A History of the Irish Home Rule Movement

by Kai Palreddy-Lowe, age 11

Over a century ago, there was conflict and violence between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland over whether Ireland should gain independence. There were many crises and wars around the world during the 1910s and 1920s, and debate stirred in Britain on whether the Irish should rule themselves.

While the conflict in Ireland came very close to a civil war, two bills supporting Irish independence were rejected until a third was passed in 1912, but it was prevented from coming to power by the outbreak of World War 1. Even during World War 1, those who wanted independence continued to campaign for Ireland's freedom despite the harsh conditions of war.

The conflict between the north and south of Ireland goes all the way back to the 16th century. The conflict started when British monarchs planted Protestant Scottish and English people on lands previously owned by Irish Catholics to increase loyalty to the British crown. From then on, the conflict grew until Easter Monday in 1916, when around 1,600 protestors, led by activists Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, rose in rebellion against British rule. After the recently created Irish government declared Ireland’s independence, there were three years of war between the Irish Republican Army, led by Michael Collins, and the Royal Irish Constabulary, which was supported by the British. [Read More]

You Can Make a Virtual Visit to a Real Wisconsin Park Thanks to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin

by Esmé Zink, age 11

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, a non-profit organization, started a project named Virtual Tours of Nature, also known as Virtual Field Trips.

A Virtual Field Trip speaks for itself, it is a tour you can watch through your phone or any device. In the videos you can see clips of different locations, while highlighting places that stand out. The first part of the videos can take up to one minute, while the second part can take up to 20 minutes. During the videos, individuals can take notes and describe the images that are displayed.

Virtual Field Trips were developed as a way to protect the park's waters, wildlife and lands while still allowing people to experience them. It also helps viewers gain a deeper understanding of nature and the work that is needed to prevent extinction. [Read More]

Fifteen Years After Launch, the Juno Space Probe Discovers Jupiter Is Smaller than We Thought

by Oliver Zink, age 15

In 2011, NASA launched the Juno spacecraft to expand our knowledge of Jupiter. The information gathered has helped scientists develop new theories about the gas giant's atmospheric patterns.

The observations of the planet show that it is smaller and flatter than previously thought. Radio data from the spacecraft was used to refine measurements of the planet. The original measurement is from flybys that could not provide as much information. The difference between the old and new measurements is minuscule, but because Jupiter is so large, these measurements have a significant impact on theories. The updated size of Jupiter helps scientists understand the planet's interior and the events happening on and in Jupiter. The more knowledge we have of one gas giant, the more scientists can have a better understanding of other gas giants, even ones located outside of our solar system.

According to NASA, the planet's equator is around five miles narrower, and the poles are 15 miles flatter than initially theorized. The Juno mission is also investigating Jupiter to understand its origins and development by examining the planet's gravity and magnetic fields. The mission will also help explain Jupiter's auroras and the vivid swirling clouds that shape its atmosphere and patterns. [Read More]

Malaysia Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16

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.

Starting in January, Malaysia began requiring social media and messaging platforms with over 8 million users to acquire a license that increases state oversight over large platforms. To become licensed, platforms are required to implement age verification, content safety measures, and transparency rules. These licenses reflect Malaysia’s shift to a safer digital space.

Malaysia is not the only country moving toward stricter social media regulations. Australia and other countries have made efforts to implement digital age limits. Australia’s measures regarding social media have been examined by other countries that also share concerns about the impact social media has on young children. [Read More]

Why Are Pumas Hunting Penguins in Patagonia?

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.

The Patagonian pumas used to be native animals until they were forced out by sheep ranchers in the 20th century. In the pumas’ absence, animals had adapted to the new reduced hunting pressure, specifically a group of Magellanic penguins who, in normal conditions, were usually confined to offshore islands, had established a mainland breeding colony with roughly 40,000 breeding pairs. However, after Monte Leon National Park was established in 2004, the pumas had already started to steadily make their way back. That is when researchers started noticing penguin remains in the pumas’ waste. Researchers dismissively thought it was only a few pumas continuing to eat the penguins, until they noticed that there were many puma sightings near the penguin colony.

The issue is that these pumas, usually solitary cats, had changed their behavior. They were living closer together, tolerating each other more, and having far more social interactions. The pumas mainly hunted these penguins as they were easy prey in breeding season, and even more so with their widening range. The fact that the penguins had only moved offshore when it was breeding season may suggest that the pumas’ descendants had hunted those penguins, so why have their interactions changed now? [Read More]

Rally Madison FC: Madison's Newest Soccer Team

by Brooklynn Miller, age 12

“Rally Madison FC.” is the name of Madison’s very own women’s pre-professional soccer team. The team was started just a few months ago and recently played their first game. Both the team name and logo are inspired by the Woman’s Suffrage Movement throughout Wisconsin and the United States in the 1900s.

Rally Madison FC director of retail, Alyssa Bruce, described the name as a pledge to inspire and enliven women's soccer in Madison. She also stated that she strongly believed in creating an uplifting, inclusive, and passionate fanbase that shows up for every match to support the team.

A fun fact about Wisconsin, is that along with heavy support of the Women’s Suffrage Movement, it was also the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment on June 10, 1919. Rally Madison FC acts as a pioneer for women in the state, both in name and in the capital city’s first USL W League team. [Read More]

From Rockabilly to Jimi Hendrix: The Evolution of Rock'n'Roll

by Jordan Bufford, age 13

By the late 20th century, rock music had influenced artists and has proven to be one of the best music genres of all time. Although rock has had its tough moments and slight downfalls, it still continues to be one of the most recognized genres throughout the world.

During the early days of modern music, in the 1950s, rock started out as a subgenre called rockabilly. Rockabilly was more R&B and soul than the rock that we hear today. While there were many Black rock artists at the time, rising white artists started to steal the shine. Artists like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley & His Comets, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers had gained more popularity than Black artists like Little Richard, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, and James Brown. The Black artists, some say, are the most important artists in rock history.

However, one white artist who was discovered at a recording studio that was mainly popular among Black artists, was Elvis Presley, with his very first song "That's All Right”. Elvis began to take most of the fame away from Black singers, but he helped them by giving credit for the Black artists’ talent. A Black singer, Little Richard, claimed that Presley opened the door for many Black artists by his frequent cover of songs written by people of color, making rock music more diverse. [Read More]

Pollinators Are Essential for the Environment

by Jordan Bufford, age 13

A pollinator is an insect or small animal that helps move one part of a flower to another. Fertilizing a plant helps make seeds, fruits, and new plants. Some plants can even pollinate themselves by using wind and water to transfer pollen grains through one part of the flower to the other.

Pollinators add $217 billion to the global economy. Honey bees play a big role themselves, being responsible for more than $20 billion of crop production globally. Pollinators altogether are more important than we think. Almost 75% of plants on Earth are pollinated by insects and animals. This also comes out as 1,200 food crops and 180,000 plants that help stabilize our soil, clean our air, give us oxygen, and support wildlife. Honey bees contribute between $1.2 and $5.4 billion $20 billion in the U.S.

Although pollinators have been beneficial over the years, their populations have decreased due to pollution. Pollution and changes in climate patterns shift and shrink the pollinator populations. [Read More]

Book Review: Warriors: Into the Wild

By Brooklynn Miller, age 12

The book Warriors: Into the Wild, written by Erin Hunter, follows a housecat named Rusty, who joins ThunderClan, a group of four cat clans who fight over territory and prey. It is part of the Warrors series of books.

In the series, each cat gets a prefix to their name, depending on their features or personalities, and they get a suffix based on age. If they are a kit, they get the suffix “kit,” if they are an apprentice, they get the suffix “paw,” if they’re a warrior its based on features or personalities, and if they’re a clan leader, they get the suffix “star,” along with nine lives granted from StarClan. StarClan are cats who have died and live in the sky and stars, watching over the clans and guiding them with prophecies when in turmoil. [Read More]

How Nintendo Became a Video Game Juggernaut

by Leo Wilson, age 12

Nintendo is mainly known as a video game company but when the company started, video games were almost one hundred years in the future. Nintendo was founded in 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, who created a handmade playing card game called "Hanafuda." But the company decided to stop selling cards in the 1960s when profits slowed due to the game's association with crime and gambling.

In 1960, Nintendo was flipped on its head at the direction of its then current CEO Hiroshi Yamauchi, the great grandson of Fusajiro Yamauchi. Hiroshi wanted to make Nintendo more than just a card company, he wanted to enter the growing video game arcade business. Even though, strangely enough, Hiroshi never liked playing video games. [Read More]

For 40 Years, Women in Focus Provides College Scholarships for Local Young People

by Moore Vang, age 16

Another historic milestone is approaching for Women in Focus, Inc. as they celebrate their 40th annual “I Have a Dream” Ball early next year.

For 40 years, Women in Focus has developed and sustained an organization dedicated to helping young people pursue higher education. They provide scholarships to local high school and college students of color. Dozens of donor-backed scholarships are awarded each year to help local students thrive as they chase their goals.

The founders of the organization made this possible through vision and hard work. Verona Morgan, one of the original co-founders, helped steer the development of Women in Focus in its early stages in the 1980s. Morgan, along with eight other women, came together to help young people in their community. [Read More]

Mary Fields Was the First Black Woman Mail Carrier

by Aubrey Bevenue, age 14

Stagecoach Mary Fields was a complex woman with many contrasts, hardships, and successes. She stood six feet tall and was strong, so many people made sure to stay away from her. She drank, smoked, carried a gun, and had a wild temper. Mary was the first African American woman to carry mail as a Star Route Contractor (SRC) for the United States.

