hotter and more frequent. And one can be blamed for the 2016 coral deaths on the Great Barrier Reef.

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  7. Physics

    Disabilities don’t stop these experts in science and tech

    People with disabilities are as varied as the careers some of them pursue in science, technology, engineering and math.

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  8. Environment

    Tiny air pollutants inflame airways and harm heart

    New studies show how tiny bits of air pollution, called particulate matter, can lead to health problems ranging from chronic runny noses to heart disease.

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  9. Environment

    Plastic trash rides ocean currents to the Arctic

    Ocean currents can carry plastic trash far from the cities that shed it. Some plastic debris has made it all of the way to the Arctic Ocean, new data show.

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  10. Environment

    Some food-packaging pollutants mess with the thyroid

    Chemical pollutants may hurt the ability of the thyroid gland to make an important hormone. Teens may be most at risk.

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  11. Earth

    Keeping space missions from infecting Earth and other worlds

    Scientists are always looking for ways to stop Earthly microbes from polluting other planets. The same goes for bringing bits of other planets back to Earth.

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  12. Environment

    Cleaning up water that bees like to drink

    Plant roots suck up pesticides used on soils, then release them into water that can seep from their leaves. This is a sweetened water that bees love to sip. A teen figured out how to remove most of the pesticide with bits of charcoal.

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