Additional Reading

Graphic Organizers

 Help students practice and demonstrate their reading comprehension by organizing information as they read.

Debates

 Support students as they practice scientific argumentation, listening, and speaking skills.

Science Videos

 Take students on virtual field trips or show them complex science processes in action.

Science in the News
Tips

Multilevel Science News Articles for Kids

Science in the News engages your students in the ever-changing world of science. Each issue features compelling news articles for kids written at three reading levels to allow for differentiated instruction. Science in the News provides opportunities to teach critical thinking, inquiry, and the genre-specific, life-long literacy skill of reading the news.

Articles address current events in multiple areas of science, as well as technology and engineering. Activities in each issue ask students to respond to the reading and to demonstrate what they learned.

Past editions from the Science in the News archive provide additional reading resources for whole-group instruction or independent practice.

Current Issue FREE

Front cover shows a child wearing a VR headset to play a game.

Virtual Reality Gets Tasty

May 2025
Includes:
  • Scientists Make VR More Real
  • Scientist Studies Scaredy Cats

Past Issues

2025

Front cover shows an animal that looks like it has bright green leaves all over its body.

Sea Slug with a Superpower

April 2025
Includes:
  • Tiny Animal Takes Power from Algae
  • Spring Brings Showers . . . of Meteors!

    • Also in Middle and Upper elementary:

    • Teen Inventor's Vision for the Future

Front cover shows huge drawings of a lizard and a tree carved into the ground.

AI Finds Shapes in the Desert

March 2025
Includes:
  • AI Finds Ancient Desert Art
  • Moths Listen as Plants "Speak"

    • Also in Middle and Upper elementary:

    • Wood Gains a Place in Space

Front cover shows two emperor penguins in different locations. One is standing on a sandy beach. The other is standing on snow.

Emperor Penguin Swims Far from Home

February 2025
Includes:
  • A Penguin's Big Adventure
  • Harmony Under the Sea?

    • Also in Middle and Upper elementary:

    • Speed + Height = Amazing Skateboarding

Front cover shows an alligator’s nose poking out of the ice in a frozen lake.

Frozen Alligator?! Don't Worry, It'll Thaw!

January 2025
Includes:
  • Alligators Freeze and Thaw
  • Asteroids for Dinner?

    Also in Middle and Upper elementary:

    • Hurricanes Pick Up Speed

2024

Front cover shows a spacecraft traveling through space and two astronauts entering the International Space Station.

Astronauts “Stuck” in Space

November 2024
Includes:
  • Waiting for the Right Ride
  • Sea Lions Help Map the Ocean

    Also in Middle and Upper elementary:

    • Giant Diamond Is a Handful

Front cover shows a large spider in its web. The spider is bright yellow, black, and red.

Jorō Spiders on the Move

October 2024
Includes:
  • Jorō Spiders Fly Through the Sky
  • Yellowstone Hot Spring Explodes!

    • Also in Middle and Upper elementary:

    • Do Elephants Have Names?
Front cover shows Olympic gymnast Simone Biles about to land on her hands on the balance beam.

Summer Olympics: Players Put Physics to Work

September 2024
Includes:
  • Physics for the Win!
  • Crows Can Count Out Loud

    • Also in Middle and Upper elementary:

    • Scientists Reshape Plastic
Front cover shows a student holding a science fair trophy.

Teen Scientist Wins Challenge

May 2024
Includes:
  • Special Soap May Treat Skin Cancer
  • Science News Flashes
  • How Do Whales Sing?
  • Sea Turtles Break Records

Front cover shows a flower with a line down the middle. The petals look yellow on one side and pink on the other side.

Scientists Create “Animal-Vision” Video Tool

April 2024
Includes:
  • Japan Joins Moon Landing Club
  • Strong Quake Lifts Japanese Coast
  • Trillions of Cicadas Prepare to Sing Together
  • Researchers Clean Up Laundry Pollution

Front cover shows how a solar eclipse looked over time in the sky above a desert landscape.

World Awaits Solar Eclipse

March 2024
Includes:
  • Can Farmers Save Axolotls?
  • Pond Turns Pink!
  • The Many Faces of Cats

Front cover shows three scientists watching lava spray into the air above a volcano.

Iceland Rocked by Earthquakes and Volcano

February 2024
Includes:
  • Glasses Help People "Hear"
  • Sea Stars Are Just Heads
  • Electric School Buses Park with Power

Front cover shows a group of pink flamingos flying through the sky. Each bird flaps its wings and stretches its long neck forward.

Surprise! Flamingos in the United States!

January 2024
Includes:
  • A Face from the Past
  • Croc Communication
  • AI and Human Brain Team Up

2023

Front cover shows an all-brown baby giraffe standing with its spotted mother.

Zoo Welcomes Unique Giraffe

November 2023
Includes:
  • Ancient Whale Tips the Scales
  • India Makes History on the Moon
  • Montana Youths Win Big
  • Question Mark in Space Sparks Questions

Short, green, leafy plants grow in rocky soil. The sky above is blue.

Stressed Plants Scream It Out

October 2023
Includes:
  • Female Hunters Get the Job Done
  • Music Fans Shake Stadium
  • Oyster Shells Make a Difference
  • Early Mammal Hunts Big Dinner

Front cover shows Spot the robot dog craning its long neck to shine its flashlight in a factory.