Mary Fields’ birthday is unknown, but we do know that she was born into slavery between 1832 and 1833. Leading up to the Civil War, she worked for the Warner family in West Virginia before she was emancipated in 1863. Later, she moved from West Virginia to the Mississippi River and worked on steamboats.

Mary Fields ended up in Toledo, Ohio, where she began working at the Ursuline Convent of the Sacred Heart. While there, she washed laundry, bought supplies, managed the kitchens, and grew and maintained garden grounds. Mary was known to yell and lose her temper with anyone who stepped on her freshly cut grass. What is known is that Mary’s rough style was not the best fit for the serene calm that was the convent. [Read More]

Stephen Hawking’s Brilliant Life Despite the Odds

by Nae McNeail, age

Professor Stephen Hawking unfortunately passed away at the age of 76 in 2018. He was amazing in his academics and an outstanding mathematician before he passed.

Hawking was a hard-working, active man before he was diagnosed at age 21 with motor-neurone disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, from which he suffered for almost all of his adult life.

Stephen met his first wife, Jane, a few years before he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Jane and Stephen would have fallen in love with or without his disease. [Read More]

Engineers Build Air Powered Robot for Hazardous Exploration

by Niko Sayu, age 11

A team of mechanical engineers from the University of California, San Diego, has just created a robot that runs on air. It is made from a singular 3D printed piece. The fact that it can be printed cheaply and easily makes it advantageous in exploring dangerous places like Chernobyl or small mountain caves.

The team is led by engineer Yichen Zhai, who, along with a team of colleagues, created a machine that may revolutionize the exploration of hazardous environments forever. The robot is a six-legged crawler made from a type of flexible plastic used in hoses and shoe soles. It can be 3D printed in one piece, yet it is soft, sturdy, and durable. The robot took two and a half days for the engineers to print. Its flexibility and sturdiness, as well as the fact that it can be printed in almost any size, would make it an incredibly useful tool for any work on flooded or dangerous sites. Its electronics-free design can be helpful in places where flammable objects could be at risk as well.

The robot waddles with three of its legs at a time to avoid tipping over. It uses a can of pressurized air that flows in tubes and through chambers to power its “limbs ”so it can waddle. The crawler moves at a slow 1.6 inches (four centimeters) per second, which is faster than a snail, but still not quite as fast as a turtle. [Read More]

The Mystery of Brain Fog and How to Beat It

by Niko Sayu, age 11

You’ve probably heard of it — brain fog. It’s often thought of as something that only affects older adults, but that is not the whole story.

Brain fog is a term for a large collection of symptoms that many people experience in their lifetime. For example, you could be working, exercising, or just relaxing, and then you get a strange feeling. You are tired, fatigued, forgetful, and possibly even dizzy. Sound familiar?

It is perfectly reasonable if brain fog is not the first thing that jumps to mind. After all, brain fog has recently been associated with long COVID and the aftereffects of anesthesia. There are many factors that can contribute to brain fog. A common factor is lack of sleep. This happens because sleep loss inhibits proper communication between brain cells. This, in turn, leads to side effects such as fatigue, exhaustion, confusion, and a slow thought process. This can be extremely dangerous depending on the individual’s performed task. Another cause of brain fog is dehydration. Dehydration lowers blood volume and reduces the amount of oxygen and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium in the body. [Read More]

Britannic Served as a Hospital Ship Before Its Tragic Sinking

by Leo Wilson, age 12

The Britannic, originally called the Gigantic, was a ship made by the White Star Line, the same company that made the infamous Titanic. The ship was built in 1914 in the Harland and Wolff shipyard, located in Belfast, England. It was originally going to be an ocean liner, but the British government required it to be turned into a hospital ship due to the start of World War I.

The HMHS (His Majesty’s Hospital Ship) Britannic had many rooms that the crew used to house soldiers. After the Titanic disaster on April 15th, 1912, the White Star Line (passenger liner corporation) was taking no chances with the Britannic, so they increased their watertight compartments to 17 and added many lifeboats.

The Britannic had many differences from its sister ships, the Titanic and the Olympic. The most notable is how the Britannic was turned into a hospital ship. Another difference is that the Britannic sank due to an underwater mine and had six voyages, unlike its sister ship, the Titanic, which tragically made only one voyage. The Britannics' last stop was in Queenstown, Ireland. [Read More]

Endangered Sea Turtles Fill Key Role in Aquatic Ecosystems

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.

Sea turtles support the health of seagrass and coral reefs, which helps important species thrive. While they are important for the environment, they also serve cultural significance for humans. For example, people use sea turtles for religious ceremonies and family traditions.

Sea turtles can grow up to two to six feet long. Many sea turtles species live in different habitats. For example, shallow seabeds in the Indian Ocean, open waters, or on coastlines. A species called Kemp’s Ridley lives mainly off the coastline of Texas, eastern Mexico, and the eastern U.S. seaboard. [Read More]

What Is a Binturong?

by Lincoln Roos, age 12

The binturong is a unique-looking creature that is often described as having the physical aspects of a bear, cat, and monkey.

The binturong lives in the forests of eastern Asia, high up in the trees. It uses its thick, padded tail to climb these trees and hang from them. However, as these creatures age and get heavier, adult binturongs will also need to use their arms to hold on to branches, not solely their tails like young ones. Along with its tail, the binturong also uses its claws to climb and grip trees.

A binturong can come in many colors, including brown, black, white, and silver, as well as having brown on the tips of its fur. Binturongs also have long ear hairs and brown, reddish eyes, which many think gives them a cute appearance. [Read More]

Movie Review: Deadpool & Wolverine

by Leo Wilson, age 12

In the summer of 2024, director Shawn Levy made "Deadpool and Wolverine," starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. It instantly became a hit, and it ended up earning around $1.3 billion at the box office. The movie is available to watch on Disney+. The film is amazing, and it's especially good if you like a blend of action and comedy.

The long-awaited movie starts with our main character, Wade Wilson, also known as Deadpool. He is walking over to the one and only Wolverine's grave. Then Wade digs up his adamantium skeleton and uses it to fight against the TVA (Time Variance Authority). Wade doesn't want to join the TVA because his timeline was going to get destroyed with all of his loved ones that he saved in the previous film, "Deadpool 2."

Wade Wilson had hopes and dreams to become an Avenger, but they were cut short, as he was quickly rejected. [Read More]

Thousands of Years Later, the Great Pyramid Still Stands Strong

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.

A fascinating feature of the Great Pyramid is that it weighs over nearly seven million tons. The Great Pyramid has 2.25 million blocks of limestone, meaning each block weighs over 15.25 tons. The slaves that helped build the Great Pyramid did not have machinery like we have now; they only had their hands and strength. The workers built the pyramid with four nearly perfect right angles on the base forming a square. The pyramid was aligned with a compass meaning each individual four sides faced north, east, south, or west with accuracy.

There are many theories behind why these pyramids were built. Many speculate that these pyramids exist as tombs for pharaohs. There is a theory that the Great Pyramid was built for Pharaoh Khufu in 2589 BC. Years later, his son Khafre had a second pyramid built close to the Great Pyramid for himself. Almost 100 years later Mankaure, who may have been Khafre’s son, becomes a Pharaoh and adds the third and smallest pyramid. Strangely though, when a party broke inside the pyramid in the King’s Chamber, there was a stone coffin with no corpse and no sign of previous disturbance by any robbers. The purpose of these tombs remains a mystery to this day. [Read More]

Yogi Berra’s Story, From D Day to the Yankees

by Oliver Zink, age 14

Yogi Berra was one of the most talented and most influential baseball players and an American icon. He was the child of Italian immigrants, a World War II gunner, a record-holding athlete, and a baseball manager. He had a long, successful life and baseball career that all started with playing baseball in sandlots as a kid.

Yogi was a first-generation Italian American who grew up in a St. Louis neighborhood called “The Hill.” While there, he was surrounded by fellow Italian immigrants, which helped him grow up with a sense of community and Italian traditions.

Yogi's father, Pietro, came to the United States by himself in 1909 from Malvaglio, a northern Italian town near Milan. He temporarily left his wife and two kids in Italy, but eventually settled in St. Louis and had his family follow soon after. While in St. Louis, Pietro had three more children – the second one was Yogi. [Read More]

Is The Queen Mary Haunted?

by Leo Wilson, age 11

The RMS Queen Mary is a ship with a storied past that was built in 1934 by The Cunard-White Star Line, the same company that made the Titanic. It was an elegant and large cruise ship that was permanently docked in 1967, after years of decreased profits, partly due to the rising popularity of air travel. Ghost stories and claims of paranormal activity have given The Queen Mary its reputation as one of the most haunted ships in the world.

In Long Beach, California, where it is docked alone, it has had an estimated 50 million visitors since its first voyage in 1936. Including distinguished guests, such as The Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Winston Churchill. The Queen Mary's life as a cruise ship did not last long, due to it being used to transport thousands of soldiers to the front lines during World War II. Today, The Queen Mary is not only a historical landmark but serves as a hotel and entertainment venue.

The Queen Mary has had a haunted history for a long time. There have been at least 49 recorded deaths on the ship. In 1966 there was a reported ghost sighting from a woman who claimed to have seen a figure of a man standing at the end of her bed in room B340. Room B340 is the most infamous room aboard the Queen Mary. The room has been closed to the public but is currently open for those brave enough to book a stay. [Read More]

New Zealand Switches to Science of Reading Instruction

by Alarice McPark, age 13

New Zealand has mandated a new approach to literacy education to combat years of plummeting reading scores. The approach is called “structured literacy,” and it could provide a model for the U.S. and other countries dealing with similarly low reading scores.

Researchers and professors say New Zealand’s reading crisis stems from relying on the more visual and guess-based whole language approach and not including instruction in phonics or phonemic awareness through structured literacy. Both methods have been used to teach children how to read in English-speaking countries, but have major differences.

