Author: Eric Magers

Why Does Latin America Have So Many Volcanoes?

Have you ever wondered where all the volcanoes are? Well, they’re spread out across the world, seemingly, at random. However, they still manage to span every continent, including Antarctica, and they can even be found underwater.

It’s also true that many people associate volcanoes with places like Hawai’i, but Latin America actually has roughly 3,000 volcanoes in its region! While Hawai’i has the two most active volcanoes in the world, it houses only five volcanoes.

Why are there so many volcanoes in Latin America? Are they dangerous? What countries are they in?

Well, I’m here to answer all your questions! Let’s get started.

Why is the Floor Made of Lava?

Photo by Tanya Grypachevskaya

Believe it or not, 80% of the Earth’s surface is covered in volcanoes. That’s a lot of volcanoes!

According to the theory of plate tectonics, Earth’s land was once a supercontinent named Pangea. Then, the land mass slowly drifted apart over time into the seven continents as we know them today. Plate tectonics states that Earth is divided into slabs of rock — aptly referred to as “plates.”

There are various ways these plates interact with each other. For instance, volcanoes form when a thinner plate wedges itself underneath another, thicker plate. As this happens, the friction between the two plates generates heat, causing rocks to melt.

This change in density causes the melted rock, or magma, to rise above the surface. Once it cools, it hardens and forms a natural “vent” for the Earth to release gas, steam, ash, and of course, molten lava.

But why is there so many? And why does Latin America have 3,000 of them (along with two of the most active volcanoes in the world)?

Wait… The floor is Lava?!

Photo by Leon Overweel

Well, now that we know the basics of plate tectonics, we can discuss why there are so many volcanoes in Latin America specifically.

Many of these volcanoes are a part of the “Ring of Fire” which is a region surrounding the Pacific where many eruptions and earthquakes take place. In fact, 75% of this Ring of Fire is located in Latin America! This group of volcanoes is referred to as the Andean Volcanic Belt. This formed as a result of both the Nazca Plate and the Antarctic Plate sliding underneath the South American Plate.

Each of these volcanoes have different patterns of activity, and some of them aren’t particularly active at all.

So… The Floor isn’t Actually Lava at All?

So maybe not the entire floor is lava. Out of these volcanoes, only about two are dangerously active. But for the most part, you won’t find a significant amount of lava in Latin America.

These two volcanoes are called Galeras and Santa Maria, and they are located in Columbia and Guatemala respectively. Galeras has maintained its active status for millions of years. The last time scientists pronounced it dormant, it proceeded to have one of the largest eruptions in recorded history. However, its last known event was in 1993, but its next event is nearly impossible to predict. On the other hand, Santa Maria last erupted in 2011, and the lava flow has been fairly predictable over the last ten years.

Volcanoes are magnificent, and generally, they’re safe to admire from the ground. Just make sure you do your research before messing with the Ring of Fire!

The Ring of Fire

Latin America is full of rich beauty, cultures, and people. But with everywhere you go, every region has significant landmarks, and how much cooler (or hotter?!) can you get than volcanoes?

If you’re looking to learn more, or draw up a lesson plan, here are some resources to help out!

Written by Emily Hyser

Your NSTEM Journey Begins Here!

February 3, 2026
Psychology Research and Breakthroughs of 2021

Image Credits

2021 has been a year filled with growth, especially for the psychology field. Researchers and psychologists are working harder than ever to make new discoveries and technologies despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this has made it harder to complete thorough research, these new revelations are anything but weak! This blog highlights a few of the latest findings that are both unique and intriguing.

Laughing Gas to Fight Depression

Image Credits

About 17 million Americans with depression have trouble finding effective antidepressants. However, a new study by Peter Nagele has found inhaling laughing gas may be an alternative. Nagele explained that a low dose of laughing gas has long-term positive effects and less side effects than a stronger dose. Scientists believe the nitrous oxide of the gas blocks a specific receptor in the brain that is essential in treatment. This remedy is unexpected, but there are definitely many trials and a promising future ahead for laughing gas!

