PopEd Blog

Our blog includes posts about human population growth and intersecting issues, such as resource use, environmental science, and public health.

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Population Education

two boys looking through binoculars with the words how to make conservation more inclusive take these six actions

Environmental Science

Environmental Conservation

Public Health

Climate Crisis

How to Make Conservation More Inclusive: Take These Six Actions

The U.S. environmental conservation movement has undoubtedly accomplished so much -- but it could always do more. As we grow more deeply entrenched in the ongoing climate crisis, it’s more important than ever for everyone to be on the same team and able to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts. Here are some (non-exhaustive!) ways we can expand the American conservation movement to be more inclusive – and thus also more effective.

people standing in front of a sign that says teaching tips and classroom resources for api month 2013

Teaching Tips and Classroom Resources for AAPI Month 2023

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S.! Although learning about and celebrating our nation’s diversity should never be boxed into one month, AAPI Month 2023 is a great time to rethink your everyday lessons to be wider, deeper, and more accurate representations of today’s America. Teaching AAPI studies isn’t always easy, but it’s essential. So, here we are with some tips, tricks, and resources for educators on how to celebrate AAPI Month at school!

the words, the rise of the american conservation movement, and where it falls short

The Rise of the American Conservation Movement, and Where It Falls Short

Pre-pandemic, about 330 million people visited American national parks each year. To put that number in perspective, that’s around the population of the entire United States of America! And though we might not think about their origins very often, it’s because of the American conservation movement that national parks exist. Read on to learn more about the past and present of the American conservation movement: how it came to be, what it's accomplished, and what it can do to be more effective.

children are sitting on the floor with text overlay reading 6 powerful and easy lesson plans if you're feeling burnt out

6 Powerful and Easy Lesson Plans if You’re Feeling Burnt Out

We know many teachers are probably tiring out as the end of the school year approaches. But hold on -- you're almost there! If you're feeling burnt out, try these six engaging, easy-to-implement lessons. They'll give teachers a much-needed breather and students a great learning experience.

The East Palestine Train Derailment is an Example of Environmental Injustice

The recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and the resulting health + wellbeing consequences for local residents is an unfortunately real illustration of environmental injustice in the U.S. today. In this blog post from PopEd, learn how money and power often allow corporations to get away with enormous environmental offenses.

Can Nature Be a Classroom? Ten Tips and Tricks to Teaching in Nature

Are you a teacher who's tired of being indoors all day but not sure exactly how to take your lessons outside? This blog post is for you! Read on for 10 tips and tricks to making nature your classroom.

a woman sitting in a chair with the words topics in social studies education that are controversial but shouldn't be

Topics in Social Studies Education that are Controversial but Shouldn't Be

In an era of extreme political polarization, it can feel like the number of landmines that teachers must avoid in the classroom is only growing. While there are plenty of topics that social studies educators can easily avoid, there are many others that teachers must be able to openly discuss to cultivate a full understanding of history, civics, geography, and other aspects of social studies education. Read on to learn more!

What is Outdoor Education and How Does it Help Students?

When you think of education and where it takes place, your mind probably first jumps to a conventional classroom environment. This kind of learning environment has withstood the test of time and certainly has its virtues – but it’s not the only setting where learning can occur. In fact, educators have been exploring outdoor alternatives to the traditional classroom for decades. But what exactly is outdoor education? Are there benefits of learning outdoors? Read on to learn more!

Nature

Taking Education Outdoors – PopEd’s Spring Theme

Studies show that being in nature can boost your mood, reduce stress levels, improve focus, and promote better sleep. Yet in the typical education setting, children are in the school building for 7 hours a day, with only a short break for recess. It’s no wonder many educators feel confined to the walls of their classrooms. This spring, PopEd is here to help teachers think outside those walls with Outdoor Education! Read on to learn more.

three people standing in the dirt with text overlay that reads five reasons why you should take ap environmental science

High School

Career Options

Ap Environmental Science

In High School

Community

College Credit

Five Reasons Why You Should Take AP Environmental Science

For clear real-world connections, countless career options, and opportunities to get involved in your community, sign up for AP Environmental Science! This blog post shares five major benefits of taking APES in high school.

Related searches

Choropleth map

Great pacific garbag...

Earth overshoot day

Water

Environmental Protection

Clean Drinking Water

Water Monitor

Drinking Water

How Is Drinking Water Monitored in the U.S.?

Next up for our #PopEdPublicHealth theme: Learn how the U.S. ensures our water is safe for consumption! This blog post breaks down 6 water monitoring tools used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A Population History of South Korea

In 2022, South Korea broke its own record for the lowest fertility rate in the world. What's behind all that? In this blog post, we unpack how culture and history in South Korea may have contributed to this present-day demographic reality.

A Brief History of Vaccine Controversy: Dispelling Four Common Myths

Vaccine hesitancy has grown more prevalent in recent years. It's normal and okay to question what goes into your body, but science can help dispel many common misconceptions about vaccines. In this blog post, we break down the facts about what goes into a vaccination!

Virtual Science Fair Ideas That Will Set You Up For Success

Thinking of taking your science fair online this year? We've got plenty of ideas creating a great virtual experience — for K-12 students, science teachers, and audiences alike!

a highway with cars driving down it and the words 6 effects of pollution on human health

Water Pollution

Consequences

6 Effects of Pollution on Human Health

Whether it's land, air, or water, pollution has serious consequences for human health. Read our latest blog post to learn 6 ways pollution can affect our health.

What Total Fertility Rate by Country Can Tell You About World Population

What does it mean for a country's population when a woman is giving birth to more or less children? In this blog post, we unpack how fertility rates are related to development and quality of life across the world.