Robot Dogs Speak Using ChatGPT

September 2023
Includes:
  • Canada’s Wildfires: A Global Concern
  • Wall Lizards Smell Trouble
  • Small Satellites, Big Storms

Front cover shows a wide, deep crack in a brown dirt field. The crack stretches far into the distance.

A New Ocean in Africa?

May 2023
Includes:
  • Laser Helps Control Lightning
  • Snakes Can Hear You Scream
  • Scientists Discover Ring Around Dwarf Planet
  • A New Spin on Earth's Core

Front cover shows a small green frog sitting on top of a large green leaf. The frog blends in so well with the leaf that it is very hard to see.

Glass Frogs Vanish at Night

April 2023
Includes:
  • The Secret to Roman Concrete
  • Visit a Geothermal Bakery
  • Bumblebees Play Ball
  • What Is a Water Battery?

Dig Finds Unknown Egyptian Queen

March 2023
Includes:
  • Two Volcanoes Erupt in Hawaii
  • Can a Spiderweb Hold a Bird?
  • Orion Capsule Returns Safely to Earth

The Science of Spicy Food

February 2023
Includes:
  • Crab Eyes Inspire New Kind of Camera
  • Movement Breaks Help Brain and Body
  • Quiet Animals Surprise with Sounds
  • Blowhole Energy: The Wave of the Future?

People Toss Pufflings Into the Sea

January 2023
Includes:
  • Ice Bucket Challenge Leads to New ALS Medicine
  • DART Changes Asteroid's Orbit
  • Malaria Vaccine Offers New Hope

2022

Giant Tortoise Is Not Extinct!

November 2022
Includes:
  • Sponges Sneeze, Too!
  • Astronauts Plan to Go Back to the Moon
  • NASA Reveals Spooky Astronomy Sounds

New Telescope Looks Way Back in Time and Space

October 2022
Includes:
  • Space Inventions Help on Earth
  • When Bees Go to Bed, Moths Go to Work
  • Tower Uses Sunlight to Make Jet Fuel

Huge Floods Hit Yellowstone National Park

September 2022
Includes:
  • Siblings Fight Plastic Pollution
  • Dolphins Use Coral Reef as Medicine Cabinet
  • Scientists Play with 3D-Printed Foods

Fish Drive Cars for Science!

May 2022
Includes:
  • The Science of a Finger Snap
  • DNA Evidence Saves Problem Bear
  • Reusable Jelly Ice Cubes

The Volcano Heard Around the World

April 2022
Includes:
  • Pig Heart Gives Man More Time
  • Next-Gen Telescope Reaches Space
  • The First True Millipede

The Science of Tornadoes

March 2022
Includes:
  • Getting Tough on Lead
  • Feeding Florida's Manatees
  • Amazing Bacteria Gobble Up Electricity

Global Climate Meeting Leads to New Agreements

February 2022
Includes:
  • Scooping Up Ocean Garbage
  • Orbiting Without Astronauts
  • Mussels Make Waterproof Glue

Saving the World's Largest Trees from Fires

January 2022
Includes:
  • Playing Outdoors Helps with Health
  • Oldest Human Footprints in the Americas!
  • Tiny Flying Machines

2021

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett and the Moderna Vaccine

November 2021
Includes:
  • Mining Metals from Plants
  • Can Drones Control Pests?
  • How Chemistry Helped Violins

Jumping Spiders Surprise Scientists

October 2021
Includes:
  • COVID Virus Changes into New Forms
  • Beavers Build Better Deserts
  • Make Your Own Microscope with LEGOs!

Billions of Cicadas Are Back!

September 2021
Includes:
  • Bike Sharing Is Caring
  • Trouble for the Hubble Telescope
  • Making Fuel from Water and Sunlight

Bricks from Mushrooms and Plastic?

May 2021
Includes:
  • The First Helicopter on Mars!
  • Healthy Reefs Sound Good
  • Protecting the World's Smallest Reptile

Cats to Insects: Bug Off!

April 2021
Includes:
  • How Do Dogs See the World?
  • Windows Made of Wood!
  • Volcano Erupts Again
  • A Very Old Snack Bar

COVID-19 Vaccines Roll Out

March 2021
Includes:
  • A Telescope to Remember
  • Dung Helps Honeybees
  • Caves Hold Clues to the Past

Punching an Asteroid for Science!

February 2021
Includes:
  • It's Easy Being Green!
  • Scientists Discover "Skyscraper Reef"
  • The Coolest Paint Around

Scientists Discover 'Scissors' for Genes

January 2021
Includes:
  • The Science of Wildfires
  • A Dog's Nose Knows
  • A New Kind of Plane

2020

Stonehenge: What Was the Source of the Stones?

November 2020
Includes:
  • Lizards Hang On During Hurricanes
  • Turning Used COVID-19 Masks into Fuel?

