Written by Kristin Kish, Digital Marketing Intern.
Between school, homework, practice and spending time with loved ones, it’s easy to miss out on the latest in science, technology, engineering, art and math. But don’t worry, Thinkery’s got you covered. Here are some of our favorite STEAM discoveries from the previous week. It’s fuel for your weekend.
Buzz, buzz. Seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees were recently declared as endangered in the United States, making them the first bees to ever be added to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s list of endangered species. How did this happen? Unfortunately, invasive species, habitat loss and climate change have all but decimated these native Hawaiian bees. Click here to learn more about the yellow-faced bees—and how you can help.
Scientists have found the deepest known underwater cave in the world! Using a remotely operated vehicle, a team of researchers in the Czech Republic were able to reach a depth of 1,325 feet while exploring Hranická Propast, or the Hranice Abyss. While there’s still more to discover, one thing is certain—it’s already 39 feet deeper the previous record holder, Italy’s Pozzo del Merro.
Did you know that coral is one of the oldest animals on Earth? It’s true! This short, stunning time-lapse film from Barcelona-based production company myLapse showcases the chromatic beauty of corals. Composed of nearly 25,000 individual images, the film captures the microscopic, rarely-seen movements of these unique maritime invertebrates. myLapse hopes that “Coral Colors” will bring much-needed attention to the Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder of the world currently endangered by global warming and industrial projects.
Baby “dragons” were born this summer! Although they may not be the dragons you read about in story books, olms are amazing creatures. Hailing from Central Europe, the cave-dwelling olm is a salamander, which is a type of amphibian. These aquatic amphibians got their nicknames because—you guessed it—they look like dragons. They’re also one of the largest cave animals in the world, reaching up to 16 inches in length. Read more about these fascinating creatures!