Educator Guide: Fish Legs and Stormy Gamma Rays

Lightning crackles across roiling skies—a visible display of a thunderstorm's energy. However, these storms produce more energy than we can see. Scientists have now used new gamma-ray imaging techniques to reveal invisible energy streaming out of these natural light shows. Learn how gamma rays relate to the electromagnetic spectrum and explore the relationship between wavelength and energy, all while drawing connections to weather phenomena.

To survive, creatures need to be able to sense many aspects of their environment, including food options. Scientists have recently discovered that the northern sea robin, an oceanic fish, has legs used for walking and also for tasting, to find buried meals. Begin a unit on natural selection/evolution by reviewing what these terms mean. Then, provide example organisms to explore their different types of adaptations (structural, physiological and behavioral). Finally, have students create their own species with adaptations specific to unique human- or natural disaster-influenced habitats.