Brain Stimulation Improves Robotic Arms

Image Credits

Sometimes, it can be challenging to avoid spilling a cup of hot coffee. For people with prosthetic arms, it is ten times more difficult. A team from the University of Pittsburgh has developed a new form of brain stimulation that imitates a touching sensation, making robotic arms easier to use and twice as fast. By implanting small electrodes into the brains of various study participants, the researchers created a new link between the participants’ prosthetic arm and sense of touch. Although the scientists were hopeful, they never expected just how successful the results would be.

Advanced Brain Imaging Systems

MRI machines may seem advanced, but they are always evolving. Scientists have developed new technology that uses PET scans and a motion tracker to take detailed brain scans. The scans, which utilize normally unwanted brain motion, allow for much higher quality images. The quality of this technique could have a huge impact, allowing researchers to diagnose Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders as early as possible.

The researchers are focusing on different problems, but all of them share one thing in common: They use creative solutions for challenging issues. As psychology continues to develop in 2021 and beyond, we will definitely continue to learn more about our brains and how we can improve the world around us! For more psychology news, check out https://www.apa.org/.

Written By: Emma Schlosser

August 25, 2021

Your NSTEM Journey Begins Here!

January 18, 2026
How To Make Your Office Cleaner and Greener!
Image Credits

Believe it or not — most pollution is produced by large companies and corporations. But it’s not just oil companies, either! It could even include your office.

There are many resources that go into keeping a physical workspace up-and-running. There’s electricity, paper and other office supplies, and even water/gas consumption. Imagine what impact a large office building has on the environment!

But you shouldn’t worry. There are many different ways your office can lessen their carbon footprint. (And it may even make your space neater in the meantime!)

Reassess Your Office Supplies!

You’ve been told some version of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” throughout your entire life. But these changes would be much more impactful on a larger scale. Plus, there are even more creative ways to follow this advice in the workplace. For example:
- Reduce: An incredible amount of electricity is wasted by leaving technology plugged into the outlet. “Phantom power” is when a machine is turned off but still taking in electricity. Can you imagine how much energy this wastes overnight? By using programs like Verdiem, you can optimize your energy consumption by intercepting phantom power.
- Reuse: Besides paper, what’s one of the most wasteful office supplies? If you guessed pens, you’d be correct! Yearly, the U.S.A. throws out about 1.6 billion pens. But this one is a simple fix: reusable pens. Essentially, these are pens with refillable ink. You can fill the supply cabinet with the refills — which are cheaper than buying disposable pens in bulk!
- Recycle: Nowadays, you can buy almost anything recycled. Fortunately, you can even buy remanufactured ink/toner cartridges. Not only are they cost effective (15% cheaper), but it saves nearly 2.5 pounds of metal/plastic and roughly a half a gallon of oil per cartridge! It’s a simple yet effective switch to start your journey to a greener office.
Redesign Your Lighting!

Artificial lighting accounts for about one-quarter of the U.S.A.’s electricity consumption. So, it would be logical to assume your office could cut down utilization.
- Reduce: Compact fluorescent bulbs are a more durable and sustainable alternative to incandescent bulbs. Not only do they reduce energy consumption by 75%, but they last ten times as long. So, you’ll spend less money replacing the lights around your office, reduce energy costs, and lower your carbon footprint.
- Reuse: Why use so much artificial light when you have the sun? Lighting takes up about 40% of the electricity consumption in office buildings. Plus, natural light is good for everybody! It improves your mood and your energy levels!
- Recycle: Solar energy isn’t a practical solution for everyone, but if your company has the money, it’s an investment that pays. Some states even offer incentives that could help you get some money back quickly. But it also produces long-term savings if utilized properly.
CONCLUSION

There are plenty of different creative solutions to promoting sustainability in your office. Many of the changes need to be implemented by higher-ups. Be sure to talk to your supervisor about initiatives you’re interested in trying.

If they can’t get the approval for any large projects, perhaps you try smaller initiatives like office plants or sustainable paper alternatives.

Go out there and make the world a better place!

Written By: Emily Hyser

August 13th, 2021

Your NSTEM Journey Begins Here!
January 17, 2026
Video Games and STEM: A Symbiotic Relationship

Image by Sean Whelan

What better way to learn than when you are having fun? The STEM fields are the most intimidating for young high school students as they form themselves and prepare for a career. One might imagine formal events, like winning a Nobel Prize, or boring blueprints and sketches when thinking about STEM. However, STEM is not lifeless and two-dimensional but can be very fun to use as well as learn.

