Here you will find articles and associated classroom activities from Highlights for Children

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Baby Weddell seal lying on the ice.

Under the Ice

Can you imagine living your entire life on—or under—a shelf of sea ice? Weddell seals do. Explore the life of this Antarctic seal to learn what it takes to live in this extreme environment. (September 2012)

Access the article online

Download pdf with discussion questions and classroom activity: Under the Ice supplement

Bat flying at night

How Bats Slurp at Night

You probably know most bats use echolocation to find their food. But how do they find water? Learn how Stefan Greif answered this surprisingly difficult question. (December 2012) Download pdf: How Bats Slurp at Night

Download classroom activities: How Bats Slurp at Night supplement

Black howler monkey perched in a tree.

How Brainy are Monkeys?

You may find counting as easy as 1-2-3, but can animals count? Do they need to? Dr. Dawn Kitchen tested black howler monkeys in the jungles of Belize to find out, and the answer came through loud and clear. (March 2013) Download pdf: How Brainy are Monkeys?

Download classroom activities: How Brainy are Monkeys? supplement

Flying Arctic tern

How Many Turns for the Tern?

Scientists have known for many years that Arctic terns migrate from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year, but just how far do they really fly? Dr. Egevang used geolocators to find out, and the results stunned everyone—even him! (June 2013) Access the article online

Download classroom activities: How Many Turns for the Tern supplement

Sleeping dormouse

Champions of Hibernation

You may think dormice hang out with the Mad Hatter, but in real life they’re some of the longest-hibernating mammals. Find out more about these super sleepy critters. (May 2014) Download pdf: Champions of Hibernation

Download classroom activities: Champions of Hibernation supplement

Black and yellow flower fly perched on a yellow dandelion.

Bee? Wasp? Flower Fly!

Ever have a feeling something is hovering near your head, watching your every move? There’s a good chance it’s a flower fly. (May 2019)

Black fingerprint on lined notebook paper.

Spotlight: Finger Print

What are fingerprints and why do we have them? And did you know: koalas have them too! (October 2019)

Blue whale leaping out of the water.

Spotlight: Blue Whale

The biggest animal ever to live on our planet, blue whales have incredible features that allow them to flourish in our oceans. (August 2022)

Sea ice floating in the Arctic Ocean.

Polar Opposites?

The two ends of our Earth have a lot in common—but they differ in surprising ways! (January 2024)

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