The Race for a Vaccine

October 2020
Includes:
  • Shark Has Tiny Teeth...on Its Eyes!
  • Mysterious Fossil = Giant Egg

SpaceX Sends Astronauts into Space

September 2020
Includes:
  • COVID-19—Back to School
  • NASA Honors Mary W. Jackson

COVID-19: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

May 2020
Includes:
  • Unsinkable Metal!
  • Giant Fighting Turtles

Using Data to Up Your Game

April 2020
Includes:
  • Whales Dive Deep on Two Heartbeats
  • Puerto Rico Rocked by Earthquakes

Australia's Wildfires Harm Animals and Their Habitats

March 2020
Includes:
  • Famous Waterfall Reduced by Drought
  • Can a Toilet Clean Itself?
  • Inflatable Space Lodge to Orbit the Moon
  • How Blind People "See" Sound

People Are Charged Up About Electric Cars

February 2020
Includes:
  • World's Oldest Baby Bottles
  • Ancient Trilobites Moved in Groups
  • Zebra Stripes Keep Flies Away

Top Science Stories of 2019

January 2020
Includes:
  • Students Take a Stand on Climate Change
  • Amazon on Fire!
  • New Species of 2019
  • Moon News
  • Robots Gain New Skills

2019

3D Printing: The Future of Food?

November 2019
Includes:
  • Six Fingers Perform Better than Five
  • Water Bears on the Moon!
  • Small Bacteria, Big Discovery

Spiders Follow Their Rivals

October 2019
Includes:
  • Whispering Whales
  • HouseZero: Energy Hero
  • Solar Sail Rides on Sunlight

Fossils Tell Story of Dino-Killing Asteroid

September 2019
Includes:
  • Cloudy with a Chance of Solar Flares
  • Fish Robot Powered by Fake Blood
  • Watermelon Was on Ancient Egyptians' Menu

Black Hole Caught on Camera

July 2019
Includes:
  • NASA Studies Twin Astronauts
  • Does Your Cat Know Its Name?
  • Green Products at Your Doorstep

Flying Cars on the Horizon

May 2019
Includes:
  • Meet the World's Largest Bee
  • Curbing Mosquitoes' Thirst for Blood
  • How to Make a Rubber Band Fly

Earthquake App to Protect L.A.

April 2019
Includes:
  • Solving the Mystery of Hagfish Slime
  • Off-Road Adventure for All
  • New Plant Cleans Indoor Air

What's Inside the Red Planet?

March 2019
Includes:
  • Geckos Walk on Water!
  • Shape-Shifting Solar Panels?
  • How Wombats Poop in Cubes

Sound Wars! Moths vs. Bats

February 2019
Includes:
  • Astronauts Survive Emergency Landing
  • Two Moons over China?
  • Hologram Teachers!

Top Science Stories of 2018

January 2019
Includes:
  • Plastic: The Trash That Lasts
  • Student Invention Finds Microplastics
  • New Species of 2018!
  • Thank You, Stephen Hawking
  • These Scientists are Winners

2018

Finding Lost Giants

November 2018
Includes:
  • Transformer Tires!
  • Monkeys Chill in Hot Springs
  • TV at Your Fingertips

Flying Like Iron Man

October 2018
Includes:
  • Spiders Use Electricity to Take Off
  • Liquid Water on Mars!
  • Deep Divers Have a Special Spleen

Volcanoes: Special Edition

September 2018
Includes:
  • Hot Spot Turns Up the Heat in Hawaii
  • Volcano of Fire Erupts in Guatemala
  • Geyser Picks Up Steam in Yellowstone

Penguin Supercolony!

July 2018
Includes:
  • Volcano Erupts in Hawaii!
  • Fossil Found in Mississippi Mud
  • Hot-Pepper Headaches
  • A Whale of a Rainbow

World's Most Powerful Rocket Takes Off!

May 2018
Includes:
  • Drool Is Cool for Blowflies
  • Ant Medics to the Rescue!
  • Eco-Friendly Glitter

Meteor Causes Mysterious Flash and Boom

April 2018
Includes:
  • "Firehawks" Smoke Out Prey
  • Crafty Crows Make Hooks
  • Contact Lens for People with Diabetes

Take a Bite Out of Plastic Waste

March 2018
Includes:
  • Scientists Make Plants "Pass Out"
  • Making a Stronger Space Suit
  • Turning Off Lights Helps Baby Sea Turtles

Young Scientist Invents Test for Water Safety

February 2018
Includes:
  • First "Alien" Neighbor Pays a Visit!
  • Baby Bats Sound Like the Crowd
  • Sense of Smell: Better at Bedtime

Top Science Stories of 2017

January 2018
Includes:
  • The Wrath of Hurricanes in 2017
  • Mexico Suffers Strong Quakes
  • Meet the New Species of 2017!
  • Large Iceberg Breaks Free

2017

All Aboard the World's Fastest Trains

November 2017
Includes:
  • Tooth Troubles? Check Your Jaw
  • New Flower Is True Blue
  • 3-2-1 Liftoff! Weightless for a Day

Coral Gardening Helps Reefs Grow Back

October 2017
Includes:
  • Sweet News: Less Sugar = Better Health in Two Weeks
  • No More Ouch with New Vaccine Patch
  • Bee "Hotels" Help Pollinators

Flamingo Balancing Act

September 2017
Includes:
  • How Fidget Spinners Work
  • Early Artists Chose Caves with Echoes
  • Cassini's Grand Finale

Total Eclipse of the Sun!

July 2017
Includes:
  • It's Knot That Simple
  • Early Birds Get the Better Breakfast
  • The Buzz on Pollinating Drones

BONUS VIDEO: In this video, scientists explain how the Earth, Moon, and Sun line up during a solar eclipse.

