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

Bricks from Mushrooms and Plastic?

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

Past Issues

2021

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!