The whole language approach was a reading instruction method invented by Dame Marie Clay in New Zealand in the 1970s, and it gained popularity in other countries by the late ‘90s. In this approach, children were taught to use contextual cues, such as the idea of the story, or use pictures to figure out the meaning of a word they didn’t recognize. [Read More]

Pheasant Branch Project Aims to Tame Madison’s Floodwaters

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.

The $8.6 million project started in January of this year. It will include reconstructing a pond, rerouting a sewer and a street, and replanting 200 trees and 370 shrubs to strengthen the ecosystem. It is scheduled to be completed by November 2026 and will lower the 100-year storm flood elevation by four and a half feet. There will also be a larger stormwater channel and a multi-use path with a bridge. The project will enlarge stormwater pipes and channels to grow Madison’s water capacity.

Invasive plants have taken over parts of the watershed, making it harder for water to infiltrate the ground. Deeply rooted native species can infiltrate water better. The purpose of reconstruction is to enhance the waterway’s flood resilience and the preservation of important species. Enabling erosion control with plants will make the ecosystem more stable. [Read More]

The Climb on Mount Denali that Claimed Seven Lives

by Atisse Robbins, age 14

Mount Denali, also known as “The Great One,” is a mountain located in Alaska. It is 20,320 ft tall. The first group reached the summit in 1913.

In 1967, a group of men decided to climb the mountain. A group from Colorado consisting of four members was planning to make the trip; however, before they even made it to the mountain, one of the members got into a car accident, so the group was reduced to only three people. There was another group that planned to climb Mount Denali on the same day as the Colorado group; their group name was the Wilcox expedition. This group consisted of eight members, Joe Wilcox being the leader.

To climb the mountain, you need at least four people. Since the Colorado group had lost a member, park rangers decided that both groups should merge and make the trip up the mountain together. They all agreed, took a picture, grabbed all their gear, and began to climb. With the strenuous climb, some members of the group developed altitude sickness. As a result, some people decided to wait and rest for the day and continue to reach the summit the following day. [Read More]

Marquette and Joliet’s Bold River Expedition in 1673

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]

Sand Boa’s Hunting Skills and Goofy Eyes Go Viral

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.

This animal is carnivorous which means it only eats meat. This boa preyed upon geckos, smaller snakes, and worm lizards. This animal's hunting strategy involves it sleeping in its burrow for the entire day. When the cool air of the night falls, the snake senses a change in the sand’s temperature. Then in turn it goes higher in the sand with those strange eyes peeking out slightly. When prey gets close its head and fangs lunges out lightning fast and drag its prey deep into its burrow. Never to be seen again. This animal is also an egg layer, which is very strange for a boa because only two species of boa lay eggs. After mating this snake can lay up to five eggs.

The Sand Boa is also very interesting due to the placement of its eyes on the top of its head. This is useful when hunting. It also looks very cute in the process but don't let its eyes fool you because this animal has a very strong bite. The Arabian Sand Boa has to have a powerful bite because it has to kill its prey in one swift move or face the consequences of the prey running away, another predator stealing the kill, or another predator eating both it and its prey. Don't worry about the Arabian sand boa hurting you, because they are very friendly towards humans. Some people even keep them as pets. [Read More]

Book Review: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

by Lincoln Roos, age 11

The Wild Robot is a fantastic book by Peter Brown and it is worth your time. One would think, after reading this touching story, that the book deserves to be a bestseller and a movie. Well in fact, it is.

The reason I personally love this book is that it takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster through the eyes of the main character, Roz.

The story begins with a cargo ship full of thousands of robots crashing on a remote island. Most robots were damaged beyond repair except one, Roz, who gets activated by a bunch of curious otters. At first, Roz is confused and must quickly figure out how to survive on the wild island. [Read More]

How the Fifth Amendment Protects the People

by Theodore Morrison, age 17

“We the people of the United States,” is how the United States Constitution begins. One key part the Constitution that protects citizens is the Fifth Amendment.

The Constitution establishes the powers and restrictions of federal and state governments, and through numerous amendments, the unalienable rights intended to establish a free and prosperous society. Among those unalienable rights, the Fifth Amendment immortalizes the rights against self-incrimination, seizure of property without just compensation, the denial of due process, and double jeopardy.

The first part of the clause is the right against double jeopardy, which is the subjugation of a person to the same criminal accusation on multiple occasions. This is central to the idea that the American citizen is entitled to some assurance that they will not be harassed by government overreach. The right guarantees that if the government levies a charge against you and you are found innocent, they cannot charge you again with that same crime. [Read More]

The Life and Legacy of Diego Maradona

by Shalom Harimana, age 15

Within the debate regarding the greatest soccer player of all time, it is guaranteed that Diego Maradona will be brought into the conversation.

Maradona was born on October 30, 1960. He grew up in Villa Fiorito, Argentina, in poverty. However, that did not stop him from achieving his dreams. To name a few of his accomplishments, he played for the Argentina National Team, competed in four World Cups, played for eight clubs, and was named FIFA Player of the Century, a title he shared with Pelé in 2000.

At the age of three, his love for soccer began when he received a ball from his cousin as a birthday present. From then on, it became his constant companion. At eight years old, he tried out for Argentinos Juniors. The coaches were amazed by his talent and initially couldn’t believe his age. After checking his ID, they welcomed him and helped him develop his skills. Although too young to join the senior team, Maradona became a halftime entertainer, performing tricks with a ball and even an orange. He soon gained national attention and appeared on television. [Read More]

White-Nose Syndrome Threatens Bat Populations Across North America

by Aubrey Bevenue, age 13

White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that is killing bats across North America, leading to the endangerment of multiple bat species. This disease was found in New York in 2006 and has spread to most of the U.S. and Canadian Provinces.

The white-nosed syndrome (WNS) is a disease found on bats' noses, which causes them to have difficulties throughout life. It affects the way they hibernate, fly, exchange heat and maintain blood circulation.

Typically, bats hibernate all winter long and do not need to eat during this time. However, with the disease, bats tend to wake up more frequently and may need to consume more food. Bats primarily eat insects, but during winter, these food sources become scarce leading to starvation or unnecessary energy expenditure for hunting. Over time, their fat reserves are used up, which causes them to starve to death before spring. [Read More]

Scientists Say Elephants Have Names for Each Other, Just Like Humans

by Oliver Zink Age, 14

A new study shows elephants have names for each other just like people do. Scientists discovered this by using the sounds that elephants call each other, and the elephants reacted.

West African elephants call each other by name-like calls, a rare ability in non-human animals. Researchers recorded calls of the elephant's name being communicated by another elephant. Then, they played the recording to the elephant and it responded by calling back or walking toward the speaker. A mother elephant would also react to their child’s name, though not as much as their child. The researcher’s experiment confirmed that elephants use a name-like component that distinguishes each elephant from each other. When scientists played the recording for other elephants there was little to no reaction, confirming their hypothesis.

In another study, Micheal Pardo, a researcher at CSU and Save the Elephants, tested the hypothesis on dolphins and parrots. He found that dolphins and parrots called one another by “name” by imitating the call used by the addressee. In contrast, the elephants do not imitate the receiver's call to address one another, which is very similar to humans. The ability to learn to produce new sounds is uncommon in nonhuman mammals, but it is necessary for identifying individuals by name. Arbitrary communication, where a sound represents an idea rather than an imitation, greatly expands communication capability and is considered a next-level cognitive ability. [Read More]

Diwali Shines Bright with Light, Color, and Tradition

by Lily Adhikari age, 13

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of Hindu’s biggest holidays. It is celebrated in many parts of the world by many different faiths.

Diwali originated from the Sanskrit word Deepavali which means “row of lights.” Deepavali comes from the two words deepa (clay lamps) and avali (row), which can be translated as “row of lights.” The date on which Diwali falls is between late October and early November. The date changes every year, this is because Diwali is based on the Lunar calendar. In the year 2025, it is on October 20th. People usually celebrate the holiday for five days. Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.

Diwali is celebrated all over the world. This means that there are a lot of different people who celebrate when the holiday comes around. The majority of people who celebrate Diwali are Hindus, but there are other religious groups that do so as well. The holiday is also observed by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. [Read More]

The Cool History of Ice Harvesting in Wisconsin

by Malak Al-Quaraishi, age 14

Many years ago, people depended on ice to keep their produce and other items cold. They used what was essentially a modern-day refrigerator, but it was called an ice box. An ice box was a wooden or metal cabinet that held large blocks of ice to keep food cool before electric refrigerators became common.

Harvesting ice blocks was a dangerous and physically demanding process. Workers would travel to lakes across Wisconsin during the winter to cut large blocks of ice, sometimes weighing up to 300–500 pounds, and haul them away for storage in ice houses insulated with sawdust. This allowed the ice to stay frozen well into the summer. Although the job was risky, it paid well and helped many workers support their families.

Thanks to its many lakes and long, cold winters, Wisconsin became a key state for ice harvesting. The thick, clean ice from northern Wisconsin was especially valued. Ice was essential for transporting perishable goods like cheese, meat, milk, and beer, all important to Wisconsin’s economy. Breweries, especially in Milwaukee, were major consumers of ice. Companies like Pabst, Schlitz, and Miller relied heavily on ice to store and ship beer. [Read More]

The Infamous Milwaukee Bridge Wars

by Theodore Morrison, age 17

Can you remember the last time you drove across a bridge? You probably cannot. Today, there are many bridges, so you tend to forget most of them. But in Wisconsin history, there was a time when bridges often caused significant conflict. In one famous case, battles were fought over bridges.

Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city. And in 1845, the stage was set for the so-called Milwaukee Bridge War. That’s when the cities of Kilbourntown and Walker’s Point were created alongside the pre-existing town of Juneautown, which was founded in 1834. The three towns, all located on the Milwaukee River, were vying for economic dominance in the region.

Conflict was sparked when the two competing settlements of Juneautown and Kilbourntown incorporated in what is now modern-day Milwaukee. Both towns were engaged in an economic stand-off started by the founder of Kilbourntown. As he attempted to advertise Juneautown as a less developed town despite the city holding several significant institutions. [Read More]

Name of New U.S. Navy Vessel Honors the City of Beloit, Wisconsin

by Ayelen Flores, age 14

A recently completed ship will be the third U.S. naval vessel named after a Wisconsin city. The USS Beloit, a new freedom-class littoral combat ship, honors that city’s history of diesel engines built for the military.

Beloit is a city in southern Wisconsin with roughly 36,000 people, who are very hardworking and proud of their accomplishments. All of the engines built there have been made by the manufacturer Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD). FMD has around 250 workers on the east bank of the Rock River.

The engines built there are made by the manufacturer Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD). [Read More]

Expired Canned Fish Led to a Breakthrough in Marine Parasite Research

by Theodore Morrison, age 16

Who would have guessed that expired canned fish could be valuable? For an ecologist and a graduate student, it was expired fish that held the key to the construction of a timeline of parasites in marine environments. Chelsea Wood and Natalie Mastick, the parasite ecologist and graduate student respectively, engineered an ingenious idea to study parasitic threats to marine life.

The cycle of life each organism experiences can vary widely from species to species, and marine life is no different. The number of parasites can help determine the number of salmons’ predators in an area because of the strong tie between these parasites and the level of predators, as the parasites are transferred when these predators, like seals, killer whales, and belugas, consume these salmon. One might wonder why this tie exists: it is because this parasite cannot breed nor enter such an environment without marine mammals. As a result, the data might be used for further scientific study.

For the study, the canned salmon was picked through and pockets of worms were extracted. These worms, called Anisakids, delve and dig into the salmon’s muscle creating a pocket in the salmon. These worms are extremely common in seafood though they are killed in the cooking process, so no worries there unless it is undercooked or someone is allergic. Infection in salmon has increased in correlation with the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act, which increased populations, so one could conclude marine parasites would follow. This demonstrates a positive result of the study of salmon over time and how marine life is expanding. [Read More]

Must-See Japanese Print Exhibition at MMoCA Museum on State Street

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 15

Simpson Street Free Press recently visited the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s exhibit titled “Bird and Blossom,” featuring Japanese woodblock prints from the museum’s permanent collection. We were greeted by Eleanor Pschirrer-West, MMoCA’s assistant curator, who explained the significance of and history of the exhibit.

MMoCA is currently showing 19 prints made in the Japanese kachō-e style, which translates to “flower and bird pictures.”

These prints were created during two Japanese artistic movements: the ukiyo-e movement from the Edo and Meiji periods, and the shin-hanga movement from the twentieth century. Between the two movements, there was an influx of western art available in Japan, and its influence can be seen in the differences of perspective and depth in the prints from the two periods. They were all made using a technique called woodblock printing. [Read More]

The “Hail Mary” Pass Is One of Football’s Most Exciting Plays

by Oliver Zink, age 14

One of the most iconic plays in football is the “Hail Mary.” It is usually used by a team at the end of a game out of desperation when they are down eight or fewer points.

To do this play, the quarterback receives the ball and drops back, trying to buy time for the receivers to run down the field. Then the quarterback throws the ball as hard as he can, hoping that a teammate catches it.

The term "Hail Mary pass" was first used in a 1975 game between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys’ quarterback, Roger Staubach, threw a Hail Mary for a touchdown which would win the game for the Cowboys. Afterward in a post-game interview, he said, “Right before I threw it, I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary then threw it. “ [Read More]

Hylton Castle Reveals Its Hidden Medieval Past

by Riya Adhikari, age 13

The Hylton Castle was a magnificent castle that dates back to the late Middle Ages. It is believed that a wealthy royal family lived there. Today, the castle lies in ruins and its worn-down state offers glimpses into its stored history.

The Hylton Castle was huge. Back when the castle was first built, size implied power and authority. Archaeologists state that the castle had a dining hall, kitchen, tall towers, private rooms, and more. As an addition to the castle, there was a huge courtyard and a gatehouse that could have been a private residence for the lord and his family. Additionally, other parts of the courtyard would likely contain a space for communal feasting and other sources of entertainment.

The Hylton castle was likely constructed by hand, reflecting the craftsmanship of its time. Stone roof tiles were constructed on the main hall, overlapping one another and forming a stable and weather-resistant structure. Floor tiles of the structure were larger and thicker than other tiles used in the English construction of churches, castles, and palaces. These tiles had no distinct patterns and were a single-color glaze. [Read More]

Bizarre Discovery Off Japanese Coast Sparks Fierce Debate

by Mahalia Pearson, age 13

The Yonaguni Monument can be found under the sea, near the island of Yonaguni, Japan. The island is the westernmost part of Japan, so far west that it is only 111 km from the east shore of Taiwan and 2,000 km from Tokyo.

The person who discovered the monument was Kihachiro Aratake. The Yonaguni Monument was discovered in 1986. Before finding the monument, Aratake was already a well-known scuba diver who owned a scuba diving center called Sou Wes, located in Sonai, Japan, on the north shore. While looking for hammerhead sharks, Kihachiro stumbled across a strange structure. He called it “the underwater Machu Picchu.” The site is now called “Kaitei Iseki” (Japanese for “the Monument on the bottom of the sea”). People took an instant interest in the discovery, as its origin is unclear—nobody is sure if it was naturally formed or man-made.

A dive blogger named Florine Quirion wrote about the site. Quirion had learned about the site and wanted to visit it herself. Once she saw it, she was curious about what people thought of the monument, so she made an Instagram post to poll opinions. When the results came in, 67 percent thought the site was naturally made, while the remaining 33 percent thought the site was man-made. [Read More]

Matching Set of Dinosaur Footprints Discovered in Africa and South America

by Sofia Zapata, age 15

Matching dinosaur footprints found in Africa and South America are helping scientists discover new things about dinosaurs that roamed the Earth 120 million years ago.

Footprints teach us a lot about dinosaurs. Experts see more than just footprints. They infer what the dinosaurs may have looked like, where they were traveling, and with whom they were walking. The footprints they found helped them discover that the dinosaurs were three-toed theropods, four-legged sauropods with long necks and tails, and ornithischians that had a bone structure similar to birds.

An international team of researchers led by Southern Methodist University paleontologist Louis L. Jacobs discovered matching sets of Early Cretaceous dinosaur footprints on what are now two different continents. They found more than 260 dinosaur footprints in Brazil and Cameroon in the late 1980s and some were identical to each other, despite being across the ocean. This led scientists to theorize that dinosaurs lived on land before the supercontinent Pangea broke apart into eleven continents. The footprints were found in mud and silt along ancient rivers that were once located on Gondwana, the southern half of Pangea, that separated because of tectonic plate movement. [Read More]

Nebulae Are the Birthplace of Stars

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 matter that exists in the space between stars within galaxies. Nebulae are among the most spectacular sights in astronomy.

In Latin, "nebula" means cloud, but in an astronomical context, it describes any celestial object that appears cloud-like when viewed through a telescope. With the benefit of modern telescopes, scientists now know that galaxies once thought to be nebulae, are composed of billions of stars. As a result, astronomers now reserve the word "nebula" for genuine clouds of gas and dust, which can be found throughout our galaxy and beyond.

Most nebulae are made of gas that glows with its light, creating colorful displays. This glowing effect is often due to ionized gas, such as hydrogen, being energized by nearby stars. Other nebulae, such as dark nebulae, are composed of more dust. Instead of glowing, they block light from more distant objects, creating dark patches in the sky. Reflection nebulae do not emit their light but instead reflect the light of nearby stars. [Read More]

Desert Blonde Tarantula Thrives in Harsh Desert Environments

by Lincoln Roos, age 11

The Desert Blond Tarantula is a species of arachnid that lives in the Sonoran Desert, California and Mexico. It survives in these areas with little water. This creature has many other names including the Arizona desert blonde, the Mexican Blond Tarantula, and the Western Desert Tarantula.

This tarantula is an insectivore, which means its diet consists of insects; this spider eats crickets, beetles, cicadas, and caterpillars. Its predators include snakes, lizards, birds, and coyotes. Its fiercest predator is the tarantula hawk — a massive two-inch-long blue wasp with orange wings.

The Desert Blond Tarantula has adaptations that help it survive many deadly predators. It can camouflage, allowing it to blend into its environment. Additionally, it is equipped with massive fangs containing poison and uricating hairs. The hairs on its back side are flung by its leg-like arms called pedipalps. These hairs stun and disable the predator so that the tarantula can escape. [Read More]

Book Review: Front Desk by Kelly Yang

by Nae McNeail, age 13

Front Desk is a partly true story about author Kelly Yang’s childhood, highlighting the importance of hard work and perseverance.

Ten-year-old Mia Tang is the main character of Front Desk, the first of a series of books. Mia was born in China and moved to the United States when she was younger. Since her family was not rich, her parents searched for work. Mia’s parents found employment at the Calavista Motel, a real motel in Anaheim, California. Mia’s parents do not want her to become injured while working, so she helps the family by working the front desk, and welcoming the guests. The Tang family was able to live at the motel, which was great for them since they did not have the money to afford a home. While at the front desk, Mia meets Hank. Hank is one of the weeklies, which is what they call permanent residents at the Calivista Motel.