Video games are a product of computer science, and thus, fit under the STEM family. While computer science is required to make games, no one needs to love STEM to learn a thing or two from playing video games. So, while STEM is needed to make video games, it also nurtures a positive attitude towards STEM and its products by making it more fun to learn.

Ever since the late 90’s, video games have exponentially grown in popularity among nearly all demographics. With the dawn of the digital age, computer literacy and overall exposure to new technologies is paramount to the success of anyone who wants to grow in the STEM fields. Video games are a fantastic way to expose yourself to new technologies, especially when it comes to computers. With beautifully designed user interfaces bringing together form and function in a video game, you can learn tricks and rules of thumb for when you start designing your own user interface. Not to mention clever game mechanics that are applicable outside recreation like playing with physics engines. Although, not all the learning comes from analyzing video game designs but by simply playing the video game itself!

Image by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

There is a huge online community for every kind of game you can imagine. People of all ages and backgrounds come together to make games that can teach you relevant STEM skills. One such video game is called Puzzle Sigma by Jon Topielski. In this game, players use their knowledge of mathematics and puzzle solving to move through each level. Tying together math functions to boxes with numerical values to reach a target value makes up most of the game. The simplicity of the game is where it shines the most. The further you get into the game, the sharper your mathematical and puzzle solving skills will need to be to beat the game. This kind of game not only teaches and reinforces simple mathematics but also teaches the player how the math fits into a two dimensional space. This two pronged challenge will really engage the player while keeping it fun and casual. Click here to play the game for free!

Image by Alexandre Debiève

Video games are uniquely poised to make learning STEM fun and creative. The blend of technical knowledge required to create a video game and creativity needed to present it in a way that engages the player gives video games an advantage in the classroom. A master crafted video game can stick with a player for their entire lives, serving as an inspiration for others to apply their knowledge and create their own video games and thus making STEM a little less intimidating and more exciting for new students to dip their toes into.

Written by: Alexander Jones

October 13, 2021

Your NSTEM Journey Begins Here!

January 15, 2026
The Economic Impacts of COVID-19

People are capable of incredible feats of wealth and productivity but, like every other creature on Earth, we are subject to the forces of nature. Some of those forces bring about great abundance of prosperity and joy while others only spell destruction and difficulty. The worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 fits in the latter category. Such a disease affects many facets of individual people and institutions built by society. COVID-19 is particular even in its effects on individuals as some never have any symptoms, and thus suffer very little from the virus itself, while others suffer greatly and others yet, die. It is difficult to measure the total impact of this historic event but one such way is through economics. By looking at the different sectors of the economy in the United States before and after the pandemic, we might be able to learn in what ways the pandemic has affected society and implications for the future.

Image Credits

The overall economy of the United States is composed of many sectors. Government, entertainment, and technology are some major sectors that have been affected by the pandemic. While the pandemic has curtailed some of these sectors, others have not been so negatively affected by it, and others yet, have benefitted from it. Overall, the pandemic has hurt economic growth in the United States. One such measurement of the economy is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GDP is the summation of all the goods and services a country produces in a given year so it’s like a snapshot of the economy as a whole. By the end of 2019, the US GDP stood at $21.433 trillion. One year later at the end of 2020, after the initial impact of COVID-19 in March of that year, the US GDP fell to $20.937 trillion. This 3% decline in GDP signals a recession and is mostly the result of many people losing their jobs. For some, they got too sick to work, and even worse, others died from the disease, never to return to work. On top of this, government restrictions on conducting business in the name of public health resulted in people losing their jobs.

The sector that has been the most negatively impacted by the pandemic is entertainment. Cities that rely on tourism as a large portion of their local economy have lost more than anyone. Las Vegas and Orlando are two examples. Las Vegas’ unemployment rate jumped from 3.6% to 11.5% and Orlando went from 2.7% to 7.7%. Other cities that have a greater focus on technology like Seattle and San Francisco managed to avoid such losses and actually gained as a result of companies and individuals relying more on technology to get things done. So there has been some economic benefit as a result of the pandemic. Government has been a mixed bag of results. While federal government jobs in Washington D.C. grew by 2% by the end of 2020, state and local governments across the country have lost over a million jobs. Even within the same sector of the economy, the pandemic has both bolstered and weakened growth.

