Living beyond our means and having an attachment to possessions is something we’ve become accustomed to. We can put a false value on owning things, imagining a happiness that simply cannot be obtained through materialism.
Author Archives: annettebrennan
Ai Weiwei Alcatraz tour: Legos, protest songs and prison cells
Although detained in China for being critical of the Chinese government, Ai Weiwei still manages to create art supporting human rights and free speech. Read this photo essay about a visit to Alcatraz, a former military prison, and view Weiwei’s art made of Legos that speaks up for people from around the world who were imprisoned or exiled from their countries.
Landslide Safety
Read through all four tabs for information on being prepared, responding during, and recovering after a landslide.
Are Infants Afraid of Heights?
Infants are afraid of strangers, but what about heights? When do people start to have fear of heights?
Cesar Chavez
Labor organizer Cesar Chavez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for working to improve working and living conditions for migrant farm workers. Learn how he found the courage to speak out, organize a farm workers’ union, and lead nonviolent marches and boycotts of California table grape growers.
A Volunteer Placement in Sri Lanka Changed My Life
A university graduate talks about the confidence and independence she gained through volunteering in Sri Lanka.
Can you be scared to death?
The fear of spiders, heights, claustrophobia, and the fear of needles are the most common fears we experience. Read about how the fight-or flight-response affects the heart when we’re scared.
What Americans Can Learn From Other Food Cultures
Food joins people together within and across cultures. American food is slowly becoming more localized over time like French, Mexican, Chinese and Italian cuisine which is made from the produce of the region and with ingredients to hand at a particular season.
Teen Climber Survives Deadly Everest Avalanche
Matt Moniz was named “Adventurer of the Year” in 2010 by National Geographic when he was just 12! At 17 years old he realized his dream to climb Mount Everest but was also caught up in a deadly avalanche.
Anne Frank was captured 70 years ago today. But what if she had escaped the Nazis?
Although she died in a concentration camp when she was 15, Anne Frank’s thoughts and feelings are alive and influence many writers today. Learn about the contemporary play and the novels that are part of Anne’s legacy.
How to Start a Business Before You Graduate
Got an idea that you’d like to turn into a job? Get advice from ten top Kidpreneurs on making the most of opportunities, taking advantage of the many free resources at hand, and putting every minute of the day to good use.
Anne Frank: 10 beautiful quotes from The Diary of a Young Girl
This article appeared in January on Holocaust Memorial Day 2015, whose theme was “keep the memory alive.” Every time someone reads Anne Frank’s diary, that is what happens. What is your favorite quote from Anne Frank’s diary?
Zombie Neuroscience: Inside the Brains of the Walking Dead
What goes on inside the mind of a zombie? Two neuroscientists who are also avid zombie fans speculate about why zombies behave and act as they do. Based on their knowledge of the brain they explore some interesting reasons for their slow shuffle and poor coordination!
Graduating from high school: Tears, fears and peers
The end of high school brings a mixed bag of emotions and feelings, excitement and fear.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Statue of Liberty
Did you know that this famous lady could have ended up in Boston or Philadelphia, or further afield? These ten interesting facts might surprise you.
How One Observant Muslim Persuaded Her Parents to Let Her Attend Princeton
The eldest daughter of six children in an observant Pakistani Muslim family has to persuade her parents that accepting her place at her dream school – Princeton – will not contradict her faith.
See Jewish Life Before the Holocaust Through a Newly Released Digital Archive
Russian-born Jew Roman Vishniac’s prints and negatives depicting Jewish life before the Holocaust are published for the first time in an online photo database. The hope is to gather information from the public, such as dates, locations, and identification of people from that time.
Why teenagers take risks
In this podcast Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, puts forward some scientific reasons about why teenagers take risks.
Inside the Endurance Athlete’s Mind
As well as being in great physical condition, persistence, curiosity, and a lack of fear are the most common personality traits that connect athletes who run marathons and endure the toughest physical challenges. Read to learn more about these astounding athletes.
Teen Inventor Alexis Lewis on Youth and the Innovative Spirit
Get inspired by this teenager, who applies her ingenuity to solve practical problems in lifesaving ways.