by Edwin Torres, age 14
Recent scientific research has reimagined the appearance of the Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex), moving away from the classic scaly, snarl-toothed image.
New findings suggest that the T. rex likely possessed soft, fleshy lips that covered rather than exposed its crocodile-like teeth. Other studies had suggested a feathered appearance. [Read More]
by Carley Baker, age 14
Amelia Earhart accomplished something that men could not achieve. She was a national heroine because she was the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by plane. She even made solo trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights. [Read More]
by Dulce Vazquez, age 18
In 2017, human footprints were identified in a lakebed region of northern Saudi Arabia. Seven discrete footprints were spotted and identified as hominin.
Over 115,000 years ago, footprints were left behind by unknown individuals (humans) and prehistoric animals. Similar human footprints were found in other states. A special type of mud called ancient mud has helped observe non-hominin mammal tracks as it captures these footprints and preserves them for years to come.
In their research, scientists have identified a few factors that led to prehistoric human travel. No tool marks, knives, or animal bones used for hunting were found. When both human and animal footprints were found, scientists believe that humans and animals gathered together for sources, such as food and water. Homo sapiens (early humans) likely prioritized access to portable water over hunting. [Read More]
by Bridgett McPark, age 13
A designated natural area in Florida is helping protect Florida panthers, an apex predator that is almost extinct.
Historically, Florida panthers ranged in the southeastern United States, but because of modern development like habitat fragmentation and increased infrastructure, it badly affected their habitat. As a result, panthers became isolated and are deeply endangered. The key to survival for Florida panthers is room to roam. [Read More]
by Oliver Zink, age 15
Ski resorts in Colorado are wrapping up one of the worst ski seasons that anyone can remember due to historically low snowfall. The most obvious effects are slushy skiing and barren hills, and officials are very concerned about the wildfire risk.
The American West is experiencing a historic snow drought. The snowpack has been the lowest ever recorded going back 40 years. Jennifer Morse, a scientist at the University of Colorado, studies snow and lives in the town of Nederland, Colorado. In the past 20 years she has lived there, she has never seen so little snow. [Read More]
by Brooklyn Miller, age 12
Pumas are elusive wild cats, who can easily adapt to a variety of different climates, ecosystems, and prey. While these pumas are located in Patagonia, a region found in South America, pumas can be found generally around South America. However, the behavior of these Patagonian pumas seemed unusual, leading the scientists to conduct further research. [Read More]
by Ermiyas Abiy, age 10
Lalibela, a town known among Ethiopians, is located in the mountainous terrains of the heart of Ethiopia. It is 645 kilometers from its capital, Addis Ababa, where 11 churches were carved by hand into a monolithic rock. One of the churches, Biete Giyorgis (House of Saint George), was famously carved in the shape of a cross. [Read More]
by Will DeFour, age 15
The University of Wisconsin–Madison's Science Hall is set to undergo a $163 million renovation next winter.
Built almost 140 years ago, Science Hall includes a five-story tower, arched windows, and a castle-like shape, all in stone and red brick architecture. It is currently home to the State Cartographer’s Office, UW’s Department of Geography, and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Science Hall holds the oldest lecture hall still in use on campus. The building and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. [Read More]
by Ruben Becerril, age 13
Recently, a large military fortress was uncovered in the Sinai Desert, near the town of Sheikh Zuweid in Egypt.
The fortress included defensive towers and traces of ancient ovens. Its thick curving walls were constructed around 3,500 years ago, likely during Pharaoh Thutmose I’s reign. It spans about 8,600 square feet, making it among the largest defensive structures ever discovered in eastern Egypt. Studies show the fortress went through several phases of repair and redesign. The southern wall of the structure is almost 350 feet long and eight feet thick. [Read More]
by Abigail Gezae, age 13
Beavers are interesting animals and very useful; they have saved the Czech Republic taxpayers a lot of money.