We live in a world of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. But infectious diseases aren't the only public health challenges around. This January and February, explore all kinds of health-related topics with PopEd, from environmental connections to social determinants of health. We're offering a free webinar for teachers, sharing online resources, and writing blog posts for you all winter long. Stay tuned with #PopEdPublicHealth! Teaching, Winter, Social Determinants Of Health, Online Resources, Infectious Disease

Teaching

Winter

Social Determinants Of Health

Online Resources

Infectious Disease

Teaching About Public Health in K-12 Classrooms: PopEd’s Winter Theme

We live in a world of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. But infectious diseases aren't the only public health challenges around. This January and February, explore all kinds of health-related topics with PopEd, from environmental connections to social determinants of health. We're offering a free webinar for teachers, sharing online resources, and writing blog posts for you all winter long. Stay tuned with #PopEdPublicHealth!

an airport with the words which countries'populations grew in 2012, and whichpopulation

Population Growth Rate

Previous Year

Which Countries' Populations Grew in 2022, and Which Populations Shrank?

World population hit 8 billion in 2022, but not every country's population grew. This year, the countries with the highest and lowest population growth rates looked very different from previous years, largely owing to migration caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read on to learn more!

people standing in line at an airport with their luggage and the words over 100 million people formally displaced in 2020

First Blog Post

Persecution

Over 100 Million People Forcibly Displaced in 2022

The global population reaching 8 billion was just one of the most noteworthy demographic milestones in 2022. The year 2022 was also marked by the unprecedented movement of people within and across borders, many of them fleeing war, persecution, and economic hardship. Read our first blog post of 2023 to learn more!

Top 10 Most Popular PopEd Lesson Plans, Readings, and Graphics - 2022

Now that 2023 is here, we're taking a look at which Population Education #teachingresources were most popular over the course of 2022! The topics of our most popular resources cover all kinds of #humanecology themes and grade levels.

Through STEAM education, students develop the best possible toolkit to prepare them for success in the future. Let's discuss strategies to integrate art in STEM activities and explore the benefits of arts education. Primary Students, Science Activities, Student Encouragement, Student Learning, Enrichment Activities, Stem Activities

Primary Students

Science Activities

Student Encouragement

Student Learning

Enrichment Activities

Stem Activities

Thinking Outside the Box: STEM to STEAM Education

Through STEAM education, students develop the best possible toolkit to prepare them for success in the future. Let's discuss strategies to integrate art in STEM activities and explore the benefits of arts education.

a video screen showing how to use the water for shrimp and other seafood products, with an image of a large red lobster

International Students

Winners of the 2022 World of 7 Billion International Student Video Contest Announced

Eighteen winners earned top spots in the 11th annual World of 7 Billion student video contest. More than 4,000 students in grades 6-12 from 48 countries and 45 U.S. states and territories participated in this year’s contest.

a young boy wearing a face mask and looking at the camera

Climate Change

Environmental Degradation

Environment

Global

Scientist

The Top 3 Issues Facing the Next Generation of Environmental Scientists

As global climate change and environmental degradation accelerate, a handful of overarching issues represent some of the most pressing matters for the next generation of scientists to address.

a hand holding a small blue globe in it's palm against a white background

No Response

Sustainable Development Goals

Five Actions You Can Take to Help Advance SDG 12: Responsible Consumption

Let’s take a look inward to see how small individual actions can lead to a bigger impact. SDG 12 focuses on how we can produce and use products in a sustainable way.

the south korea population is shown in blue, pink and white with an orange stripe

What Is a Negative, or Top-Heavy, Population Pyramid?

The term “population pyramid” is a catch-all phrase to describe all age-sex distribution graphs that depict a population’s demographic structure. Though many such graphs are shaped like pyramids, not all are.

Sustainable Development

Innovation

Pandemic

Pie Chart

The State of the Sustainable Development Goals: Navigating the Road Beyond the Pandemic

A recent report made the shocking (yet eye-opening) conclusion that the world was not on track to meet the SDGs by 2030 and that the global pandemic derailed these efforts even further. Let's take a look at a few of the SDGs that have been most impacted by the pandemic.

Industrial practices contribute a significant amount of pollutants to our atmosphere. Understanding the different types of pollutants and their unique sources can give us insights in how to improve air quality and sustainability for us all. Air Pollution, Ozone Depletion, Ozone Layer, Methane, Marine Debris, Noise, Greenhouse Gases, Nuclear Winter

Understanding the Six Primary Air Pollutants from Factories

Industrial practices contribute a significant amount of pollutants to our atmosphere. Understanding the different types of pollutants and their unique sources can give us insights in how to improve air quality and sustainability for us all.

In this post, we explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on achieving SDG goal 4 – education for all. Through the lens of education, we will connect to SDG 5, gender equality. Take the time to read to the end for a link to PopEd lessons that bring these topics into your classroom! Science Classroom, Projects For Kids, Learning Science, Stem Education, Teaching Mathematics, Education For All, Science Guy, Online Classes, Youtube Kids

The Impact of COVID-19 on SDG 4: Quality Education for All

In this post, we explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on achieving SDG goal 4 – education for all. Through the lens of education, we will connect to SDG 5, gender equality. Take the time to read to the end for a link to PopEd lessons that bring these topics into your classroom!

three small seedlings are placed next to each other on a table with numbered papers

Common Core Standards

Science Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

Comparing Data

Free Lesson Plans

Elementary Activities

Upper Elementary Activities

Common Core

Can One Lesson Plan Hit All 3 Pillars of NGSS? Yes, Here’s an Example

The elementary activity Crowding Can Be Seedy meets all 3 NGSS pillars under the performance expectation for students to “plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.”

an orange and white sign with the words, 11 sustainable cities and communities in it

Un Sustainable Development Goals

An Explanation of All 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs, similar to the goals of the UN as a whole, are meant to be a global partnership of all countries; a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all.