Sustainable Gardening with Kids Activity Guide

Designed for K–8 educators, this 18-page downloadable guide from KidsGardening walks readers through the basics of sustainable gardening and provides suggestions for four sustainable youth gardens. The guide covers what sustainable gardening is, why it is important, and how to choose appropriate plants for a sustainable garden. In addition, it contains instructions for designing four kinds of sustainable gardens: a pollinator garden, a bird garden, a waterwise garden, and a rain garden. Each garden design also includes suggested learning activities for students and teachers to conduct in the garden. 

Test Tube Challenge

Engage middle and high school learners in exploring density with a standards-based inquiry challenge lesson plan from Flinn Scientific’s ChemFax! series. Upon entering the classroom, show students a test tube with a column filled with different colored liquids. Then challenge students to create their own version of the layered liquid column. Give students the following parameters: The test tube must contain three liquid layers; they may use tap water, sugar, and food coloring (they do not have to have all three in every layer); there should be no solids in the final test tube; and they are free to use any equipment in the classroom—but leave the rest of the procedures for students to determine themselves. Through the activity, students explore density while gaining practice in laboratory skills and processes. 

Spark of STEM

Spark of STEM is a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) online video series for K–12 teachers designed to invigorate STEM instruction in the classroom. Developed by the USA Science and Engineering Festival, and available on demand, the series presents 15-minute episodes featuring STEM education innovators and influencers sharing tips and tools to excite teachers—and their students—about STEM learning. Episode themes address Backyard Science Activities, Holiday-Themed STEM Activities, Engineering Design Challenges for Every Classroom, Forensic Science For K–12 Students, and other topics.

Project Dragonfly’s Master’s Degree and International Graduate Courses 

Project Dragonfly is accepting applications for its 2026 Earth Expeditions graduate courses, which offer experiences at global field sites in 15 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. These courses are offered through Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, and tuition is reduced because of support from the university.

Earth Expeditions can build toward the Global Field Program (GFP) master's degree, which combines summer field courses worldwide with web learning communities so that students can complete the GFP master's part-time from anywhere in the United States or abroad. Apply by January 15, 2026. Courses begin in May 2026. 

Project Dragonfly also offers the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) master's degree that combines web instruction from Miami University with face-to-face experiential learning and field study through several AIP sites in the United States. Applications for Miami's 2026 cohorts will be accepted until February 15, 2026, with place-based experiences provided at zoos and botanical gardens in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, New York, San Diego, and St. Louis. 

In addition to master's degree programs, Project Dragonfly's core online and AIP web+ graduate courses may be taken on a stand-alone basis for professional development and lifelong learning. 

Population Education’s World of 8 Billion Contest 

The World of 8 Billion student video contest challenges middle and high school students to create a 60-second video that presents a sustainable solution to one of this year’s topics: Energy, Economics, or Wetlands. This project encourages students to research, think critically, and communicate their ideas for tackling global challenges. Winners can earn up to $1,200 in cash prizes. To make participation easy, topic overviews, lesson plans, and step-by-step guides are available online. Submissions are due March 4, 2026. 

For a second year, Population Education will award mini-grants of $100–$500 to support educators who need additional resources to teach the World of 8 Billion student video contest in their classroom. Learn more and apply at https://www.worldof8billion.org/grant/ by October 31.  

Exploring Human Genetic Variation: A Virtual Lab Experience with LabXchange and The Jackson Laboratory
    
A free webinar hosted by The Jackson Laboratory and LabXchange that will focus on implementing virtual genetics resources for the modern classroom will take place on September 30 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Explore the Teaching the Genome Generation (TtGG) curriculum, and learn how the free LabXchange platform can bring complex concepts to life. This webinar will offer practical strategies and digital resources to equip educators to inspire and prepare the next generation of scientific thinkers.

This event is designed for high school educators looking for ways to incorporate digital resources into their genetics curriculum. It may also be suitable for educators for other levels and learners of different types. Advance registration is required.