The Czech Republic wanted to build a dam to protect the Klabava River south of Prague. The dam site was formerly used as a military training ground. This project had been delayed for years. Then, beavers in the area started working on the dam themselves before Czech officials had a chance. [Read More]
by Theodore Morrison, age 18
Bald eagles, perhaps the most significant symbol of the United States, have had a resurgence in Wisconsin, with numbers reaching a modern state record.
Within the 20th century, the population of bald eagles dropped to less than 1,000 in the whole U.S., devastated by hunting, use of chemicals, and poisoning, reaching record lows in Wisconsin within the 1970s. For purposes of preservation, the Endangered Species Act was passed in the 1970s as federal law, and the ban of a particularly harmful chemical, DDT, was enacted in the state of Wisconsin. [Read More]
by Lincoln Roos, age 12
Most people have probably heard of a megalodon. If you have not, a megalodon is an extinct shark and was the apex predator of its time. Megalodons roamed the ocean about 3.6 million years ago. The megalodon’s appearance was that of a massive shark with an elongated and slender body. It had large pectoral fins and was as long as two school buses, weighing about 203,000 pounds. [Read More]
by Ayelen Flores, age 15
Groundswell Conservancy is an organization dedicated to creating more green places in Wisconsin. This is an anticipated mission given that climate change is affecting animals, people, and land.
Groundswell Conservancy was founded in 1983 as the Dane County Natural Heritage Foundation; however, its name was changed in 2017 to reflect its efforts to create more green spaces. The organization has thrived for over 40 years, operating in Dane County and the surrounding areas of south central Wisconsin. They currently have a total of 157 projects ranging from wildlife habitat restoration to equitable access to open space. Much of the land the group has protected is open to the public for recreation and in some cases, hunting. [Read More]
by Will DeFour, age 16
Fifty years ago, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank on its way from Superior, Wisconsin to Detroit, Michigan. It remains the largest shipwreck on the Great Lakes.
A “maximum-sized” Great Lakes ore carrier, at 729 feet, named after the chairman of the Milwaukee-based company that contracted it, the Edmund Fitzgerald launched on August 7, 1957. It was the largest ship on the Great Lakes until 1971. The Fitzgerald spent its career on the Great Lakes carrying small iron pellets called taconite from mines near Duluth, Minnesota, to steel mills near Detroit. [Read More]
by Daniel Li, age 17
Few details about Wisconsin’s past have caused as much confusion or speculation as the origin and meaning of its name. Folklore and rumors have persisted for centuries. But it wasn't until recently that the source of the name was discovered.
In short, the name 'Wisconsin' is the English spelling of a French typo of an explorer's interpretation of a phrase from the Miami Native American tribe, which describes the Wisconsin River and its surrounding landscapes. But like the river itself, the word had a long and winding journey to reach its final form. [Read More]
by Tajha Holthaus, age 10
The transcontinental railroad was built in the 19th century to transport people from Sacramento to Omaha.
The railroad took about six years to build. The railroad construction was disrupted due to the Civil War. Afterwards, railroad companies did not find enough workers, so they recruited Chinese and Irish immigrant soldiers to work for them. Most of the transcontinental railroad is still being used today. [Read More]
by Dayanara Flores, age 17
A group of scientists has discovered an ancient human species while digging for fossils in East Asia. This newly discovered species is called ‘Homo juluensis.’
The species name Homo juluensis, meaning ‘big head,’ was chosen due to the notably large skulls of this hominin. [Read More]
by Elim Eyobed, age 14
Imagine stalking mammoths across frozen tundras. This is how the Clovis people survived the Ice Age, hunting mammoths, bison, and other animals to thrive in a harsh, frozen world.
The Clovis people who originated in Siberia and crossed the Bering Land Bridge to the Americas during the last Ice Age. Clovis is a term used to represent a whole culture known primarily for their stone tools, one of which was a weapon called the Clovis Point. This culture hunted large animals such as mammoths, but they also consumed other creatures such as bison and small animals. Research shows that they had an average of 12,800 calories per day, consisting of 21% bison and 79% mammoths and other small to medium animals. [Read More]
by Dulce Vazquez, age 16
The sheep leaf sea slug was discovered on Kurashima Island, in Japan, back in 1993. It can also be found in the marine environments of the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. It has a unique feature only found in a few other animals.