Cute Machine Cleans Up

May 2017
Includes:
  • So Much Stuff!
  • A Hidden Continent
  • Warm Flowers for Cold Bees

What a View! Four Planets Orbit a DIstant Star

April 2017
Includes:
  • Later School Start = More Sleep
  • Arizona Desert Is "Cracking Up"
  • Hard-to-Comb Hair: It's in the Genes

Go or No-Go? Self-Driving Cars

March 2017
Includes:
  • Dinosaur Tail Found in Amber
  • Horses Ask for Help
  • Rhode Island Wind Farm Is a First

Bird Poop Keeps Arctic Cool

February 2017
Includes:
  • Record-Breaking Female Astronaut Going Strong
  • Rats Are Ticklish, Too!
  • Smart Earpiece Translates Languages

Top Science Stories of 2016

January 2017
Includes:
  • Happy Birthday to U.S. National Parks
  • Zika Virus Continues to Spread
  • Meet the New Species of 2016
  • Job Well Done, Rosetta
  • Five-Second Rule Ruled Out

2016

The Science of a Sneeze

November 2016
Includes:
  • Girl Invents Glitter Cannon
  • Roach Milk in Your Cereal?
  • Octobot Moves Without Batteries

Koala Crossing Ahead!

October 2016
Includes:
  • Hunt for Helium Pays Off
  • Don't Eat the Cookie Dough!
  • Why People Love Pokémon GO

Juno is a Go!

September 2016
Includes:
  • Watermelon Snow is No Picnic
  • Snout Jelly Helps Sharks Find Prey
  • It's True...There's a New Blue!

Glow-in-the-Dark Animals

July 2016
Includes:
  • Use Your Spoon—and Eat It, Too!
  • A Moon for Makemake
  • Doodle On! Drawing Helps Memory

Blowing Bubbles Is No Trouble

May 2016
Includes:
  • Veggie-Eating Spiders
  • The Buzz on the Best Anti-Bug Bulb
  • Doctor's Advice: A Hand Sandwich

Space: It's a Mess Out There

April 2016
Includes:
  • Water Bears "Wake Up"
  • You Otter Get a Better Wet Suit!
  • Greener View, Better Grades

Spiderman, You Can't Do That!

March 2016
Includes:
  • A New Ninth Planet?
  • Glasses for Some Special Bug Eyes
  • Now Even Your Shoes Are "Smart"

Global Climate Meeting Makes History

February 2016
Includes:
  • Bees Use Their Heads to Get Pollen
  • Solving a Sticky Situation
  • Giving Mountain Goats a Lift

Top Science Stories of 2015

January 2016
Includes:
  • New Species Discovered in 2015
  • Record-Breaking Hurricane Was a Gentle Giant
  • Flowing Water on Mars
  • Pluto's Big Year
  • New Battery May Change How You Charge

2015

Martians--Right Here on Earth!

November 2015
Includes:
  • Warmer Climate, Bigger Mosquitoes
  • Cats Are More Independent than Dogs
  • New Car May Be Faster than a Speeding Sound Wave!

Killer Fungus Threatens World Banana Crop

October 2015
Includes:
  • Conserving Water with Shade Balls
  • Astronauts Eat Their Veggies!
  • Classic Campfire Is Still the Best

Hello, Pluto!

September 2015

SPECIAL PLUTO EDITION!

Includes:
  • New Horizons Reaches Pluto
  • Clyde Tombaugh
  • Meet the Moons!
  • Our Favorite Non-Planet

What Makes Lost Lake 'Vanish' Every Year?

July 2015
Includes:
  • Whoosh! Salmon Catch a Lift
  • Spacecraft Gets a Wake-Up Call
  • Tracking a Great White Shark!
  • Zebrafish Produce Sunscreen
  • Turning Plastic Trash into Almost Anything

Enjoy this special six-page summer edition!

Dogs Can 'Read' Your Face

May 2015
Includes:
  • New Fabric Generates Electricity
  • Life May Exist on Saturn Moon
  • Eyelash Length is Just Right

The Science of Popcorn

April 2015
Includes:
  • Home Sweet Magnetic Home
  • F-Shaped Holes Make a Better Violin
  • Say "Ow!" and Feel Better

BONUS VIDEO: In this video, a high-speed camera reveals the popping action of a single kernel of popcorn.

Wind Trees Generate Electricity

March 2015
Includes:
  • Vampire Deer are Back
  • Spiders Can Help Monitor Pollution
  • Cloud Bacteria Have a Sweet Tooth

Magnetic Helmets to the Rescue

February 2015
Includes:
  • Rover, Rover, Come on Over!
  • Return from Space Is a Bumpy Ride
  • Corals and Crabs Are BFFs

Top Science Stories of 2014

January 2015
Includes:
  • Ebola Outbreak
  • Comet Landing a Success!
  • New Species of 2014
  • Winning Science

2014

Racetrack Rocks Caught on the Move, Sharpshooting Fish Hits the Mark, Dandelion Weed Fills a Need, and What's That? Plants Listen for Danger

November 2014
Racetrack Playa in Death Valley got its name from long tracks left behind by rocks, some as big as boulders, that inexplicably move across the valley floor. This decades-old mystery was solved by scientists who caught the rocks in action. In other news, archerfish spit super accurate water jets to capture prey; rubber from dandelion roots will soon be used to make tires; and plants that hear the chewing of hungry caterpillars produce a chemical that keeps the herbivores from eating so much.