Their boss and owner of the motel, Mr. Yao, is a bitter man who makes life difficult for the family, making them work long hours and speaking rudely to them. Mr. Yao has a son, named Jason. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, because Jason also gives Mia a hard time. Mia will not stand for bullying, creating a dynamic in which Jason and Mia both pull pranks on each other and are mean to one another. Despite all of this, as the story unfolds, a friendship is created. [Read More]

Glass Technology Through the Ages

by Aubrey Bevenue, age 13

Glassmaking is a complicated process and it has changed over the course of thousands of years. It has been in use since the first glazed objects that were made in the Eastern Mediterranean region over five thousand years ago. In the 18th-century, Venice and London were renowned for their high-quality glass and works of art. In the 19th and 20th centuries mechanization made glass an easy-to-use material for bottles and containers.

In 2050 BCE, the Egyptians made pottery objects decorated with faience, which is a blue glazed mixture of sand and a mineral that contained calcium oxide called ‘lime.’ Faience began in Egypt in the predynastic times (3000 BCE). These faience objects were treasured in Egyptian society.

Up until 1500 BCE, glass working was not developed enough to make entire containers. But at some point new techniques were invented. Vessels were created by dipping a bag filled with sand into melted glass, which would coat the bags of sand and take its shape. Once the glass was ready, the sand core would be emptied. By the 9th century the Phoenicians were trading glass objects all around the eastern Mediterranean. [Read More]

Dane County Has New Tool for Planting and Protecting Trees

by Aubrey Bevenue, age 13

A new online tool by the name of Growing Shade has been launched with hopes of having more trees planted in the Dane County area.

The Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) and the Dane County Tree Canopy Collaborative recently made an interactive website called Growing Shade, which was designed to preserve and widen the Madison area tree canopy. The advanced website helps people learn about planting trees and illustrates the different tree canopies of Dane County and how they have changed over time. Community members can find data about any village, city, town, or neighborhood in Dane County including Madison.

“Growing shade makes it easier for local staff members, residents, and neighborhood groups and residents to figure out what planting new trees will have the most impact,” said Meline Askay, a climate specialist at the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change. The website combines environmental, public health, demographic, and socioeconomic data to express how tree canopy can differ, and change over time in Dane County. [Read More]

Extinction of The Largest Known Primate Ever to Live

by Theodore Morrison, age 16

Imagine being so big and unmaneuverable that you struggle to survive when your environment changes. That was the probable reality for Gigantopithecus blacki, the massive primate that once dominated Southeast Asia during the latest Ice Age.

These herbivorous giants stood up to 9-10 feet tall and weighed more than 500 pounds. Gigantopithecus blacki roamed what is now China and Southeast Asia between 2.3 million years ago and 300,000 years ago. They favored dense forests as their natural habitat, but evidence suggests that as the climate cooled and forests receded, they faced increasing pressure to adapt to more open environments like grasslands. These apes were highly specialized for forest life, and the transition to a different environment proved challenging.

Modern technology has given researchers new insights into the life of Gigantopithecus blacki. Analysis of fossilized teeth indicates that their preferred food sources became scarce as their environment changed. An additional factor that likely led to their extinction was their large size, which may have limited their ability to access enough food when their primary diet became harder to find. Unable to properly adapt to these changes, Gigantopithecus blacki eventually disappeared. [Read More]

From Toys for the Rich, to Tools of Conservation, Zoos Have a Long and Storied History

by Nae McNeail, age 13

People have kept animals in zoos for more than a thousand years. Wealthy people created the first zoos, called menageries, which were private collections to display power. Zoos later became a place for the public to learn about animals, and today serve many purposes, including preserving and studying endangered species.

The word ‘zoo’ comes from ‘zoological park,’ and the first modern zoo was built in 1793 in Paris, France. Earlier zoos resembled museums with live animals in their natural habitat. In the 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment, public zoos grew in popularity. This was a time in European history when scientific knowledge was emphasized by many leaders. This also applied to zoology, the study of animal behavior. Zookeepers had to care for animals in order for scientists to conduct research on their behavior and anatomy. Zoos serve as educational resources that help humans see how animals live.

Not all zoos are the same. For example, Urban zoos are commonly found in larger cities. There is little room for these zoos to expand since they are in the middle of cities. The tight space means that often, animals are kept in small enclosures. Some argue that keeping animals in urban zoos is cruel due to the habitat conditions, noise, and pollution. [Read More]

How Speed Defined World War II Blitzkrieg Tactics

by Jafet Morales, age ll

After World War I, Germany developed a war tactic called blitzkrieg: a concentrated strategy combining power, speed, leadership, and coordination. This strategic approach helped the Nazis achieve early victories in World War II (WWII). Despite initial successes, Germany ultimately faced defeat after six years of fighting against the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Soviet Union, and various resistance groups in occupied territories.

Surprise attacks and creating panic were crucial aspects of Nazi blitzkrieg tactics. Stuka dive bombers, recognizable for their menacing sirens, were deployed to divebomb enemy targets, instilling fear and disrupting defenses. However, the sirens' noise also slowed the aircraft, increasing vulnerability to enemy fire. Stukas were a formidable symbol of German air power during the early stages of WWII.

Speed was another critical element of Nazi strategy. In early September 1939, Germany swiftly invaded Poland, catching the Polish defenses off guard. This rapid advance and the mobilization of forces on multiple fronts allowed Germany to secure early victories. The German military's ability to rapidly gather and exploit intelligence through reconnaissance planes played a crucial role in identifying and exploiting enemy weaknesses. [Read More]

Why are Baby Giraffes Born So Tall?

by Amelia Pearson, age 14

Baby giraffes, also known as calves, are impressively tall compared to other young animals, typically standing about six feet tall. Female giraffes are typically smaller than their male counterparts.

Baby giraffes weigh approximately 75 pounds and grow quite fast. By their first year, they nearly double in height.

Mother giraffes tend to only have one calf at a time, but twins have been reported. When a baby giraffe learns to stand, it immediately starts to suckle its mother's milk. Baby giraffes rely on their mother’s milk for up to nine to 12 months. They begin eating leaves and solid foods around four months old. [Read More]

How FC Bayern Munich Became a Soccer Powerhouse

by Oliver Zink, age 13

FC Bayern Munich is one of the most prestigious and classic teams in the world of soccer. They have won almost every trophy in the world.

The team was founded in 1900 in Munich, Germany. Their first 31 years were slow, but gained momentum and eventually won their first title. They were the only club to accept Jewish players in the 30s which gave them the nickname “The Jew’s Club.”

In the 40s, many young men were fighting in the World War, so soccer was not as important and it waned in popularity. In 1955, they narrowly avoided bankruptcy because of their poor performance. The five years before 1955 yielded no titles and they slowly lost support and money. [Read More]

The Mysterious Disappearance of Novelist Agatha Christie

by Riya Adhikari, age 12

Agatha Christie was a novelist from the 1900s who went missing on December 3, 1926. Her disappearance shocked many people.

Christie was born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, Devon, England. She was homeschooled by her mother, and her father died in 1901. Sometime after that, Agatha attended an all-girls school in Torquay, Devon. Her mother was British, and her father was American. Agatha is believed to have taught herself how to read and write at the age of five.

Agatha Christie’s writing career began when she was working as a nurse for wounded soldiers during World War I. During this time, she started writing novels, with the war shaping some of her early work. Agatha’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920), introduced Hercule Poirot, an important character in Christie’s works. Poirot was known for being a bit full of himself and was quite a unique individual. He appeared in nearly 25 books and stories before he met his end in Agatha’s novel Curtain (1975). [Read More]

Learn About Cicadas, Nature’s Loudest Insects

by Mahalia Pearson, age 13

There are more than 3,000 different species of cicadas. These cicadas can be found in many different parts of the world. Cicadas normally fall into two groups: annual and periodical cicadas. The annual cicadas are found in many different places whereas the periodical cicadas are found mostly in the central and eastern regions of the United States.

Cicadas have an interesting look. The periodical cicada grows between one to one and a half inches long. The wingspan of a cicada is twice its length. Its membranous wings are decorated with orange veins. Not only that, they have black bodies with large red-brown eyes.

Cicadas are loud insects that have a distinct buzzing sound. The noises that a person hears are coming from the male cicada trying to court the female cicadas. The cicada has a simple life cycle that consists of three stages. First, they start off as eggs, then nymphs, and lastly adults. The female lays around 400 eggs on twigs and branches. Once the female cicada lays the eggs, after six to ten weeks they will start to hatch into nymphs. After the nymphs hatch from the egg they will find a place to burrow themselves in the ground and feast off of liquid contained in plants and roots. [Read More]

The Cold and Arid Landscape of the Patagonia Desert

by Mahalia Pearson, age 13

Patagonia is located between Chile and Argentina and measures more than one million square kilometers. The Patagonian Desert is part of the region and is one of the biggest deserts in the world.

The Patagonian Desert’s temperature is fairly cold. It barely exceeds 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average temperature is only 37 degrees Fahrenheit. The desert experiences four months of winter and five months of summer. With the desert's temperature being so cold, one may think that there would be snow, but due to its dry climate all year around, it is very rare to see snow or rain.

Rain shadows are the primary reason precipitation is rare. Rain shadows occur when mountains or hills prevail over a desert to the point that they take most of the water, resulting in deserts being dry. Nearby Andes Mountain and the South Pacific influence the desert's temperatures. [Read More]

Exploring the Architectural Wonder of Istanbul's Blue Mosque

by Mahalia Pearson, age 13

The Blue Mosque is located in Istanbul, Turkey. It is an architectural masterpiece constructed and preserved since the Ottoman Empire. Its unique design, both structurally and within its interior, makes it an attraction for people worldwide.

