A museum educator gives some practical tips for viewing art and refutes the idea that museum visitors need to study ahead of time or follow a prescribed approach.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
Invasive Species
When humans unknowingly interact with and alter the natural world, the consequences can be devastating. Find out how humans introduce plants and animals to ecosystems that aren’t prepared for them and what effects these invasive species have.
Journey to Mars
Like any quest, the journey to Mars will require careful planning and many intermediate steps. Check out this timeline of stages in the process of making humans independent from our home planet.
The Chilling True Story Behind the Pied Piper of Hamelin
Where do fairy tales and legends come from? At least one well-known tale is rooted in a real historic event.
Guerilla Gardener Sparks Food Revolution in South Central LA
A few years ago, Ron Finley decided to change his neighborhood’s lack of healthy foods. After an initial negative response from city authorities, his work is now educating and inspiring others to make positive changes through gardening.
You’re Wrong! I’m Right!
It might be more comfortable to only hear opinions that we already agree with, but by failing to listen to each other, we’re not only increasing the political divide in America; we’re making ourselves less smart.
The Storm After the Storm: Disaster’s Mental Toll
Survivors of natural disasters have more to deal with than simply rebuilding lost homes. Many will also suffer from PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder.
How weaponizing the body’s immune system can deliver a cure for cancer
A cancer diagnosis was once a death sentence, but researchers have developed a whole toolbox of treatments and preventative measures in recent decades. Learn about one of the most promising approaches to stopping this deadly disease.
Your Gloomy Friends Don’t Want Cheering Up
Friendship can provide support during difficult times. But the best way to help a friend depends on that friend’s outlook.
Spring Awakening: How an Egyptian Revolution Began on Facebook
Read this review of Revolution 2.0 to learn about Wael Ghonim’s experience and influence during the 2011 Arab Spring.
Toil and Trouble: A Troubling Turn on Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Shakespeare and puppets may not seem like a natural combination, but this theater review makes the case that puppets are the perfect metaphor for the couple at the forefront of The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Empathize with Your Political Foe
An opinion columnist gives his take on how finding common ground will help the United States move forward, together.
How a paramedic’s split-second decision may have saved a Parkland student’s life
With some decisions, we don’t have the luxury of getting all the facts and considering all the possible consequences. Here’s a split-second decision with a happy ending.
A better way to talk about love
Metaphors for love tend toward the negative—from “falling” in love to being love-“struck” or “madly” in love. Writer Mandy Len Catron explores these metaphors and proposes a more positive alternative.
How your worst fears stack up against reality
Why do people generally consider flying more dangerous than driving, when far more people are killed in car crashes than airline disasters? An Australian analysis of summertime fears helps you understand your own worries.
The Power of Journaling
Find out about the benefits of expressing yourself in writing, and get tips on how to get started on your own journal and get the most out of it.
What Do Cats Think About Us? You May Be Surprised
Read this interview with a cat expert to find out why our furry friends act the way they do toward us.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr. to us, 50 years later?
On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., authors, activists, and historians share their views of his legacy.
The Rohingya Crisis
Get an overview of the injustices faced by the group of people considered by many to be the world’s most persecuted minority.
The science of choking under pressure—and how to avoid it
What makes an elite athlete fail just at the moment they’ve been training for since childhood? Read about the causes of “choking” and ways to prevent it.