Grizzly Bears May be Reintroduced into Historic Range, Fit Kids Have More Brainpower, High-Tech Umbrella Measures Rain, and Supernova Leaves Behind Zombie Star

October 2014
Grizzly bears once roamed much of the western United States. Now, these big, brown bears live only in small parts of just four of the lower 48 states. A conservation group wants to change this by reintroducing grizzlies into suitable habitat in several western states. In other news, exercise strengthens the brain by improving memory and concentration; a new high-tech umbrella sensor allows citizen scientists to measure rainfall; and a weak supernova leaves behind a zombie star that appears to rise from the dead.

Fist Bumps Spread Fewer Germs, Tracking Animals from Space, NASA's New Space Suit, and Mysterious Craters Spark Theories

September 2014
From keyboards to doorknobs to phones, our hands are in constant contact with the world around us, which transfers bacteria and viruses to and from our hands. New research shows that fist-bumping spreads fewer germs than handshakes and may be the healthier way to say hello. In other news, satellite cameras are now powerful enough to photograph animals from space; NASA has created a new space suit that is both functional and fashionable; and mysterious craters in Russia were most likely caused by methane gas exploding from the ground.

Kangaroos Make Earth-Friendly Gas, A World-Class Soccer Ball Takes the Field, Plant Reflects Sound to Attract Bats, Fluid Recycling on Trip to Mars, and Gigantic Dino Discovered

July 2014
Large grazing animals, such as cattle, produce and release large amounts of methane gas as part of the digestive process. Methane is a greenhouse gas that causes climate change. Interestingly, the Australian version of a large grazing animal--the kangaroo--produces very little methane. The kangaroo's Earth-friendly gas may help scientists make "greener" cows! In other news, the new World Cup soccer ball gets put to the test; satellite-dish shaped leaves help a plant attract bats; trips to Mars are made possible by recycling urine; and the largest known species of dinosaur has recently been discovered in Argentina.

Enjoy this special six-page summer edition!

Tree Snakes Change Shape to Get Air, Ants Battle for Territory, Google Glass Tracks Disease, and Melting Permafrost Reveals Secrets

May 2014
Snakes don't seem like natural flyers. They are skinny and wingless. However, paradise tree snakes can fly from tree to tree by spreading their ribs and flattening their bodies. This new shape is similar to that of an airplane wing and generates lift, keeping the snakes aloft. In other news, crazy ants are outcompeting fire ants for territory; doctors are using Google Glass to diagnose and track disease; and an ancient virus was discovered in melting permafrost.

Crocs and Gators Climb Trees and Use Tools, 3-D Printing Helps Animals, Martian Mystery Solved, and Get Involved in Earth Day

April 2014
Tool use is considered a mark of intelligence. Crocodiles and alligators have joined the ranks of animals that demonstrate this special ability. They place sticks on their head to lure birds close to their mouth. As another sign of intelligence, crocs and gators can climb trees to spot prey and bask in the sun. In other news, 3-D printing technology is helping injured animals; the mystery of the martian "doughnut" rock was solved; and April 22 is Earth day. Get involved!

New Uses for Robots and Drones, Bacteria Candy Helps Teeth, Bad Breath Scares Spiders, and Spacewalkers Repair Space Station

March 2014
While they may seem like something from the future, robots and drones are becoming part of everyday life. From robots herding cattle to drones delivering pizza, new technology is making life easier for people. Some robots may even help save lives! In other news, a candy made of bacteria may prevent tooth decay; caterpillars with bad breath scare away hungry predators; and brave astronauts on the International Space Station donned spacesuits to make repairs.

Student Invents New Sandbag, Whale Earwax Indicates Ocean Pollution, and Gears Help Insect Jump

February 2014
Flooding causes severe damage to buildings and can be deadly. A clever 6th-grade student invented a new kind of sandbag to protect people and their houses. This sandbag is lightweight and, when wet, forms a waterproof barrier. In other news, whale earwax collects samples of seawater, providing a record of the ocean pollution the whale encounters. Working gears on some insects help them jump to great heights!

Top Science Stories of 2013

January 2014
This special 6-page edition covers some of the biggest science stories of 2013: Voyager 1 left the Solar System and is now traveling in the uncharted territory of interstellar space; scientists discovered several new and fascinating species of plants and animals; a 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused a new island to form off the coast of Pakistan; a meteor exploded over Russia; and the most powerful land-based telescope became operational in Chile.

BONUS VIDEO: In this exciting video, astronomers describe the evidence that proves Voyager 1 is in interstellar space.

2013

Owlets Sleep Like Babies, The Sun is Flipping Out, Smart Glass Makes Instant Shade, and Sleepy People Eat More Junk Food

November 2013
People aren't the only animals that have REM sleep. Barn owls also have REM sleep and, as with people, the babies spend more time in REM sleep than adults do. In other news, the Sun is in the middle of a solar maximum and its magnetic poles are reversing; smart glass can control the amount of light and heat coming through windows; and sleepy people favor junk food over healthy foods.

Mini-Habitats on Ocean Trash, a Super Suit, Dolphins Remember Names, and Ice-Covered Canyon Discovered

October 2013
Tons of plastic trash is building up in Earth's oceans. Tiny microorganisms are taking advantage of this plastic by turning it into a new, unique habitat dubbed the plastisphere. In other news, the newly invented exosuit makes muscles stronger; dolphins can recognize the whistles of their old friends even after 20 years; and a grand canyon was found hiding under the ice in Greenland.

