Touchpoint 1
Misplace your keys? Don’t worry, forgetting is actually good for your brain
What is it?
A new book claims that memory gets updated and edited over time. The human brain is not a recording device and forgetting is an important part of the memory process. The brain prioritizes information and the location of your car keys is not that important. This is why we misplace them all the time.
Potential message to students:
Do you think your grandparents are worried about losing their memories? Do they ever repeat stories? Do they ask you if they have already told you something? Do you think Alzheimer’s is so scary that older people are just waiting for it to happen and maybe thinking every forgetful moment is a sign of the disease coming for them?
Touchpoint 2
Two-Year Dig Yields Stunning Kangaroo Fossil From Deep Underground Caves
What is it?
A group of cavers found an interesting skull and reported it to a local museum. A group of volunteers worked with park rangers to dig up a complete skeleton of a kangaroo that roamed Australia for millions of years but went extinct 45,000 years ago.
Potential message to students:
Do you think it was worth the effort to work in a pitch-black cave to dig up this fossil with very fine brushes? Do you think there is any DNA left that could be used to bring back this kangaroo from extinction?
Touchpoint 3
Study reveals cancer vulnerabilities in popular dog breeds
What is it?
Dog size is a risk for cancer according to a new study. Big dogs and small dogs have a reduced risk of cancer. Scientists think big animals have a better chance of preventing cancer. There may be a way to study the biology of large animals to learn why they get less cancer.
Potential message to students:
Do you think this only applies to dogs? Tall humans get cancer more than short people. Do you think other animals are more like dogs or people when it comes to cancer risks?