Macrostat. Geology of the Earth Through an Interactive Map

Macrostrat is an interactive digital platform that brings together geological maps and scientific data to provide a detailed picture of the Earth's crust. Developed by the Macrostrat Lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, it combines hundreds of geological maps into a single interactive map, allowing users to explore the rocks and geological formations beneath the Earth's surface. 

One of its most interesting features is the possibility of clicking on different locations to discover information about the geological formations found there, including their names, ages, rock types (lithology) and stratigraphic characteristics. Users can also explore geological periods, search for specific rock formations, view fossil collections and access information from the original geological maps and scientific publications. The platform includes additional layers, filters and even a 3D terrain view

Macrostrat offers many possibilities for exploring Geology, Geography, Earth Science and Environmental Education. It can be used to investigate how the Earth's surface has changed over millions of years, compare geological formations in different regions, identify the types of rocks found in particular areas or understand the relationship between geological history and present-day landscapes. 

https://macrostrat.org/map#x=1.97&y=23.47&z=2.5

HathiTrust: Exploring a World of Digitised Books and Historical Documents

HathiTrust is a digital library created through the collaboration of academic and research institutions from around the world. It brings together millions of digitised books, journals, historical documents and other publications, making a vast collection of knowledge available online. The project began in 2008 and aims to preserve library collections and make them accessible for future generations. 

The platform covers a wide range of subjects, including literature, history, science, technology, social sciences and the humanities. Users can search by title, author or subject, or use the full-text search function to find specific words and expressions within digitised publications. This makes it particularly useful for discovering historical sources, researching particular topics and locating information in older books and journals. 

One important feature is that many publications can be read online in full and accessed free of charge. Works in the public domain and those made available with the copyright holder's permission are labelled Full View. Other publications remain under copyright and can only be searched, without access to their complete contents. Access conditions may also vary depending on the user's location and institutional membership. 

For teachers and students, HathiTrust can be a valuable resource for exploring original documents, discovering literary works, investigating historical events and finding additional academic reading. It is particularly interesting for research projects involving primary sources, the history of literature, cultural heritage and the development of science and knowledge over time.

https://www.hathitrust.org/

Where the Romans Fought

Interactive digital resource created by Iosif Lazaridis that brings together information about Roman military history in a geographical format. It documents 1,709 land and sea battles, spanning from the traditional founding of Rome in 753 BCE to the fall of Theodoro in 1475 CE, across territories that now belong to 44 different countries. The website includes an interactive map, a chronological list of battles, information about Roman armies and links to historical sources.

The map allows users to explore battles by historical period or move through time using a year slider. Selecting a location reveals details of the battles fought there, while the searchable database provides information about dates, commanders, opponents, outcomes, the composition of Roman forces and the historical sources behind each entry. The website also distinguishes between victories, defeats, draws and civil wars, and flags battles whose historical accounts are uncertain or disputed. 

For teachers, this resource offers an engaging way to connect History, Geography and digital literacy. Students can trace the expansion and changing reach of Roman power, locate important battlefields, compare military campaigns and investigate how geography influenced historical events. They can also explore the limitations of historical evidence by examining the site's notes on uncertain dates, locations and accounts.

Access the resource:

https://iosiflazaridis.github.io/battles-of-the-romans/

The Climate Dictionary: Nature Edition. Understanding the Language of Sustainability

The Climate Dictionary: Nature Edition, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a practical resource that makes complex environmental concepts easier to understand. It introduces key terms related to biodiversity loss, ecosystem protection and restoration, and the global environmental crisis, explaining them in clear, accessible language without unnecessary scientific jargon. 

The dictionary covers a wide range of topics, including planetary boundaries, environmental justice, Indigenous knowledge, regenerative agriculture, nature-based solutions, carbon sinks and rewilding. Each explanation helps readers understand not only what these concepts mean, but also why they matter for the future of our planet.

This resource can be particularly useful in the classroom for environmental education, science, geography and English language learning. Teachers can use it to introduce new vocabulary, prepare collaborative research tasks, organise debates about sustainability or encourage students to create their own illustrated climate dictionaries. It can also support interdisciplinary projects linked to the Sustainable Development Goals and help students distinguish between scientific concepts that are often mentioned in the media but not always fully understood.

https://climatepromise.undp.org/news-and-stories/climate-dictionary-nature-edition

Essential Resources for Special Education by #Edutopia

Edutopia’s Essential Resources for Special Education brings together a wide range of practical articles, strategies and tools to help teachers respond to diverse learning needs and create more inclusive classroom environments. The collection also offers guidance for school leaders on how to support teachers and strengthen collaboration across educational teams.

