Author Archives: Chandler Gifford

Literary thrills and chills: the rising trend of terror for teens

In this article, author Amy Lukavics explains the value she sees in horror fiction and argues that “true terror” should not have to be toned down for young adult readers.

Through August: Exploring hidden cost of Grand Coulee Dam

Read to find out about a 2015 exhibit at Washington State University that explored the consequences of the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam, the subject of Sherman Alexie’s poem, “The Powwow at the End of the World.”

Why being a foodie isn’t ‘elitist’

In this opinion piece, Eric Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation, outlines why sustainable farming is the opposite of elitist.

How Hate Works

Hatred is borne from many factors, both neurological and sociological; it can lead people to seek vengeance and leaders to implement large-scale atrocities such as the Holocaust.

Teens Vulnerable To Identity Theft, Financial Crimes And Impersonation

Children and teenagers can be targeted for identity theft and other “cybercrimes.” Read to learn about risky online behaviors and to get tips on how to avoid identity theft.

Jefferson Davis Statue Comes Down at University of Texas

Jefferson Davis never asked for a pardon for leading the government of the Confederacy in its rebellion against the United States. Statues of the Confederate president have become increasingly controversial in recent years, including one that was removed from the campus of the University of Texas in 2015.

How to Talk About America’s Newest Arrivals

In this article, Damon Darlin uses the New York Times’ word usage tool to measure the language used about immigrants during different times in history. Look at the charts to see the United States’ immigration rates and the terms used to describe the people who came to the country.

What’s next for the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things is a movement to make the objects around us, from umbrellas to traffic lights, internet capable. Learn about the technology that already exists and what the future holds.

Activism Or Slacktivism? How Social Media Hurts And Helps Student Activism

Listen to the radio piece to learn about “slacktivism,” or supporting a cause simply by “liking” it on social media, and how experts suggest turning it into real activism.

Victims Confront Offenders, Face To Face

Victims of crimes sometimes have a say in the cases’ outcomes in a process called restorative justice. Listen to this radio interview to hear more about how it works.

Debunking The Millennials’ Work Ethic “Problem”

In this article, activist Erica Williams considers some possible reasons for the widely held belief that members of the “millennial” generation have poor work ethic.

The Root: How Racism Tainted Women’s Suffrage

Read about Ida B. Wells’ fight to end the lynching of black people, a cause that stood in contrast to other suffrage leaders’ beliefs.

The historic women’s suffrage march on Washington

Watch this video to learn about the Women’s Suffrage Parade—the first mass protest for a woman’s right to vote.

Review: Girls Just Wanna Play ‘Mac Beth’

Click here to read a review of a 2019 adaptation of Macbeth that features an all-female cast and imagines how teenage schoolgirls might choose to perform Shakespeare’s play.

MIT’s new robot can identify things by sight and by touch

Researchers at MIT have developed a robot that is capable of identifying objects using a combination of sight and touch. Read to find out more about this new technology.

The World 9/11 Took From Us

The author of this opinion piece shares his perspective on how the world has changed as a result of the 9/11 attacks.

Oh Dear: Photos Show What Humans Have Done To The Planet

Photographers have captured the impact humans have made on nature in a series of deeply concerning pictures.

Racist words and acts, like the El Paso shooting, harm children’s health

In July of 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement warning that racism has a negative impact on the overall health of children and adolescents. Click this link to learn more.