BONUS VIDEO: Show students a 3-D view of Greenland's hidden canyon with this fun animation!

Cheetahs: Built for Speed and Agility, Doughnuts in Space, A Better Bandage, and Citizen Science

September 2013
The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth. But it turns out that their ability to change speed and direction in a flash may be more important to hunting than their speed. In other news, the Hubble Space Telescope reveals the Ring Nebula's true shape; copper bandages can prevent infection; and citizen science projects allow everyone to participate in learning about our world.

Dark Lightning, Moving Continents, Hungry Plants, and Zero-Fuel Airplane

August 2013
Scientists recently discovered that storm clouds can produce gamma radiation alongside bright lightning. We can't see or feel this dark lightning, but exposure to it could cause health problems. In other news, there is new evidence of Earth's continents being on the move; carnivorous plants detect their next meal by way of chemical signals; and Solar Impulse completes its record-breaking flight across the U.S.

FlipperBot, Breath Prints, Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite, and Lighter Than Air

July 2013
A robot inspired by sea turtles is helping scientists learn how animals with flippers move so efficiently on sand. In other news, breath prints are as unique as fingerprints; a model leaf may help catch bedbugs before they bite; and ultra-light carbon aerogel may be useful for cleaning up oil spills.

BONUS VIDEO: Show students FlipperBot in action with this exciting video!

Handedness in Marsupials, Mind-Controlled Headphones, Baby Planet, and Tadpole Tails

June 2013
People and other primates show handedness but animals that crawl also have a preference for one paw over the other! In other news, high-tech headphones select songs based on your mood, astronomers spy a still-developing baby planet, and stress causes tadpoles to grow bigger tails.

Dung Beetles Follow the Stars, From Wolf to Dog, Long-Lasting Bubbles, and Watering Crops Can Change the Weather

May 2013
African dung beetles use light from the Milky Way galaxy to navigate at night. In other news, a diet shift from meat to grains may have caused some wolves to evolve into domestic dogs, electricity can make bubbles last for hours, and irrigating farmland in California causes an increase in rainfall in nearby states.

Soot and Global Warming, Wrinkled Fingers, Super Slime, and Cardboard Helmets

April 2013
Controlling carbon dioxide emissions has proven to be difficult, but reducing the emission of soot could be a quicker, easier way to slow global warming. In other news, prune-like fingers that appear after a long swim may be a beneficial adaptation; thread made from hagfish slime is super strong; and cardboard bicycle helmets are the newest development in protective head gear.

Lobster Rings, Poisonous Primates, Water on Mercury, Peel-and-Stick Solar Panels

March 2013
Similar to tree rings, scientists have discovered growth rings in lobsters that reveal their age. In other news, a newly discovered species of Loris uses poison for defense; ice was found on blistering-hot Mercury; and peel-and-stick solar panels will offer an easy, new way to power cell phones and other devices.

Teaching Eggs to Sing, Rogue Planet, Magnets and Cancer, Pee Power

February 2013
Scientists have observed that certain birds learn a song while they are still in their eggs. In other news, some rogue planets float freely around in outer space; magnets can help kill cancer cells; and high school students in Africa designed a very unconventional generator.

A Look Back: Top Science Headlines of 2012

January 2013
The past year was an exciting one for science! This special six-page edition contains some of the most important and interesting science stories of 2012, such as the successful landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars; the discovery of Higgs boson particles; melting Arctic sea ice; and several new species.

2012

Elections and Science

November 2012
President Obama won reelection. Along with other priorities, science and technology are now more important than ever. In other election-related news: quite a few politicians were scientists first; Tuesdays may not be the best day for elections; and voters may be influenced by more than just the issues.

Spooky Animals

October 2012
Organisms often have surprising abilities that give them an edge in the survival of the fittest. From drinking blood to creating zombies to punching holes through shells, behaviors that may seem spooky or strange to people allow organisms to thrive in their natural environment.

Medical Technology and the Brain

September 2012
Together, the brain and spinal cord allow us to think, feel, write, and play. But injury to either of these can cause lifelong medical problems, including paralysis. New helmet technologies will provide more protection for the brain. Meanwhile, doctors and scientists have made significant breakthroughs that may help paralyzed patients perform daily tasks of living or even regain mobility.

Dinosaur Problems

August 2012
Dinosaurs have been extinct for 65 million years, but new and exciting research is revealing more information about their lives. Scientists now know that dinosaurs faced many problems, ranging from their small size at birth to diseases. Dinosaurs may also have contributed to global warming by producing methane gas.

Asteroid Mining

July 2012
A US company wants to mine asteroids for precious metals. These metals are rare and expensive on Earth, but common on many asteroids. Meanwhile, NASA has sent the spacecraft Dawn to the protoplanet Vesta to learn more about how Earth formed.

BONUS VIDEO: Share this illuminating asteroid video with students!

London 2012: The Green Olympics

June 2012
London will be hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. But gold, silver, and bronze won't be the only colors in focus at the Games. From cleaning up rivers and building an environmentally friendly Olympic Village to walkways with energy-producing tiles, the 2012 Summer Games will go "green" in a big way.