The mosque was built as a statement piece for the Ottoman Empire's achievements and greatness. During the building process, Ahmed I declared that if anyone did not win a war, they would not partake in the building process. Due to this statement, there were many wars. Later, when the Ottoman-Safavid war occurred, the Ottomans had to give back many territories to the Persians. When they gave back these territories to the Persians, there was a debate about building the mosque because people thought it was inappropriate or violated the Divine Laws as the treasury financed the mosque instead of the war riches.

Nonetheless, in 1609, the mosque's construction began, which occurred during a time with several complications, such as drought, famine, and the absence of military victories. As these problems occurred, Ahmed, I wanted to leave a positive legacy, so he was uninterested in other duties and activities happening in the kingdom. Instead, he wanted to ensure the mosque was more significant than the Hagia Sophia and Suleymaniye. [Read More]

Anne Frank’s Story and the Diary that Survived the Holocaust

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 14

Anne Frank is known for her famous diaries from the Holocaust which are filled with many emotional memories. Anne went into hiding, was captured, and died during WWII. She would not be known today if it were not for her father Otto Frank, who published Anne’s diary.

Before the tragic events of the holocaust, Anne lived a normal teenage life. She was born into an upper-class Jewish family in Frankfurt, Germany. When the Nazis started to implement their policies, Otto decided to leave Germany and move to Amsterdam. He started his business called the “Dutch Opekta Company.” During this time, as the Nazis became more aggressive, Jews were taken to concentration camps and treated inhumanely. The treatment from Nazis became so harsh that the Franks, alongside four other friends, went into hiding. They hid above Otto’s business, called the annexe, with the help of other friends. Two weeks before going into hiding, Anne turned 13, and was gifted her diary, “Kitty.”

In Anne’s diary, she wrote about her experience in the annexe and her daily life. She talked about how careful they had to be when making noise, because any small noise would give their hiding place away. The diary contains short stories, fairy tales, essays, and the beginning of a novel. Anne loved writing; she dreamed of becoming a famous journalist. When she heard that any documents would be kept as a record, she started revising her diary. [Read More]

Explore Lake Nakuru, Kenya's Wildlife Oasis

by Malak Al Qurasihi, age 13

Lake Nakuru in Kenya is one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. It is part of the Rift Valley lakes in East Africa, which vary significantly in saltiness and altitude. Despite its salty water, which limits aquatic and plant life diversity, Lake Nakuru is known for its remarkable wildlife, particularly its bird species.

The lake is famous for hosting over 100 bird species, including storks, spoonbills, and African fish eagles. These species rely on the lake as an essential feeding site during their nesting seasons. Due to the hypersaline environment, the lake sustained no fish species. However, in 1953, a salt-tolerant fish species of Tilapia was introduced to the lake. The species had to be reintroduced a couple of times since the lake went through a cycle of drying up and reflooding in the following years. The introduction of fish resulted in an increase in fish-eating bird species.

Along with birds, six species of phytoplankton have been recorded in this lake. The most common is the tiny blue-green alga called spirulina platensis. This alga occurs in vast numbers, turning the water a dark green and forming a slimy texture. This phytoplankton species is the foundation of Lake Nakuru’s food web. Five species of zooplankton, four species of water boatmen, midge larvae, and calanoid copepod from the rest of this lake's aquatic animal life. Together, the marine species in Lake Nakuru provide food for several dozen bird species – the most notable being flamingos. [Read More]

History Tells New Story of First Black American to Reach the North Pole

by Aubrey A Bevenue, age 12

Robert Peary is recognized as the first person to set foot on the North Pole. While he did not get a lot of recognition at the time, the African-American explorer, Matthew Henson was also ultimately recognized.

Matthew Henson was a skilled explorer. He was very experienced since he began his life on a merchant ship, starting when he was only 12 years old. He learned cartography and maritime astronomy while being at sea in the Arctic. He also spoke one of the main languages of people who lived near the Arctic, known as the Inuit language. Many people knew Henson as Miy Paliuk, which also translated to “Matthew, the kind one.” He also later had a son with an Inuit woman.

40 dogs pulled the sled that transported the explorers. The dogs ran for five days in freezing temperatures, and the men's faces became raw over time. Henson's accomplishments represented that African American people could also be successful. He wrote an autobiography in 1912, that talks about his success and challenges with his teammate and the journey. [Read More]

Helena Rubinstein Built a Multimillion-Dollar Beauty Empire

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 8

Have you ever wondered how the makeup and cosmetic industry started? Are you curious to know who built a multimillion-dollar beauty industry? Helena Rubinstein was one of the first women to achieve this feat.

Helena Rubinstein was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1870. She founded a global cosmetics empire, which began her journey of becoming one of the wealthiest women in the world. She used her wealth to create a product that would become one of the most successful on the planet. The foundation, a face cream, helped women's health. The brand was named after her and still exists to this day.

Helena always found business opportunities, especially when she visited some relatives in Australia. She discovered that women's skin was damaged and drier in hot weather. She combined her cream with a family formula that improved women's skin, leading her to be even more successful. [Read More]

Virgil Van Dijk Shines as Liverpool's Star Defensive Player

by Oliver Zink, age 13

Virgil Van Dijk has shown that he is a world class defender and can compete at the highest levels in competitive soccer. He proved that by joining Liverpool in 2018 to play at a higher level after playing on smaller teams, such as Willem 11, FC Groningen, and Celtic.

The Dutch player helped Liverpool lift every major league trophy to date. He is a constant, imposing presence at the back line, while still helping up front with approximately five goals every Premier League season.

In the 2019-2020 season he won the UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA League World Cup which no one has done before. He also helped clinch a European Cup. In the 2018 season he only missed 35 minutes throughout the entire season, which is one of the lowest in the league. He was an outstanding player at the heart of the success of Liverpool, especially when the team made a comeback and beat Real Madrid securing the Champions League in 2019, after losing the year before. [Read More]

Explore the Diverse Wildlife Species of Patagonia

by Oliver Zink, age 13

There is a vibrant ecosystem in the southern half of South America called Patagonia, which is home to many different species. The landscape has some of the most beautiful land in the world, with frozen mountain peaks, deserts, and little woodlands in valleys. The diverse terrain in Patagonia not only makes it an attractive adventure spot but also a home for various species.

There are a large variety of birds in Patagonia. Most of them are predatory and carrion species, which are mainly scavengers. Some birds are the Andean Condor, the vulture, and the falcon. The region is well-suited for birds because it has bountiful food. The area has unique birds, including the Lesser Rhea, which are similar to the ostrich. Other birds in the southern regions of Patagonia include woodpeckers, geese, ducks, and even penguins.

Some mammals that live in the region are foxes and pumas. The puma is a mountain lion, but the native people call it a puma, and it has become popular. The puma is very adaptable and can live anywhere in the Americas. Their favorite prey is the guanaco, the wild forebearer of the domesticated llama. Wherever you find guanacos, you will probably find a puma nearby. [Read More]

LED-Embedded Bandages: A Bright Future for Wound Care

by Amelia Pearson, age 13

There is a big difference between normal bandages and future LED-embedded bandages. Modern bandages are currently being developed at the University Of Southampton in England. These bandages can stop microbes from reproducing and can also kill the microbes.

These bandages are ingrained with scaled-down LED bulbs emitting UVC wavelengths, usually used for cleaning medical equipment. The UV light replaces the antibiotics often used to kill germs.

The bandage needs a battery to power the lights being emitted, so the thought of wireless powering was seen as the most practical. With wireless, will minimize the harmful chemicals coming from thrown-away batteries. [Read More]

Rosetta Nubin Was the Guitar-Playing “Godmother” of Rock and Roll

by Riya Adhikari, age 12

Rosetta Nubin was an incredible singer who mixed her church roots with the blues. Despite being dubbed "The Godmother of Rock and Roll," her achievements and diverse musical abilities remain relatively unknown.

Born on March 20, 1915, in the small town of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Rosetta's parents were cotton workers. While her mother actively participated in the local church, little was known about her father, except that he sang during his free time.

At the age of six, Rosetta, performing religious songs alongside her mother, went by the name Little Rosetta Newbin. Renowned for her exceptional guitar-playing skills, she became exposed to the early recordings of blues queens like Ma Rainey and The Trio of Smiths: Bessie, Trixie, and Mamie. Blues, predominantly sung by females, was the era's most popular music, and Rosetta found herself immersed in it, blending it with the music of her upbringing. [Read More]

The 'Super Croc' That Could Have Hunted Dinosaurs

by Riya Adhikari, age 12

The Sarcosuchus Imperator, otherwise known as the “Super Croc,” was an ancient species of crocodile. It lived around 113 million years ago.

The Super Croc was a huge creature. Saltwater Crocodiles are big, but nothing compared to Sarcosuchus. The Super Croc was 30-40 feet long, meanwhile, male crocodiles nowadays can grow up to 25 feet, and females can be around 10 feet long.

The Sarcosuchus Imperator’s diet is believed to have had dinosaurs in it. The Super Croc had a particular way of hunting its prey. With its formidable, long, sharp, backward-pointing teeth, Super Sarco would cling onto the animal that got too close, and submerge it under the water. [Read More]

HBCU Makes History With New Ice Hockey Program

by Moore Vang, age 15

Tennessee State University (TSU) is one of the largest HBCU colleges in the U.S. and is widely known for its athletics. This includes sports such as basketball, football, tennis, and more. It has established the careers of many athletes such as Wilma Rudolph and Tiger Belle who both made track history. The university has also produced Super Bowl champion Ed Jones. TSU has established many sports for its athletes, however, they’re looking to make a huge change by becoming the first-ever historically black college to introduce ice hockey.