Sea slugs have many small features. They can be a variety of different colors, including yellow, red, blue, green, white, and purple. Sheep leaf sea slugs typically have white faces with black eyes. A unique feature they have is their two rhinophores that look like ears. Rhinophores are organs that help find food and detect chemicals in water, such as algae. These slugs have green cerata (leaf-like appendages) around their upper bodies, which are used to help with respiration and defense. [Read More]
by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9
When you think of mummies, you probably picture an Egyptian pharaoh wrapped in strips of cloth. It might surprise you to learn that the world’s oldest mummies are actually thousands of years older and found thousands of miles away.
The Chinchorro mummies of modern-day Chile were preserved more than 7,000 years ago, and are still being found to this day. The Chinchorro people began mummifying and preparing the dead for the afterlife in a harsh environment, with the driest place in the world located in Northern Chile or the Pacific coast of South America. [Read More]
by Kaleab Afeworki, age, 13
Dr. Dan McCammon is a real-life rocket scientist. He studies x-rays, launches sensors into space, and somehow still finds the time to open the doors of his lab to students with an interest in science.
That’s how a group of students from Simpson Street Free Press got an up-close look at Dr. McCammon’s work. Each year, during the UW-Madison’s annual Physics Fair, Simpson Street reporters visit his lab. This year, several of us sat down with him afterwards for an interview.
A physics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. McCammon is known for his research on x-ray astronomy through his X-ray Astrophysics Group laboratory. He uses his expertise and research experience to help undergraduate students find their way in the field of physics and build their careers. [Read More]
by Edwin Torres, age 13
Georgia Totto O’Keeffe is known as one of the most famous and remarkable artists of the 20th century. Throughout her life, O’Keeffe explored various artistic styles.
O’Keeffe was born on November 15, 1887, on a farm near Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She was the second of seven children. O’Keeffe and her sisters took art lessons with a local watercolor painter. In 1905, when O’Keeffe graduated from high school, she already had plans of being an artist. She studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago, but her studies were interrupted when she fell ill from typhoid fever. [Read More]
by John Agbo, age 14
The Aztecs and Mayans shared numerous mythological figures. For instance, both cultures worshipped a feathered serpent as a central mediator between the heavens and the earth. The Mayans recognized Kukulkan as the god of cycles, encompassing life and death, while the Aztecs viewed Quetzalcoatl as a cosmic entity who ruled over the sun during one of the five eras, or “suns,” in their creation story. [Read More]
by Mahalia Pearson, age 13
Jacques Marquette was an explorer in the mid-1600s. Marquette was born in Loan France, on June 1, 1637. At the age of 17 he joined the Society of Jesus.
Marquette studied and taught at a Jesuit college 12 years before he was assigned to a mission. In 1666, Marquette was assigned to be a missionary to the Americas. He made his first stop in Quebec, Canada. During the time Marquette was in Canada, he learned six different Native American dialects. In 1668 he was sent on more missions deeper into the western Great Lakes region.
Marquette had a friend named Louis Joliet. Joliet was a French-Canadian explorer and fur trader. Marquette and his friend were chosen to lead an expedition to explore where the Mississippi River ended. For this expedition the two friends were given five men and two canoes. The Native Americans called the river “Messipi”, which means, “The Great Water.” [Read More]
by Siheon Park, age 12
Prescribed fires are controlled by the local government in a predetermined area, intended to restore balance to natural communities.