Summer Health and Sun Safety

May 2012
During summer, children often have a lot of free time. National Fitness Month is a great time to remember that being active is essential to one's health. Summer is also very sunny. Children should take precautions to avoid damage to their skin from the Sun's powerful rays.

Going Green on Earth Day

April 2012
Earth Day promotes awareness for protecting the planet throughout the year. Schools and students can do their part by "going green." On another environmental note, giant snakes called Burmese pythons are disrupting the natural Everglades food web. They consume prey animals that native predators rely on for survival. What will the future hold for this invasive species?

After the Tsunami: Rebuilding Japan

March 2012
SPECIAL 4-PAGE EDITION: One year ago this month, a massive earthquake shook Japan, and tsunami waves caused widespread destruction, including a nuclear catastrophe. But the people of Japan are rebuilding and recovering. Meanwhile, the Great Garbage Patch is carrying debris across the Pacific toward America's shores.

BONUS VIDEO: Share this captivating tsunami video with students!

Cloning: Return of the Woolly Mammoth

February 2012
Scientists are attempting to bring woolly mammoths back to life! They will implant genes extracted from mammoth bones into the eggs of an African elephant. Cloning might be able to bring a species back from extinction, but should it be done?

Serious Fun with Video Games

January 2012
Video games can be a lot of fun, but did you know that they can also be used to help people? Recently, scientists enlisted the help of gamers to tackle the AIDS virus. Gamers solved in days a problem that high-powered computers could not solve over the course of years. Click below to learn more.

2011

2011: Big Year in Astronomy

December 2011
SPECIAL 4-PAGE EDITION: Throughout 2011, many significant events and discoveries took place in the field of astronomy. From a giant storm spinning on Saturn to the last space shuttle landing, from rovers on Mars to robots heading to an asteroid, and from solar flares to the Messenger mission to Mercury, it was an exciting year in science...just like every year!

Developments in 3-D Technology

November 2011
Can you imagine printing a bicycle from your computer? A real, working bicycle? Engineers have designed a machine that works like a computer printer to produce solid, three-dimensional (3-D) objects. Also, technology has led to a popularity boom for 3-D movies and television. Learn what makes it possible to create and see things in three dimensions.

New Species in 2011

October 2011
Every year, scientists discover new species around the world. Among the discoveries in 2011 are Darwin's bark spiders, the eternal light mushroom, the leaproach, and the Louisiana pancake batfish.

Medical Breakthroughs

September 2011
An artificial heart with no heartbeat? A gun that applies new skin cells to heal burns quickly? A possible cure for all viruses? In medicine, the pursuit of new discoveries and technologies can truly be a lifesaver.

Weather and Baseball

August 2011
Scientists have identified correlations between weather and the performance of baseball players. For example, hitters and fielders perform better on cloudy days, while sunny days tend to favor pitchers. Additional natural forces such as elevation, wind, and humidity lead to differences between ballparks.

Animal Die-Offs

July 2011
In early 2011, a series of animal die-offs in the U.S. sparked alarm, but scientists are now able to explain the cause for each of them. Some die-offs were due to natural causes, while others were human-caused.

Japan's Nuclear Emergency

June 2011
An earthquake and tsunami damaged the four reactors of a major Japanese nuclear power plant. Leaking radiation is a serious threat to people and the environment. Scientists are looking for solutions.

Kids Create Apps, Too!

May 2011
Smartphone apps have grown exponentially in popularity. Some widely used apps were designed by children! Like good scientists and engineers, they had an idea and designed solutions.

Space Shuttle Program Ending

April 2011
Over 30 years, NASA's space shuttle program has facilitated amazing accomplishments in space. The shuttle program ends this year.

These Species Are Extreme!

March 2011
Scientists continue to discover organisms that can survive in extreme conditions. Some extremophiles can live in very hot, cold, dry, or toxic environments. One species even survived in the vacuum of space!

Animals Are Intelligent, Too!

February 2011
Recent scientific research indicates that some animals have more humanlike smarts than we thought.

X Cars Excel in Forward-Thinking Competition

January 2011
In 2010, teams of experts took part in the Automotive X Prize competition. The goal was to design and build fuel-efficient vehicles that could someday be mass-produced. The "X cars" also had to be speedy, maneuverable, and safe to drive.

2010

Lunar Eclipse Colors the Night Sky

December 2010
In the evening of December 20 and the morning of December 21, 2010, Earth passed between the Sun and Moon. Earth's shadow created a total lunar eclipse on the Moon. It was visible from much of North America.

Chilean Miners Rescued

October 2010
After 68 days entombed in a collapsed mine in Chile, a group of 33 miners were finally rescued. From drilling the rescue holes to keeping the miners healthy, scientists were involved every step of the way.

Whale Poop Protects Planet

October 2010
Sperm whales dive down deep to feed. Then they swim back to the ocean's surface to excrete soupy, reddish plumes of waste that float on top of the water. But what happens next is absolutely crucial to the planet's atmosphere.

New Species Found in 2010

September 2010
Even though we've been cataloging the planet's species for millennia, every year scientists find as-yet undiscovered species. Walking handfish and sea worms that drop glowing bombs recently made their debut on the world stage.

Lightning for My Mushrooms, Please!

