HS-ETS1-4

Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.

  1. Materials Science

    Copper ‘foam’ could be used as filters for COVID-19 masks

    The lightweight new material could serve as a washable and recyclable, eco-friendly alternative for many current mask filters.

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  2. Physics

    Light levitation might help explore Earth’s ‘ignorosphere’

    A toy called a light mill inspired researchers to invent a new way to fly. They’re using light to levitate small nanotube-coated discs.

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  3. Environment

    COVID-19 cut pollution in 2020, warming the atmosphere

    Pandemic-related lockdowns briefly warmed the planet. The reason: The cleaner air carried fewer planet-cooling aerosols.

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  4. Math

    Explainer: What is statistics?

    Scientists use statistics to design studies, analyze data and evaluate uncertainty. You’ll find it in biology, climate change, medicine and more.

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  5. Science & Society

    Machine learning includes deep learning and neural nets

    By combining patterns found in mountains of data with information gleaned from mistakes, these computer programs expand their artificial intelligence.

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  6. Chemistry

    Extreme pressure? Diamonds can take it

    Diamond retains its structure even at extreme pressures, which could reveal how carbon behaves in the cores of some exoplanets.

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  7. Science & Society

    New technology can get inside your head. Are you ready?

    New technologies aim to listen to — and maybe even change — your brain activity. But just because scientists can do this, should they?

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  8. Animals

    Newfound technique allows some tree snakes to climb wide trees

    When a tree is too wide to climb, brown tree snakes use a lasso-like trick to slowly ascend up to snacks.

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  9. Physics

    Scientists Say: Piezoelectric

    Piezoelectric materials produce an electric voltage when they are bent or squished. This can let us harvest electricity from movement.

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  10. Physics

    Physicists have clocked the shortest time span ever

    The experiment revealed how long it takes light to cross a hydrogen molecule: just a couple hundred zeptoseconds.

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  11. Physics

    What did you say? Fabric masks can really muffle voices

    Some types of face masks muffle speech more than others — something that teachers should take into account.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    What kids need to know about getting a COVID-19 shot

    COVID-19 vaccines are already being administered to some adults. Here’s what that means for kids and teens.

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