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The Greenland Shark: What has this shark seen?

Several years ago, a rare specimen washed up on a beach in Cornwall, England: A 100 year-old Greenland Shark. Even at a century old, this shark would still be considered a juvenile. These Arctic-dwelling predators don’t reach full adulthood until 150 years of age. They grow up to 25 feet long and eat anything they can get from fish to seals to moose if given the chance. Female Greenland sharks gestate for between 8 and 18 years before giving birth to live young.    But Greenland sharks are most well known for their long lifespans; the oldest specimen captured was…

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Indigenous Ingenuity: Snow Goggles

When you hear “snow goggles”, you probably think of skiing or snowboarding. Goggles are important for winter sports to keep wind, snow, and sun out of your eyes. Of course, the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic are experts in snow and had to manage the snow’s bright reflection for millenia. How did they do it?  Before foam and plastic ski goggles, there were snow goggles made from wood, bone, and antler. There are hundreds of examples of snow goggles, also called Inuit goggles, and snow visors in museums, and Alaskan Natives continued to use them into the twentieth century. They…

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Poetry Teatime: Saint Patricks Day

Saint Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to take a break with some tea, a treat, and a great poem or two. Ireland is a country full of amazing writers, so there is no shortage of people to pick from. Sometimes humorous, often melancholy, many times both, Irish poetry has something for everyone. Below, I’ve shared some of our favorites.  But first, let’s talk about tea and treats.  An obvious choice for an Irish tea would be an Irish breakfast tea. It is available in most grocery stores. There are also other tea blends including decaf options made by Irish…

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The Middle East: What’s in a name?

The Middle East. You can’t consume the news or study history without hearing about this multicultural and multi-ethnic region. Many of us could probably point to it on a map or name some of the related countries, but it’s important to remember just how vast and vibrant this area is! Take a moment to pull up a map now–digital is fine! Place your finger on Egypt, home to the pharaohs and the Great Pyramid. Trace your finger up the Nile River to the Mediterranean Sea. Tracing along the coast, you’ve reached the Levant, home to the Ancient Israelites and Phoenicians.…

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Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources

Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th, and runs through October 15th. This year’s theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America. The celebration starts on September 15th because that was the day that many Central American countries gained their independence. Like many of our month-long celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968.  In 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared that Hispanic Heritage would now be celebration over the course of a month, starting on September 15th. To learn about Hispanic Heritage Month, check out Hispanic Heritage Month Unboxed.  In…

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