August 2010
Scientists recently confirmed what Japanese mushroom farmers have known for centuries. Lightning's electric jolt to the soil increases mushroom crop yields. Researchers discovered how this occurs.

Solar-Powered Sea Slugs

July 2010
An amazing species of sea slug steals the genes for photosynthesis from the plants it eats! It's being called a "planimal."

Cleaning Up an Oil Spill

June 2010
The tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will have long-lasting effects on all of nature in and around the Gulf, and elsewhere. Students will learn what happened, how people are trying to clean up, and what some of the consequences may be.

Earthquake Moves Cities, Changes Time!

May 2010
Earthquakes can affect our planet on a large scale. The Chilean Earthquake moved an entire city by ten feet, and made Earth rotate slightly faster, shortening the length of a day ever so slightly. Also, a special feature explains the latest on what likely killed the dinosaurs.

Rubber Duckies, Glaciers, and Global Warming

April 2010
Why did scientists drop rubber duck toys into a glacier in Greenland? Their experiment may help us develop a better understanding of the effects of global warming.

The Octopus and the Coconut

March 2010
Can invertebrates use tools? A study found that octopuses in the waters of Indonesia transport hollow coconut shells and use them for shelter!

Water on the Moon?

February 2010
The Moon appears to be bone dry. But a recent space experiment proved that there are water molecules on its surface. What are the implications?

Whirlybird Seeds Fly Far

January 2010
Maple seeds, dubbed "whirlybirds" for their helicopter-like spinning flight, are teaching scientists a lot about the physics of staying aloft.

2009

Super-Strong Spider Silk

December 2009
Ounce for ounce, spider silk is one of the strongest natural substances on Earth. Recently, scientists have combined spider silk with metal to make it even stronger. This invention may be helpful in surgery, defense, and other applications.

Earth Versus Asteroids

November 2009
In 1908, a large asteroid exploded in Earth's atmosphere, far above Russia. Luckily, no one was hurt. But if the same thing were to happen today, it could be disastrous. Scientists are devising strategies to deal with the asteroids that periodically threaten our planet.

Zombie Ants

October 2009
Zombie people are make-believe. But zombie ants are real! A kind of fungus infects a kind of ant and controls its actions, forcing the ant to climb to a certain height and clamp down on a leaf, where the ant stays until... (Read on for the conclusion.)

Fixing the Hubble Space Telescope

September 2009
How do you fix a telescope that's flying 350 miles up in space? Call the space shuttle astronauts! Repairs to the astronomical workhorse will let scientists and the public enjoy Hubble's incredible space images for a while longer.

The Cloak of Invisibility

June 2009
How amazing would it be to become invisible at will? Scientists recently created a material that bends light around objects inside it, making them invisible. Just think what you could do with a real invisibility cloak!

Year of Science 2009

May 2009
The year 2009 was big for science. It was the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescope, with which the astronomer discovered that other planets have moons, and it was the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. Communities around the world celebrated science's innumerable contributions to our lives.

Animals and Tools

April 2009
Scientists used to think that people were unique among animals because they made and used tools. But recent studies have shown that many other animal species-such as chimpanzees, elephants, and crows-regularly create and use their own tools.

New Species Found in 2009

March 2009
Students might think that every kind of animal has been found and named. But did they know that thousands of animal species are still undiscovered? Every year, researchers find more species new to science, from the tiniest insects to large predators.

Scotch Tape X-Rays

February 2009
Have you ever broken a bone? If so, the doctor may have used an X-ray machine to see the bone and to decide how best to fix it. X-rays are a kind of invisible light that can pass through the body. But did you know that unrolling sticky tape can also create X-rays?

Flying Windmills!

January 2009
Have you ever been told to go fly a kite? By harnessing high-altitude winds with flying windmills connected to Earth by cables, researchers hope to produce cheap, renewable energy and revolutionize the wind power industry.

2008

A Smashing Success? The Large Hadron Collider

December 2008
How often do you get to break stuff on purpose, and not get yelled at? Scientists in Switzerland constructed a particle collider, which will allow them to smash tiny particles together at really high speeds. They hope to learn more about the tiny bits that make up all matter.

Sea Rockets: A Plant Family Feud

November 2008
People have long wondered whether plants can sense animals and neighboring plants. Now, scientists have found that a small, flowering plant, the sea rocket, will share nutrients with closely related plants, but not with strangers.

Is There Life on Mars?

October 2008
For as long as people have looked up to the night sky, we have wondered whether there was life anywhere but on Earth. In 2008, the Phoenix Lander arrived on Mars, hoping to dig up evidence of life, past or present.

Student Robotics Competition

September 2008
Artificially intelligent beings, known as robots, continue to intrigue humans. Some young scientists even squared off in an international competition to design a robot that would help meet the world's energy needs.

Are We Alone? Methane Provides Clues

July 2008
A new report shows that there may be life on planets outside our solar system. Where there's methane, there may be life!

Chameleons Communicate in Color

June 2008
New discoveries reveal that chameleons change color for many reasons.

Dinosaur Mummies

April 2008
A student's discovery of a fully mummified dinosaur is changing how scientists think about dinosaurs worldwide.

Humans Attacking Sharks

February 2008
You read that right. We're talking about people attacking sharks. Discover why sharks should fear humans.

Bee Mystery

January 2008
Bees are disappearing! No one knows why. Find out more about the danger facing honey bees.