9/23/2026

Morning Announcements

Morning Meeting Agenda

Mon · Social Studies Tue · Literacy Wed · Science Thu · Math Fri · ROAR + Houses
Science of the Day

Earth’s invisible shield!

High above us, a special layer of air called the ozone layer shields Earth from the sun’s harshest rays. Today, during Hispanic Heritage Month, we meet the scientist who discovered it was in danger — and helped save it.

Portrait of Mario Molina

Meet Mario Molina! He was a scientist from Mexico. As a boy he loved science so much he turned his bathroom into a laboratory! He grew up to help protect the whole planet.

Way up high above the clouds, Earth has an invisible shield called the ozone layer. It works like sunscreen for our whole planet!

Let’s talk
  • What do YOU wear or use to protect your skin from the sun?
  • What is one way we can take care of our planet?
Try it

Be Earth’s shield! Make a big circle with your arms over your head like a protective bubble. Now say together: “¡Protege la Tierra!” — that’s Spanish for “Protect the Earth!”

Mystery scientist: Born in Mexico City, he was so curious as a child that his family let him set up a laboratory in a spare bathroom. As an adult, he discovered that chemicals used in spray cans and refrigerators were destroying Earth’s ozone layer. In 1995, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Who is he?Hide
Portrait of Mario Molina
Mario Molina — a Mexican chemist and the first Mexican-born scientist to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At first, powerful companies disputed his findings. But the evidence held up, nearly every country agreed to ban those chemicals, and the ozone layer is now healing. Photo credit: [add if license requires]
Let’s talk
  • People doubted him at first. Why does a scientist need courage as well as curiosity?
  • Almost every country on Earth agreed to change because of his research. What does that tell you about the power of evidence?
Try it

With a partner: name one environmental problem you’ve heard about. Then name one piece of evidence a scientist might collect to convince people it’s real. Evidence is how science changes the world.

Additional Notes/Activities

If additional activities are needed for the Morning Meeting, they will be added here.