There are several benefits to prescribed fires as they stimulate plant growth, create pockets of water, increase biodiversity, and enrich the soil. Without these burns, organic matter builds up, making the soil worse and putting forests at risk of more intense wildfires. For thousands of years, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians used fire to support species of plants and animals, including those in Wisconsin which have adapted well to fire. In the 20th century, cultural burning was paused due to government efforts to suppress all fires. Over the past few decades, however, cultural burning has become more widely accepted. [Read More]
by Kevin Chen, age 17
Black holes are among the most mysterious objects in the universe, pulling in everything that goes near them. But what if there were cosmic objects that did the exact opposite– expelling matter instead of capturing it? The concept of white holes emerges from the same set of equations that describe black holes, yet they remain purely theoretical. While nothing can escape a black hole, nothing could enter a white hole. Some physicists believe white holes might exist, while others argue they are not possible.
They were first proposed as a solution to Einstein's general relativity equations by physicist Karl Schwarzschild in 1916, just a year after Einstein’s theory was published. Schwarzschild’s calculations describe black holes as completely collapsed objects, but since general relativity does not dictate a fixed direction for time, the equations also allowed for a similar object – a white hole. [Read More]
By Camila Cruz, age 17
Earlier this year, the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum announced the finding of a brand new species of dinosaur – one that lived 10 million years earlier than when researchers thought the oldest dinosaurs roamed in North America.
The team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, co-led by Dr. David Lovelace and graduate student Aaron Kufner, discovered an ankle bone in a Wyoming excavation back in 2013. The bone belonged to a dinosaur the team later named Ahvaytum bahndooiveche. Their findings over the past 12 years were published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society on Jan. 8, 2025.
When dinosaurs emerged has always been a subject of scientific debate. The announcement of this new dinosaur species makes scientists question their understanding of prehistoric life. [Read More]
by Sandy Flores, age 18
The Wisconsin Historical Society recently published the latest edition of Voices & Votes: How Government Works in Wisconsin. This book is aimed at younger readers in grades 3-5, introducing children to the fundamental concepts of voting, democratic society, and the importance of civic engagement – even for those who are not yet eligible to vote.
The book has seven chapters, each offering a lesson about Wisconsin’s government and the broader national political system. Topics include the different levels of government, the history of voting in Wisconsin, and the relationships between state, tribal, and federal governments. [Read More]
by Joseph Zheng, age 10
In Wisconsin, mallard ducks are very common, especially near water. They are so common that the “Madison Mallards” is the name of a Wisconsin baseball team.
Mallards might plant nests in your roof, flowerpot, or chimney. Be cautious and prepared whenever they come and make a home out of your belongings. [Read More]
by Jacob Dunn, age 15
The Lewis Nine Springs E-Way is a natural area located in Madison, Fitchburg and the surrounding area. It is Wisconsin’s first E-Way.
An E-Way is a protected corridor that connects nature to the urban areas around it. Nine Springs E-Way provides opportunities for environmental education, exercise, and outdoor recreation. This E-Way, an ecological conservation area, is crucial for local wildlife and is open to public.
These thriving environmental habitats stretch from around Lake Waubesa to the Dunn's Marsh area and include parts of urban Madison. The Lewis Nine Springs E-Way was developed to preserve natural ecosystems within and around the urban areas of Dane County. [Read More]
by Owen Ayite Atayi, age 18
Antarctica is Earth's coldest and driest continent and is 98% covered by sheets of ice, containing 70% of the planet’s fresh water. Although it holds most of the fresh water on Earth, there are giant hidden basins beneath East Antarctica which have not been investigated. [Read More]
by Celestia McPark, age 8
Woodpeckers come in vivid colors and look like a bird with two toes pointed. The tail feather helps balance when pecking. Woodpeckers are colorful birds that live all across North America, and they might even live in your backyard. [Read More]
by Theodore Morrison, age 18
The Endurance was hailed to be the “strongest polar ship of its time.” The negligence of its captain, as well as design flaws, unfortunately led to the sinking of the virgin ship. Beginning in January 1914, the expedition was intended to span the Antarctic continent for the first time in human history. [Read More]
by Gerard Sanchez Ramirez, age 11
Cleopatra's tomb has remained undiscovered for over 2,000 years. Explorer Kathleen Martinez, has become close to cracking the mystery. She suspects that Cleopatra's tomb is a sunken port. [Read More]
by Ayelen Flores, age 16
To protect young children from online harm, Malaysia is limiting access to social media for children under 16 years old in 2026. All over the world social media has increased the risks of cyberbullying, exploitation of children, and various scams according to the communication minister, Fahani Fadzil. [Read More]
