![Ice technician on a zamboni at an outdoor skating rink](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-06/zamboni_outdoor_rink.jpg?itok=nSmM8N5Y)
The Hidden Heroes of Hockey!
STEM Explained
Ice Technicians use math and physics in order to keep the ice ready for hockey.
![Skyglow from a city and highway](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-06/night_sky_and_highway.jpg?itok=5QVvQWHE)
Light Pollution
STEM Explained
Light can be a type of pollution. Learn about the damage it causes to people and living things as well as how you can prevent it.
![Melissa Valdez at CERN](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-06/melissa_at_cern.jpg?itok=IIAtzvLK)
Antimatter and Why It Matters to Me
STEM Explained
Melissa Valdez talks about her exciting work on antimatter at CERN when she was a graduate student at York University.
![Bee on flower covered in pollen](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-06/pollen-covered_bee_on_flower.jpg?itok=sdTi3kzW)
Pollinators are Important!
STEM Explained
Insects and other animals that are pollinators of plants play an important role in ecosystems.
![Hands holding soil and a small plant](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-05/hand_holding_soil.jpg?itok=xzFFVzDb)
The Dirt on Soil Conservation
STEM Explained
If I asked you to name a few things that all life on the planet couldn’t live without you could probably come up with some good answers, but I bet you’d never think to say dirt.
![Field of tobacco plants, which are a source of nicotine](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-04/field_of_tobacco_plants.jpg?itok=BE-oEUDd)
How do alkaloids cause addiction?
STEM Explained
Alkaloids are found in some of the most addictive substances that humans consume. What are alkaloids, and how do they cause addiction?
![Holiday meal with roast turkey and cookies](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-04/holiday-dinner-with-stuffed-turkey.jpg?itok=qH6s9w1h)
Physical and Chemical Changes in the Kitchen
STEM Explained
Many physical and chemical changes happen when food is prepared. Chemistry never tasted so good!
![Human kidney cross-section](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-04/human-kidney-cross-section.jpg?itok=3VpDHDAd)
Osmosis and Its Role in Human Biology and Health
STEM Explained
Learn how and where osmosis takes place in the digestive system and excretory system and the role of osmosis in kidney dialysis.
![Cartoon coronavirus overlayed with a “no” symbol](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-03/coronovirus-infection-with_no_symbol.jpg?itok=YzD1_p0u)
COVID-19 Resources
STEM Explained
COVID-19 learning resources and suggestions for discussing with students.
![Inflammation of the knee](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-03/inflammation_of_the_knee.jpg?itok=KtxxSVOD)
The Immune Response: A Cellular War
STEM Explained
An inflammatory response is your body’s attempt to fight invaders. Learn how your body springs into action when attacked!
![Algae floating on a pond](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-03/algae_on_pond.jpg?itok=Wr4KBShh)
Algae Biofuel: Can Pond Scum Power the Planet?
STEM Explained
Learn about the potential of algae as a material for making biofuel.
![Nutrition label on the side of a pop can](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-03/nutrition-information-on-a-can.jpg?itok=4o0ZthQc)
The Science Behind Calories and Nutrition Facts Labels
STEM Explained
Find out how scientists figure out the information on food nutrition labels and why that information can help to keep you healthy.
![Casting hot iron](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-04/casting_hot_iron.jpg?itok=mE6eP_bv)
What Causes Hot Things to Glow?
STEM Explained
Getting electrons excited by heat can cause certain materials to give off visible light when heated - like filaments in light bulbs.
![Mussels on a rocky coastline](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-03/mussels-on-rocky-coastline.jpg?itok=4PnEYQCV)
Using Mussels to Monitor the Environment
STEM Explained
Mussels are a kind of invertebrate that filter food out of the water they live in. This makes them a great tool for monitoring environmental water quality and tracking bioaccumulation in aquatic food webs.