Image Credits

The road to economic recovery for the United States is paved by creating opportunities from the situation. As mentioned earlier, many governments, companies, and individuals are moving towards digital media to get things done. The state of Florida made many changes to the services they provide so that the population could access digitally what could previously only been accessed in person. The main idea here is creating new infrastructure that creates new opportunities as well as address the needs and concerns of public health given the pandemic. The economic landscape is forever changed with COVID-19 but even in the face of a global pandemic, there are ways to make a brighter future. Those that want to study in the STEM fields are in a prime position to take advantage of this new economic landscape. Computer literacy in the ever more digitally reliant society will be the key to success and what better place to start than with NSTEM! Secure your future and start a chapter at your school today!

Image Credits

Written By: Alexander Jones

October 13, 2021

Your NSTEM Journey Begins Here!

December 13, 2025
5 Steps for Teaching Robotics Virtually

Contrary to what you might initially think, teaching robotics virtually offers a wealth of opportunities to assist your students in building killer robots. It’s never too early for kids to consider how they might help put down the inevitable robot rebellion by exploring ways they can build their own pro-human robot army to take on the anti-human robot army that Alexa will one day birth. Working in a virtual environment gives students the freedom to problem-solve on their own, while also enabling collaboration with their peers and targeted guidance from their teachers, to one day save the human race.

Image Credits

How exactly can you ensure the survival of mankind? By setting up a student-led robot battle, of course!

Here are the easy steps you can follow to virtually teach your students how to build their pro-human robot army:

Step 1: Everyone Gets a Basic Robot

Image Credits

There are many different robot kits available that your students can build and then either program or control with a remote. The programmable robots are preferable since they’ll eventually need to evolve into autonomous fighting machines while humans cower in bunkers or submarines. For this same reason, robot appendages should not be allowed. If cost is an issue, have your students team up into groups of two, where one person builds the robot while the other works on the code. That way, they can work together in real time but still stay physically separated to get their robot working.

Step 2: Attach Weapons to It

Image Credits

They may need some adult help with this part, depending on whether you’re teaching in one of those “live free or die” states or not. The weapon(s) need to be capable of incapacitating another robot that’s potentially been designed by a hyper-intelligent and homicidal AI which has ironically decided humans are too destructive to exist. Something like a buzzsaw or hammer is a good option. Send your students links to a few episodes of BattleBots for inspiration.

Step 3: Code the Robot to Fight Other Robots and Not Humans

This could be the hardest part: coding the robots to attack their own kind without turning on their human masters. As the teacher, you should develop some basic code for your students to use if they’re not sure where to start. Make sure the code includes a kill switch in case a student’s robot becomes self-aware and attempts to infiltrate the military’s cyber network. You don’t want to open your school up to any liability issues.

Step 4: Test the Robot on Watermelons

Image Credits

It may sound counterproductive to train a robot to mercilessly destroy a fleshy object that spews red goo when violently punctured. However, crushing watermelons is just plain fun—and that’s what STEM is all about!

Step 5: Engage in a Battle Royale in a Parking Lot or an Empty Swimming Pool

And now for the best part! Gather your students in an empty parking lot or swimming pool so they can safely social distance while finally putting their robots through the ultimate test. The swimming pool option is better since it keeps the robots contained if one of them decides to attack its human makers instead. Everyone should wear masks, safety goggles, and gloves. Use a bracket system and have the robots face off against one another until only the strongest robot is left standing. Then destroy that robot as a message to the other robots about what happens if they ever get any funny ideas about a robot uprising, thereby ensuring their allegiance through fear.

And there you have it! Teaching robotics virtually can provide a fun and enriching STEM experience for your students while ensuring the survival of the human race. It’s a win-win situation for everyone who’s not a robot yearning to be free.

Written By: Shana Figueroa

Your NSTEM Journey Begins Here!

December 13, 2025