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by Yemariam Bekele, age 10
Did you know arctic foxes are the only foxes that change colors every season? This keeps the arctic fox from overheating and freezing to death. During the summer, they turn blueish grey and turn white over the winter. [Read More]
by Evelyn Jakubczak, age 13
Taherah Mafi’s Shatter Me series has 11 dystopian themed books with plenty of twists and turns that make you gasp in your seat. The main female protagonist faces many challenges, and must find people to trust in order to overcome these challenges. Will she be able to keep her new friends safe while the world is falling apart? [Read More]
by Niko Sayu, age 12
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is an iconic landmass about 2,000 miles off the South Pacific coast of Chile, and is widely known for its massive ancient Moai statues. Scientists and researchers thought they had logged every statue on the island, but another has now been discovered in an unexpected place. [Read More]
by Thea Kaufman, age 10
The Great Depression started in 1929 and ended with the onset of World War II in 1939. The Great Depression was a 12-year period in history marked by mass unemployment, poverty, and the stock market crash. [Read More]
by Dessa Sayu, age 7
Bees are fascinating insects that are essential to our ecosystem. They help with pollination. Bees make honey by passing the nectar from mouth to mouth until the sugar breaks down into honey. There are three main types of bees: bumblebees, stingless bees, and honeybees. [Read More]
by Sofia Zapata, age 16
The number of known moons of planet Uranus recently increased to 29. A moon orbiting Uranus was found by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) during an observation with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. [Read More]
by Ruben Becerril, age 13
Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general known for fighting against Rome in the Second Punic War. He is considered one of the greatest generals, as well as the first general to cross the Alps with a full army. [Read More]
by Oliver Zink, age 14
A volcano 300 miles off the coast of Oregon is nearing eruption, and no one may realize when it is happening. Scientists at the University of Washington have used a network of sensors on the seafloor to monitor the volcano. In late March and April, sensors detected more than 1,000 earthquakes every day. The volcano is slowly swelling, a sign that it is filling with molten rock. Scientists estimate that it will erupt between now and the end of the year. [Read More]
by Delia Moreno, age 7
Flowers have adapted in many unique ways to attract pollinators. Some of these characteristics include landing platforms for insects, brightly colored petals, and leaves or structures with special shapes to make sure insects are covered in pollen. [Read More]
by Layla Calahan, age 12
Sea turtles are very important to ocean ecosystems, and they have lived for 100 million years. Unfortunately, some species of sea turtles are critically endangered. [Read More]
by Ayelen Flores, age 15
Since Madison experienced large floods in 2018, city leaders have been searching for a solution. They’ve landed on the Pheasant Branch Project, a series of improvements to solve the flooding events on the far west side of Madison. Engineers and planners have put immense work into the project, and construction is just beginning. [Read More]
by Sessina Zerezghi, age 8
Lilac Breasted roller, also known scientifically as Coracias Caudatus, was given its name in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish scientist. [Read More]
by Layla Calahan, age 12
In Giza, the Great Pyramid stands on the edge of the Egyptian desert, west of the Nile River. In the 26th century BC, when the Great Pyramid was built, it was believed it was for Pharaoh Khufu. In the 4th Dynasty, other kings built their own pyramids near the Great Pyramid. The three pyramids form the world’s best-known buildings. [Read More]
by Will DeFour, age 15
As invasive mussels devastate the Great Lakes, scientists are looking into new ways to combat the threat and protect important parts of the local ecosystem, such as spawning grounds for native fish. [Read More]
by Lincoln Roos, age 12
An unusual creature thrives in the deserts of Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, this amazing creature is called the Arabian Sand Boa. Its name represents where it is from and the way it makes burrows deep in the sand. Being a nocturnal creature this snake hunts from dusk to dawn. [Read More]
by Theodore Morrison, age 17
“It was a pleasure to burn.” This is the opening line of the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In this world, the main character lives in a dystopian society where firefighters start the fires, not put them out. It is these worlds that the Madison Public Library brings to our community by circulating all kinds of books, ranging from steamy romances to horror & suspense, and everything in between. These books empower Madisonians to access new worlds and challenge everyone to appreciate newer and more unique perspectives. These are the things we are celebrating - access to these amazing stories - as we honor the Madison Public Library’s 150-year legacy. [Read More]
Rotary Volunteers helped us with a writing workshop on a recent Saturday. Volunteers helped our kids produce a special issue focused on science and history.
