Author Archives: Anita Hacker

The Real Risks of Texting and Driving

This article explores why teenagers continue to text while driving even when they understand the risks.

Muhammad Ali’s Legacy: Boxing Legend, Proud Muslim, Champion of Civil Rights

Read how Muhammad Ali, one of the United States’ most prominent sports figures, influenced the Civil Rights Era in the fight for equality.

War of 1812

Learn about the various causes of and outcomes of the War of 1812.

How I teach students about equality: only Smarties have the answer

PhD student Agnes Arnold-Foster talks about how distributing candy to students in various ways led to a discussion of equality and fairness.

Sorry to ask but … do women apologize more than men?

CNN correspondent Kelly Wallace discusses her use of the word “sorry, ” as well as its use in society in general.

Is Nature the Key to Rehabilitating Prisoners?

Read how outdoor outings can help released prisoners transition back into society.

How music benefits children

While scientific evidence linking music education to intelligence is mixed, psychologist Dawn Rose points to studies that indicate other successful human development.

Dispatches from the Jungle: The Writers Who Reformed America

Learn about five muckracking journalists who affected social change around the turn of the twentieth century.

After 41 years, Louisville’s youth theater stages all 38 plays by Shakespeare

The Commonwealth Theatre Center recently finished producing all of Shakespeare’s plays over the course of four decades. Read about the benefits of working on a Shakespeare production as a child or teenager.

Know Your Rights: What To Do If Your Rights Are Violated at a Demonstration or Protest

This informational guide from the American Civil Liberties Union outlines what is legal and not legal while engaging in the constitutional right to protest.

Thank Your Taxes

Law professor Adam Chodorow argues that a series of tax disputes is what eventually led to the formation of the United States.

Revenge really is sweet: study shows the mood-enhancing effect of retaliation

A recent study showed that people who chose to act aggressively toward another person after being socially rejected felt better afterward.

Tsunami: An interactive guide that could save your life

There is no way to prevent tsunamis, the powerful waves that can devastate coastal areas. But it is possible to prepare for them, and even get warnings when they are coming. Learn about the causes and effects of tsunamis, and how research can save lives when they strike.

Fear prompts teens to act impulsively

People react to threats and fear in different ways. Self-control can help avoid a dangerous confrontation. However, a new study suggests that teens’ brains are not wired to back down in the face of a threat.

Are decisions made in groups better than decisions made alone?

When you have to make an important decision, what do you do? Sometimes two heads are better than one, and sometimes they are worse. Find out how working in a group to make a decision can affect the outcome.

Syrians Speak Out Through Their Art

Civil war has torn the country of Syria apart for years. As the government and opposition forces fight, many civilians have been caught in the middle. Some artists are using their work to tell the world about the experiences of ordinary Syrians in this conflict.

Building a healthy community in ‘the nation’s salad bowl’

How many heroes do you know? It may be more than you think. Not all heroes are famous. Many work hard for important causes in their local communities. Sarah Ramirez is dedicated to helping people in her town eat healthier food.