The resource covers several key areas, including learning accommodations, support for neurodivergent students, assistive technology, classroom organisation, differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). It also explores how to work with families, improve communication between general and special education teachers, organise individual support plans and help students participate in decisions about their own learning. Other articles focus on specific needs, such as autism, dyscalculia and executive functioning.

The collection is particularly useful for teachers looking for ideas they can adapt to their everyday practice. It can support individual lesson planning, staff discussions, professional development sessions and collaboration between subject teachers, support staff and families. Some resources include templates and ready-to-use tools, making it easier to turn general principles into concrete classroom strategies.

https://www.edutopia.org/package/essential-resources-for-special-education

Free Physics Textbooks

Looking for high-quality physics resources that students and teachers can access for free? Abakcus’s collection of free physics textbooks brings together an extensive library of books and lecture notes written by physicists and universities, with links to the authors’ websites, university pages and open archives.

The collection currently features 223 resources covering 15 areas of physics, from introductory concepts to advanced university-level topics. These include mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, relativity, astrophysics and energy. The resources are organised by subject, academic level and format, making it easier to find material suited to different learning needs. Many are available as PDFs, while others can be read directly online. The collection also includes selected review articles and classic works in the history of physics.

For teachers, this collection offers opportunities to enrich classroom materials, support independent learning and provide additional explanations or challenges for students with different levels of attainment. A textbook can be used to prepare lessons, reinforce a difficult concept, set optional reading or develop research projects. Some resources may also help students explore topics beyond the standard curriculum and discover connections between physics, mathematics, technology and other sciences.

https://abakcus.com/book-lists/free-physics-textbooks

20 Birthday traditions around the world you might not know about

Ever wondered how people celebrate birthdays in other countries? This infographic from the Council of Europe's European Day of Languages (26 September) takes us on a tour of 20 fascinating customs. In China, you're already one year old at birth. In Denmark, children wake up to a room full of gifts. In Ireland, they get "birthday bumps". In Mexico, no party is complete without a piñata, and in Germany, wishing someone a happy birthday early is considered bad luck.

You'll also discover the surprising origins of "Happy Birthday to You", the ancient Greek roots of birthday cakes, and what happens when you're born on 29 February. Whether you're a language lover, a curious traveller, or just planning your next party, these traditions are a fun reminder that cultural awareness starts with the little things, like knowing when (and how!) to say "happy birthday".

https://www.ecml.at/Portals/1/documents/ECML-resources/EDL-infographic-2025-EN.pdf

Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The gender snapshot 2026

Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2026, published by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, provides a clear picture of the current state of gender equality across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Drawing on more than 100 data sources, the report focuses particularly on women’s participation in leadership and decision-making and shows that, despite some progress, gender equality remains far from being achieved.

One of the most striking findings is that women currently hold 27.4% of seats in national parliaments, 35.6% of local government positions and 30.5% of managerial jobs worldwide. The report also highlights that not a single indicator of SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality, is currently on track to be achieved by 2030.

This publication can be a very useful resource for the classroom because it allows students to explore gender equality through real data rather than abstract statements. Graphs, statistics and comparisons can provide a starting point for discussions about representation, access to power, gender stereotypes, economic opportunities and the barriers that women continue to face. It can also be connected with Mathematics, Geography, Social Sciences, Economics, Citizenship Education and Media Literacy.

https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2026/09/progress-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-the-gender-snapshot-2026

Enhancing pedagogies and competencies for sustainability

Enhancing pedagogies and competencies for sustainability is a UNESCO guidance tool published in 2026 as part of the Transforming futures initiative. Its main purpose is to help educators move from teaching about sustainability to learning through action: developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to understand complex challenges, collaborate, solve problems and participate actively in their communities.

One of the most useful features of the publication is its practical approach. It is organised around three complementary pathways (Chart, Navigate and Explore) which help teachers design holistic learning experiences, develop sustainability competencies progressively and create opportunities for students to apply what they have learned in authentic situations. The guide also includes a substantial toolbox with worksheets, progression rubrics, active-learning methods, an authentic-task design canvas, a mini-portfolio template and assessment tools.

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000399354/PDF/399354eng.pdf.multi

Free Math Textbooks: an open library for learning mathematics

Free Math Textbooks is a collection of free mathematics textbooks compiled by Abakcus. It brings together resources written by mathematicians and university educators and provides direct links to the authors’ websites or the universities and institutions hosting the materials. The collection includes a wide range of books, from secondary-school mathematics to advanced university-level topics.

The collection covers many areas, including algebra, calculus, analysis, differential equations, geometry and trigonometry, probability, statistics, number theory and applied mathematics. Resources can also be filtered by level (high school, undergraduate or advanced) and by format, such as PDF or web-based books. This makes it easier to find suitable materials for revision, extension work or further study.

https://abakcus.com/book-lists/free-math-textbooks