Here are 18 facts about humpback whales that might surprise you. Fact #6 is a video that shows the ingenious way a dozen whales work together to herd fish.
Author Archives: Marianne Rafter
Biologists Could Soon Resurrect Extinct Species. But Should They?
Many species are endangered and near extinction, but lab scientists could save them. Is it the right thing to do? Read the article and think about what you might decide.
Why Are Shirt Buttons on Different Sides for Men and Women?
Read about some interesting theories related to fashion for men and women. Did nobility dictate the differences in fashion?
Video Feature: Apps to Cope and Help in a Disaster
During a natural disaster, a smartphone with the FEMA app can be a vital tool. Watch the video and read what help you can find on this app before, during, or after a disaster.
Flamingos Apply “Makeup” to Impress Mates
Everyone wants to look his or her best, even flamingos! Find out what scientists surmise about flamingo behavior.
Trash-mapping expedition sheds light on “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”
A garbage dump twice the size of Texas? In the Pacific Ocean? Find out what scientists and volunteers have discovered and what they are saying about this human-caused disaster.
Does Your Dog Really Love You?
Find out what news correspondent Anderson Cooper thinks about his dog’s intelligence and how little we know about dogs.
Report on Desegregation in the Schools of Alabama, September 9, 1963
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy announced the government’s intention to force Governor George Wallace to comply with the school desegregation order. Read this powerful speech about a decision that mattered to so many Americans.
The World’s Oldest Papyrus and What It Can Tell Us About the Great Pyramids
A recently discovered treasure trove of papyri tells us more about ancient Egyptian life and culture. Read what a travel journal found with the other papyri reveals about the lives of everyday workers during the time period when the Pyramids were built at Giza.
Robert Frost’s Christmas Cards
Although these greeting cards started as a way to celebrate the winter season, poet Robert Frost was encouraged to continue them as an annual holiday tradition. Find out which of his famous poems were used as the verses for these unique cards that are collectors’ items today.
What Is Fashion?
Why do we wear what we wear? How is fashion a way of making your voice heard? This article on fashion provides insights into these questions.
How to Survive an Avalanche
Learn about the warning signs of an impending avalanche and what to expect if such a disaster happens to you.
Letter from Paul Revere to Jeremy Belknap, circa 1798
Historical letters sometimes bring to light decisions that mattered. Read this article about Paul Revere’s letter summarizing events on the night of his famous ride.
The Life of the Buddha
Read about the events of the Buddha’s early life that lead him to preaching about a different way of living.
Ten Years Without a Hurricane Hit, Is Florida’s Lucky Streak About to End?
Newcomers to Florida might not be prepared to face a hurricane. This news report provides information about important preparations that people should make to deal with this natural disaster.
“Brave Man’s” glass bridge offers vertigo-inducing views
Would you walk across this bridge if it were made of glass? See how some tourists in China are crossing a glass bridge and facing their fear of height in this video.
Decision-Making is Still a Work in Progress for Teenagers
Have parents or teachers ever told you that you’re not old enough to decide? There are differences between adolescent brains and adult brains, so it might be true. Read about the study at the McLean Hospital Brain Imaging Center in Boston, Massachusetts, that used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare the activity of teenage brains to that of adults.
Langston Hughes: Biography
American poet, playwright, and novelist Langston Hughes was an influential contributor to the Harlem Renaissance. Discover how his voice expressed in writing the feelings and beauty of African American lives in the 1920s.
Floods, Fires, Storms are Fodder for Centuries of Poems
Poet and editor Jeffrey Yang reminds us how disasters can stimulate creativity. In this video he discusses a collection of poems about how we heal after disasters and how the beauty and power of nature can help.
Are Cats Smarter Than Dogs?
Dogs’ brain structures are larger than cats’. Read why some scientists state that brain size is not the determining factor for animal intelligence.