Earlier this year, Tennessee State collaborated with the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Player’s Association, and one of the most well-known hockey teams in the United States: the Nashville Predators. Before this partnership occurred, the NHL, along with the players’ union, sponsored feasibility studies for U.S. colleges and universities interested in the addition of Division Ⅰ men’s and women’s programs since 2017. This idea for ice hockey came to fruition when Sean Henry, the president of the Nashville Predators, said there were discussions of helping raise $1 million in scholarship funds in a month. This turned into the idea of bringing up the subject of ice hockey in January 2020.

“The announcement gives him goosebumps thinking of how this could change hockey,” Henry states. Not only will this change the landscape of ice hockey, but also of HBCUs all around the U.S. For decades, HBCUs have mainly been recognized by their popular sports such as basketball and football. However, with the addition of ice hockey, it adds to the preexisting sports. The athletic director of TSU, Mikki Allen, expressed that the program will help diversify hockey and embrace inclusivity. [Read More]

The Unique American (Pine) Marten Calls Wisconsin Home

by Kimberly Rodriguez, age 11

The Pine Marten can be found in multiple places including Wisconsin. They are creatures with beautiful fur and are talented climbers and fishers.

Wisconsin Pine Martens typically consume mice and animals like squirrels, rabbits, and small birds. They are also considered omnivores that eat wild fruits, berries, and nuts. Although Pine Martens can climb very well, the majority of their hunting stays on the ground.

Piners can be found in Canada, Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan, and the Rocky Mountains. With their thick coat to keep them warm, they can easily hunt in the winter and prefer to live in cold and snowy places. Their warm fur also makes them resemble a bushed-tailed cat. [Read More]

The Asiatic Lion Is One of Earth’s Rarest Big Cat Species

by Mahalia Pearson, age 13

When people envision lions, they typically think they are from Africa, but lions can be found in different geographical areas around the world such as India, one example being the Asiatic lion. The Asiatic lion is one of the rarest types of cat species. Not only is it called an Asiatic lion, but it is also referred to as the Persian lion.

The coat of this carnivore consists of many colors such as black, dark brown, sandy, and gray. The Asiatic lion is smaller than the well-known African lion and has a short, sparse, and dark mane that makes its ears more visible compared to the African lion. Another distinction is that the Asiatic lion has a longitudinal fold of skin that goes along its belly.

The Asiatic lion lived in habitats ranging from Turkey and across Asia to Eastern India. Unfortunately, this creature has been hunted down to the point of near extinction. Currently, these lions are prone to diseases, disaster, and potential poaching. They also have to deal with the consequences of a growing population of humans and cattle. With larger human populations that demand more land for agriculture and settlement, the habitats of these lions are slowly disappearing. [Read More]

Monona Mural Is Beloved Local Example of Public Art

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

Wisconsin boasts a plethora of stunning and remarkable murals throughout the state, each distinguished by the unique messages they convey. One compelling illustration is the "Water, Land, and Sky" mural located in Monona.

Positioned conveniently on West Broadway, opposite South Towne Mall, this mural is accessible to the public at all times, allowing visitors to capture photographs with it. Crafted in the summer of 2017, it is the result of a collaboration between the city of Monona and Dane Arts Mural Art.

The "Water, Land, and Sky" mural serves as a tribute to the beauty of Monona and its vibrant community. Local artist Rhea Swing breathed life into this masterpiece, with the active involvement of Monona residents, including those from Winnequah Elementary, the Monona Senior Center, and members of the Ho-Chunk Nation. [Read More]

Arizona’s Beautiful and Mysterious Apache Trail

by Mahalia Pearson, age 12

The Apache Trail was completed through the Superstition Mountains in 1911, but construction began in 1904. These two landmarks are located in Arizona. The roughly 40-mile trail was used for stagecoaches by the Mexican, Spanish, and American settlers. The settlers learned the trail from the Native Americans who resided in the area. The trail was named after the Apache Native Americans and other Native American tribes.

The Apache Trail, also known as Route 88, is hard to drive on due to the poor conditions of the road. While driving on the road, people experience deserts, sharp turns, and steep hills. Visitors should be cautious of possible landslides or cliffs that may make it easy for one to fall off.

The trail is currently closed and has been closed for three years due to fires, floods, and landslides. The Woodbury fire burned down 120,000 acres of land and left a burn scar. That part of the trail has been closed because of the risk of having another landslide. Since the trail is closed, drivers must take another route that takes two times longer to reach their destination. [Read More]

What was Life Like in the Ice Age?

by Kaleab Afeworki, age 11

The Ice Age was a cold time period where wooly mammoths roamed free, sea levels were at bay, and isthmuses served as a natural means of transportation.

Historically, there have been five major Ice Ages, with the first dating 2.3 billion years ago. During the first Ice Age, a huge layer of ice that was more than 650 feet thick encoated one-third of the Earth. Today, leftover ice still covers Greenland and Antarctica.

The book World History Encyclopedia states, “Since the Quaternary Ice Age, there have been 17 glacial (cold) and 17 interglacial (warm) periods.” Ice Ages start from the Earth changing its direction in its path as it orbits the Sun. The first Ice Age was called the Huronian Glaciation. Right now, we are living in the Holocene, a geological time period that began 11,700 years ago after the most recent major Ice Age. [Read More]

Meet the Rare Asiatic Cheetah

by Allison Wallace, age 11

There are currently only 30 Asiatic cheetahs left, a majestic cat species. These cheetahs are found in Iran, but their habitat used to span from the Middle East of Asia to Russia. Unfortunately, their population has significantly declined.

Compared to their African counterparts, Asiatic cheetahs are smaller, and have thicker coats, more powerful necks, and longer legs. These longer legs have led to theories that they might be faster, although no studies have confirmed this. They also have lighter fur, nearly white on their sides, a deviation from African cheetahs, and small black spots on their face that are irregularly scattered on their bodies.

The Asiatic cheetah primarily preys on herbivores such as rabbits, hares, wild sheep, goats, and gazelle. [Read More]

Unlocking Opportunities with a Madison Library Card

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

The city of Madison is home to nine public libraries, as well as a mobile library, the Dream Bus. While the Madison Public Library system still lends out books, movies, CDs, and even video games, it has grown to offer a variety of additional opportunities and resources to Madisonians. The key to accessing these opportunities within Madison libraries and the South Central Library System: is a library card.

There are multiple ways to sign up for a library card. For example, sign-up can be done online or at any Madison Public Library location. You will need an ID and proof of your current address. The first card is free and then you can request free replacement cards.

The Madison Public Library website has a list of 30 things a cardholder can do with their card, such as checking out movies, books, computers, DVDs, ebooks, current newspapers, magazines, and many more interesting things. Students and other individuals can reserve a study room to work on homework or school projects. The rooms were made for people to use as a tool to meet with friends or group work members and study. [Read More]

The Mexican-American War: Controversy and Consequences

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

The Mexican-American War was controversial, but others said it was meant to occur. President James K. Polk, known for expanding territorial land of the United States, believed Americans should have power over the entire North American continent.

The war started in 1846 when Polk, who was president at that time, wanted to buy land that belonged to Mexico. Polk sent John Slidell, an American diplomat, to offer $30 million for the land. The only problem was that the Mexican government was not interested and turned down the deal. Polk became furious and sent American troops to a disputed area between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River in January 1846. Before the war began, there already was conflict on whether Texas ended at the Nueces or the Rio Grande. After sending troops, Polk tried to incite Mexico into war, and soon enough the Mexican government responded by crossing the Rio Grande and firing on American troops in April 1846. In response, Polk sent an order for war to Congress on May 11, 1846. Polk declared, “Mexico has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil."

It was a very questionable move that was heavily criticized by Northerners. Many Northerners believed that Polk only wanted the land to extend slaveholding. Others thought it was unfair to take Mexico’s land by force. Second Lt. Ulysses S. Grant was one of the people who gave his own opinion on the war by saying it was “one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation.” The war was compared to European monarchy wars. [Read More]

Exploring the Award-Winning Restoration of the 1868 Brisbane House in Arena, Wisconsin

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

The historic Brisbane House in Arena, Wisconsin, is renowned for its builder's past. William Henry Brisbane, known as an "abolitionist," faced significant scrutiny when he embraced this cause and subsequently relocated from his Southern home state.

Born on October 12, 1806, Brisbane began his journey as a cadet at the Norwich Military Academy in Norwich, Vermont. He later inherited 33 enslaved individuals from his family. While residing in a South Carolina house with his slaves, Brisbane underwent a transformation in his beliefs, recognizing the inherent wrongfulness of slavery. He made the courageous decision to set his slaves free, a move that garnered heavy criticism and disdain from his community. Nonetheless, this opposition did not deter him from persisting in his human rights campaign. To escape judgment and pursue his cause, Brisbane left South Carolina and settled in what is now Arena, Wisconsin, embarking on a new chapter in his life.

Brisbane harbored grand plans to construct a house where he could reside and eventually provide accommodation for others after his passing. The house was built in the "I-style," a design Southerners transported with them when they migrated North. Characterized by its towering structure and an interior adorned with numerous large windows that facilitated excellent ventilation in the summer, the house also featured tall doors. Remarkably, the house still stands in good condition. [Read More]

The Vampire Spiders Are the Secret Blood-Lovers of the Insect World

by Riya Adhikari, age 12

Everyone talks about blood-loving mosquitos, but does anyone talk about the blood-loving spiders? Evarcha culicivora, also called vampire spiders, are a type of spider that feeds on blood. They are called mosquito terminators.

Evarcha likes both animal and human blood. Vampire spiders cannot bite through skin or animal hide because their mouthparts are not built for this ability.