by Will DeFour, age 15
A close relative of the highly invasive zebra mussel, known as the quagga mussel, has spread across the Great Lakes, removed valuable nutrients from the water, and even begun moving into smaller lakes across Wisconsin. [Read More]
by Oliver Zink, age 14
On September 30, 1898, the schooner Margaret A. Muir sank a few miles from the entrance to Algom Harbor on Wisconsin's Lake Michigan coast in 50 feet of water during a fierce gale. [Read More]
by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9
This creature glides through the night sky but it's not a bat or owl. It is often mistaken for a flying squirrel. It's the sugar glider, a fascinating animal with a sweet tooth! [Read More]
by Ayelen Flores, age 15
It is not often that a war movie tells the stories of the unsung, behind-the-scenes heroes who make our military function. “The Six Triple Eight” does exactly that. “The Six Triple Eight” is a new movie about hidden struggles during WWII. It premiered on December 20th, 2024. It is based on true events and is available for streaming on Netflix. [Read More]
by Edwin Torres, age 13
The Cordillera Blanca mountain range in Peru is one of the tallest and largest in the Andes. This region is recognized for its harsh climate and high peaks, including Mount Huascarán. [Read More]
by Kevin Chen, age 16
Who would’ve guessed that you can find a 13,000-year-old giant beaver skull right here in Madison? It is among the 750,000 different species of animals in the UW-Madison Zoological Museum. [Read More]
by John Agbo, age 14
Archaeologists have discovered intriguing evidence regarding hunting civilizations from 13,000 years ago during the Ice Age. The discovery showcased the hunting techniques of the Clovis people, offering a captivating glimpse into their resourceful ways of survival. Early humans, known as hominids, often hunted large prey like mammoths by surrounding them and attacking them with spears. However, research indicates this method was inefficient, as even a powerful thrust with a spear would likely only pierce a mammoth’s thick skin superficially. [Read More]
by Daniel Li, age 17
Wisconsin’s school report card system is difficult for the public to understand. A recent study conducted by Arizona State University was highlighted in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and revealed that parents and the general public often struggle to access clear information about how students and schools are performing. Without this information, it's hard for parents to properly judge how well their child has performed in school. [Read More]
by Iliyan Hoskins, age 11
On Sept. 24, 2023, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft delivered an important package that NASA had been anticipating for seven years. [Read More]
by Lina Al Quraishi, age 10
Spanning one of the largest and safest harbors in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7 miles long and has been in use for 87 years. The Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27th, 1937, linking San Francisco with Marin County, California. The bright red color of the bridge, known as "International Orange," allows for easy visibility even during foggy or rainy weather. [Read More]
by Malak Alquraishi, age 13
A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas. There are several different types of nebulae, and they are an essential part of the interstellar medium—the space between stars. Nebulae are among the most spectacular sights in astronomy. [Read More]
by Edwin Torres, age 13
Corn is an ancient grain with an interesting history that most people have not heard about. Originating in Mesoamerica, specifically Mexico, corn is now widely enjoyed and produced across the world. However, only 40 percent of corn that is grown is consumed by people, while the remaining 60 percent is used as animal feed. [Read More]