Every teen is in the process of establishing a unique identity, but things are more complicated for identical twins. This blog written by a twin discusses the challenges he and other identical twins face in differentiating themselves from the person closest to them.
People have always sought to impose order on nature, not only by taming landscapes and creatures but also by developing an understanding of how and why nature works the way it does. In this blog post, Marcelo Gleiser ponders the differences between the laws humans make and the laws by which nature functions.
Like anything you have with you all the time, you might take your eyes for granted. But how the eye translates the light falling onto an object into an image your brain can make sense of is pretty amazing. Here’s an overview.
Often mixed with the relief and joy of surviving a catastrophe or war is guilt. Survivors may feel that they didn’t do enough to save others or that they bear responsibility for preventable deaths.
When the body is imprisoned by captivity or injury, it’s essential for the mind to remain free. This BBC radio broadcast features the voices of people who survived lengthy captivity by keeping their minds active and hopeful.
What is peace in action? Watch a profile of a young peacemaker as he carries out the work of his “Gotta Have Sole” mission. To gain a fresh perspective of what it can mean to be a peacemaker, see who benefits from this youth’s actions and how.
James Madison played many important roles in the founding of the nation. Explore this site to learn more about his contributions.
This segment discusses the work Jacob Riis did, the tactics he used to communicate his message, and the books others have written about him. View the images Riis took and choose a book excerpt to read.
What historically male names have increasingly been given to female babies? What names have managed to remain gender neutral? Read about the back-and-forth of some popular names in the United States.
Sparked by the self-immolation death of a Tunisian fruit vendor, the Arab Spring protests swept across North Africa and the Middle East beginning in early 2011. Explore this interactive timeline for a wealth of information about the protests and what they achieved.
Robotics may seem to owe little to nature and everything to technology. But engineers have used the actions of social insects to guide the movements of robots that are not directly controlled by humans. Read this article to discover what robots can learn from ants.
“One sometimes finds what one is not looking for,” said Alexander Fleming, whose chance observation of a contaminated experiment led to the the world’s first antibiotic. This Smithsonian article discusses inventions and discoveries that centered on a flash of insight in a mind prepared to see what it wasn’t looking for.
What contributed to the devastating power of Hurricane Katrina? History® provides text, videos, and links on the formation and impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
It may be easier to have a conversation with someone who already agrees with you, but it’s better for your brain to talk with—and listen to—someone who disagrees with you. In this article, Art Markman, Ph.D., a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas, discusses the practical applications of psychological research on disagreement.
Changing from using one language to another can be a challenge, one that is made even more difficult by reminders of one’s home country. This article by Emily Underwood explains why.
Where does your money typically go? Compare your spending habits with the national breakdowns featured in this report.
Phillis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book of poetry in the United States, and the third woman to do so, regardless of race. Learn more about the life of this native of Senegal who was captured and enslaved at the age of eight.
Experience the Emily Dickinson Collection at Amherst College. Explore photos of the poet’s handwritten poems and letters.
Whether it’s disaster relief, anti-bullying, or animal adoption, find a cause that matters to you. What will you do to effect positive change?
This video explains how a human characteristic called ‘persistence of vision’ is the key to motion in animation.