Vampire spiders depend on mosquitoes to get the blood they desire. Their favorite types of mosquitoes are Anopheles, which are the main malaria spreaders in Africa. This mosquito species sits with its bottom sticking up in the air, while the majority of mosquitos sit with their bottoms on the floor. Their posture is an advantage for baby spiders. They can crawl under the mosquito’s abdomen, jump up, then grab onto the mosquito. While it flies away, the little spiders hang on to the mosquito and inject it with their venom. They then have a big feast. Vampire spiders live by Lake Victoria in the nations of Kenya and Uganda in the eastern part of Africa. [Read More]

Investigating the Mysterious Snow on Saturn's Moon

by Amelia Pearson, age 13

The snow on Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, can bury almost any skyscraper on Earth. Scientists would like to find out why.

The snow’s depth on Enceladus shows that its water vapor could have been more active in the past. Geysers on the moon allow for water from a salty ocean under an icy shell to rise to the surface of Enceladus. Some of this water contributes to forming one of Saturn’s rings. According to the researchers, the rest of this water seems to land back on the ground in the form of snow. Scientists believe that if they could fully understand the snow's properties, it could help uncover Enceladus’ history.

For scientists to fully understand the properties of the snow on Enceladus, they looked into Iceland. In Iceland, there are marks in the ground made from loose rocks, ice, or snow called pit chains. Scientists discovered they are very similar to features on Enceladus. [Read More]

Dominik Szoboszlai, A $76 Million Sensation at Liverpool

by Oliver Zink, age 13

Hungarian soccer player Dominik Szoboszlai was bought by Liverpool in 2023 for $76 million. Szoboszlai gave his opinion on the team by saying it has "... outstanding players, good coach, everything is good. For me, it is perfect." Szoboszlai will leave the Leipzig team, where he did well between 2021 and 2023. His jersey number will change to number eight at Liverpool.

Szoboszlai was born on October 25, 2000, in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. His dad was a former soccer player in Australia, so during his childhood, he made him practice dribbling and sliding the ball between and over plastic bottles. Sometimes, he practiced with golf balls.

Szobaszlai's first team was Videoton from 2006 to 2007. He later played on Főnix Gold from 2007 to 2015. After his time there, he moved to MTK Budapest. In his last year as a youth player, Szoboszlai played for Liefering from 2016 to 2017. [Read More]

Wisconsin Trade Exams Now Available in Spanish, Paving the Way for Inclusivity and Opportunity

by Sandy Flores Ruiz, age 17

Wisconsin Trade Credentialing Examinations are now offered in Spanish, as of July 11, 2023. This will allow native Spanish speakers to take all trade exams in Spanish, which will eliminate a language barrier to obtaining a credential, and help them achieve a higher earning job.

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services is investing in the expansion of the state’s workforce by creating changes like this, offering people the opportunity to be certified in a trade. The exam will help native Spanish speakers to get one of the state’s 240 professional credentials. Those include plumbing, contracting, electrical work and so much more. Many are excited about this new major advancement as it will allow more Hispanic people to be able to work in different fields.

However, people worry that this new advance will only benefit a few community members because of the following steps after the exam. In the state of Wisconsin, one in five Latinos do not speak English at all or do not speak it well. After entering those higher-level positions, many will struggle to succeed if the only language companies offer is English. Some question whether Wisconsin is creating false hope for people entering a workforce in which their native language is not spoken. [Read More]

The Metamorphosis of Amphibians from Water to Land

by Marie Pietz, age 11

Amphibians are born in freshwater and move out to dry land when they reach a certain age.

Many types of amphibians can be found in bodies of water.

While they are born into water, they have to go through stages of growth before moving onto land. When amphibians mate, most lay eggs, while others give birth. Those who lay eggs usually lay them in soft clumps with a jelly-like texture. [Read More]

Understanding the Health Impacts and Controversies Surrounding Daylight Saving Time

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

Although daylight saving time is very popular with many people, it may have negative health effects for humans, according to some scientists.

Daylight saving time is when clocks move an hour forward in the spring and return to standard time in the fall. This makes people lose an hour of sleep, causing scientists to question if this is healthy. Kenneth Wright, an expert on sleep and body clocks, says that daylight saving time is the wrong name for this procedure. He says that humans are only changing the way they live concerning the sun, making their bodies out of sync. The action of changing the clocks creates a problem with the human body’s circadian rhythm as it resets.

Wright and other scientists advocate for permanent standard time instead of switching twice a year. The U.S. Senate voted for daylight saving to become permanent in March 2022, but without a vote from the House, it has not become law. Something similar happened in Congress in the 1970s, however, it was not passed as people feared the shift could cause fear or depression among adolescents and others. [Read More]

The Fascinating Reproduction Process of Reptiles

by Mahalia Pearson, age 12

Reptiles are known to spend their whole lifetime split between land and water. When they mate, they then have to come out of the water to lay their eggs.

Not only are reptile eggs durable, but they also boast a shell underneath that shields the fluid of the yolk and protects the embryo. The small fluid inside allows the baby creatures to remain safe. This yolk provides the baby food while they grow in the egg.

The young reptiles come out of the egg like a small version of their parents. There are many types of reptiles, including snakes, alligators, lizards, and a Galapagos giant tortoise, of whom these reproduce with eggs. However, other reptiles including some snakes and lizards, are viviparous which means that they do not lay any eggs. Instead, they give birth to a fully developed reptile. [Read More]

The Wrath of Mediterranean Volcanoes - From Vesuvius to Etna

by Emily Rodriguez, age 14

In the Mediterranean Sea, there are many destructive volcanoes. Two of the most well-known are Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Etna.

Mt. Vesuvius is known for its eruptions located in the Bay of Naples, Italy. This volcano destroyed a whole town, burying it in ashes. It has erupted numerous times. In 1944, during World War II, a volcanic eruption damaged the aircraft engines due to volcanic ash and rock fragments left in the air. The first recording of Mt. Vesuvius’ eruption was by Pliny the Younger in AD 79. This eruption destroyed the town of Pompeii. Many people fled for safety, some ran towards the sea for their boats. Many people perished in the disaster of the eruption.

Mt. Etna, Europe’s current largest active volcano, is located in eastern Sicily. It has periodically erupted for the past three thousand years. The last major eruption was in 1992. It produced a column of ash, lava, and gas causing a lot of destructive damage to nature and pollution to the air. Even though this volcano has caused immense damage in the past, people continue to settle nearby for its fertile soil, and because the volcano is dormant. Similar to Mt. Vesuvius, it is a very destructive volcano. [Read More]

How Seismic Waves are Studied to Peer Inside the Earth

by Alejandro Berrueta, age 11

Scientists continue to get more advanced as their knowledge of seismology increases. These advancements are helping citizens all around the world to take shelter before any disaster strikes, regardless if it is natural or manmade.

As we know, movements on Earth are caused by platonic plates moving under the ground. These extremely fast movements can cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, which can be deadly. Humans can also cause movements on the planet by the use of explosions. For example, testing atomic bombs, and other heavy explosions as well as mining can also cause earthquakes.

With more advanced technology becoming available, scientists will continue to study movements in or on Earth. With the correct measurements, big impacts can be avoided and save lives. [Read More]

Muons Reveal Hidden Void in Egypt's Great Pyramid

by Alejandro Berrueta, age 11

A nebulous void has been discovered in Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza with the help of muons. This void was first discovered in 2016 by scientists on the pyramid’s north face. The muons’ measurement helped identify the size and shape of this void.

Muons are subatomic particles created by high-energy particles from space. These particles are also known as cosmic rays; they fall into Earth's atmosphere and create high-energy muons. Some are absorbed when they fall onto structures.

Scientists from the ScanPyramids team reported to Nature Communications that the void was nine meters long, two meters wide, and two meters tall. In addition to ultrasonic testing and ground penetrating radar, the scientists were able to get detailed pictures regarding the void. They discovered a vaulted ceiling that had not been seen in over 4,500 years. [Read More]

The History of Pringles Chips

by Moore Vang, age 14

In the 1950s, the company Procter & Gamble wanted to design a chip that

did not break, had flavor and had a new shape. After nearly a century, Pringles has generated popularity around the world and is one of the best chips out there.

A chemist named Fredric Baur created the design of the Pringle, which was [Read More]

Exploring the World of Bats

by Kimberly Rodriguez, age 11

There are approximately 1,200 different types of bats on Earth! Bats are best known for their echolocation, which is the ability to sense objects using sound.

In the United States, there are 40 species of bats. They are usually found in the southwestern parts where it is warm, as they don't prefer cold environments. Bats sleep in caves in large groups called colonies. This provides them with extra protection and helps keep them warm.

Most bats eat scorpions, spiders, and other insects they can find on the ground. Baby bats drink milk from their mothers. There are also fruit-eating bats, while other species are meat-eaters that feed on small rodents and tree frogs. Additionally, there's the common fear of vampire bats, which enjoy feeding on the blood of larger animals such as cattle or, in rare cases, humans! [Read More]

The Charm of Frogs

by Soren Dahl, age 11

If you hold a dislike for frogs, your perspective might change once you delve into the fascinating world of these diminutive amphibians.

Across the globe, there exist thousands of frog species, with some falling under the category of toads. Toads typically exhibit dry, bumpy skin and are not commonly found in aquatic environments. Among the frog species, certain ones can attain remarkable sizes, such as the Goliath frog or the Cane toad, which can grow to over a pound in weight.

Frogs boast a varied diet, encompassing an eccentric and unusual assortment of foods. Flies, ants, and other small insects form the staple diet of most frogs. Larger frogs, on the other hand, gravitate toward larger insects and small creatures. Among the examples are tarantulas and mice. [Read More]