![Nitrogen symbol from periodic table](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2021-03/the-periodic-table-element-nitrogen.jpg?itok=bs_Xbeg4)
Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle
STEM Explained
What is the nitrogen cycle? How do human activities such as using fertilizer affect the nitrogen cycle? How can this cause greenhouse gases?
![Student viewing a video](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/Video_Review_Learning_Strategy.jpg?itok=sWS_ifXi)
Video Review
Teaching STEM
This strategy helps students reflect upon and assess a video.
![Like trees, brains grow and develop](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/How_a_brain_is_like_a_tree.jpg?itok=K6H2lR4a)
Understanding the Teen Brain
STEM Explained
Teen brain development prepares teens for adulthood, but also affects their emotions.
![Vocabulary Preview Learning Strategy](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/Vocabulary_Preview.jpg?itok=IOiG-8fI)
Vocabulary Preview
Teaching STEM
This strategy helps students to become familiar with vocabulary before reading or viewing unfamiliar material.
![Plastic drinking straws](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-06/plastic_drinking_straws.jpg?itok=jMA-xYeF)
We Use a Lot of Plastic
STEM Explained
What are microplastics? How are plastics polluting aquatic ecosystems?
![City at night with transmission lines](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/City_at_night_with_transmission_lines.jpg?itok=UiKbdb4e)
Understanding Electricity Supply and Demand
Backgrounders
Electricity demand changes constantly. Suppliers need to generate more electrical energy when demand is high, and less when demand is low.
![Wall of clocks](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/wall-of-clocks-for-time-zones.jpg?itok=eq3iHPZT)
Universal Coordinated Time
Backgrounders
Today, you know it's the same time everywhere in your time zone thanks to Universal Coordinated Time. But when humans used the Sun to tell time, they couldn’t tell time precisely.
![Heat pump diagram](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-01/Heat_pump_diagram.png?itok=0BIHVWMg)
Tapping Underground Energy with Heat Pumps
STEM Explained
Using the heat of the Earth’s interior, you can heat your home with a ground source heat pump. This kind of heating is cheaper and better for the environment!
![Peyto Lake, Banff National Park](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/peyto-lake-banff-national-park.jpg?itok=0_N90Ej4)
The Rock Cycle in Canada
STEM Explained
Products of the rock cycle are visible all across Canada.
![Mars Science Laboratory Parachute Qualification Testing](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/Mars_science_lab_parachute_testing.jpg?itok=Ly8xx3i5)
Testing Parachutes for Mars
STEM Explained
NASA engineers apply kinematics and dynamics to test parachutes designed specifically to help space probes land safely using aerodynamics.
![The Parkes Observatory in New South Wales, Australia](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/Park_Observatory_NSW_Australia.jpg?itok=K11hu9qK)
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - and How You Can Help!
STEM Explained
When astronomers search for extraterrestrial life, they often have to listen for radio waves coming from deep space. If you’re interested, you can help!
![Students studying outdoors on grass](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/Friends-studying-on-grass.jpg?itok=lXTVfdrZ)
The Benefits of Going Outside
STEM Explained
Spending time outside has important physical and psychological benefits. It can even help you learn better!
![man sick with the flu](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/man_sick_with_the_flu.jpg?itok=5C2Zm7yV)
The Surprising Reason You Feel Awful When You're Sick
STEM Explained
Viruses can make you feel awful! This article explains how feeling bad might be your immune system’s way of helping you heal.
![A set of lipstick in various colours](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-02/Assortment_of_lipsticks.png?itok=z_U-KbdM)
The Chemistry of Lipstick
STEM Explained
Learn about the organic compounds that make up lipstick as well as about some of the chemistry that goes into this popular cosmetic.
![A person’s hand holding a cold pack on an ankle](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-06/person_holding_ice_pack.jpg?itok=01sj50jv)
The Cold Pack: A Chilly Example of an Endothermic Reaction
STEM Explained
When you hurt your ankle, thermodynamics can help you heal! An endothermic reaction reduces the swelling by cooling your injury.