Author Archives: Mikki Gibson

Movies may cause special effects on the body

Watching movies doesn’t just affect our brains; it also affects our bodies. Find out how the effects of horror movies compare with those of other genres.

The Diary of Anne Frank Introduction

Why is Anne Frank’s diary so popular, over 7 decades after it was written? What makes it different from other books written during or about the Holocaust? It turns out it’s a lot more than just a diary.

6 Things to Know About Gen Z

If you’re reading this, you’re probably part of “Gen Z.” Find out how you compare with the generations before you, like the Millennials, and ask yourself whether you think this list is accurate.

Robert Smalls: A Daring Escape

An enslaved man named Robert Smalls went undercover for one of the most daring escapes of all time. Find out how he saved himself and saved dozens of other enslaved people as well!

Stuck Between Two Cultures

Natalie Cardenas is like a lot of teenagers in the U.S. today — she feels wedged between two cultures. Natalie feels a strong connection to both her Peruvian heritage and her American identity, but somehow still feels a bit rejected by both.

The Hidden Benefits of Hard Work

You may have heard that hard work builds character — but how so? Read about some benefits of hard work that you may not have considered before.

50 Business Ideas for Teens

So what if you’re too young to be hired for a regular job? Strike out on your own with some of these possibilities!

8 books that wouldn’t exist without Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’

Learn about some of the literary offspring of one of the earliest horror stories.

The Holocaust Train That Led Jews to Freedom Instead of Death

In the waning days of World War II, a group of prisoners from Bergen-Belsen did something that seemed unthinkable: They boarded a train to leave the camp.

6 Southern Unionist Strongholds During the Civil War

It’s easy to think of the two sides in the Civil War as monoliths, in which everyone supported the side where they lived. But many Southerners opposed secession and even fought as part of the Union Army.

A beautiful voice and cultural bridge

How did a young African American boy from Oakland become a featured performer in Chinese opera? Find out what the cultures share.

The distracted teenage brain

Maybe you’ve played a game for so long that it wasn’t even fun anymore, but you just couldn’t put it down. A psychological study looks at why adult brains and teen brains respond differently to disappearing rewards.

Linda Brown obituary

At age 9, Linda Brown was at the center of a landmark school desegregation fight. Learn about her life and accomplishments.

How frigid polar vortex blasts are connected to global warming

The weather extremes associated with our rapidly changing climate sometimes seem paradoxical. Here’s the explanation for how global warming can put some locations into a deep freeze.

J.K. Rowling wrote a new fairy tale

The author of the Harry Potter series threw herself a birthday party that featured a “lost manuscript” displayed in an unexpected way.

Behold, the power of a good idea!

If you attend a school with a Student Council, consider getting involved! Here are some ways to make a big impact in student government.

Cross-cultural bonding leads to higher creativity

Read about a recent study that links in-depth cross-cultural relationships with higher scores on measures of creative thinking.

Dolphins often seem to want to befriend us — do they know something we don’t?

Even when it doesn’t seem to benefit them, dolphins will often go to great lengths to help and interact with humans. Read about some well-known examples and possible reasons for this behavior.