The 1954 Supreme Court decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka opened the doors of previously segregated schools to African American students. Read about how far we still are from realizing the promise of that ruling.
Author Archives: Mikki Gibson
The ‘America effect’: How immigrants fall crazy in love
This opinion piece, written in 2012, explores how moving to the United States changed the views of one immigrant family.
Novel Finding: Reading Literary Fiction Improves Empathy
One way we find common ground with others is by imagining ourselves in their circumstances. Reading novels and stories that put us into a character’s thoughts can develop our ability to make connections in the real world.
When fear is a weapon: How terror attacks influence mental health
A psychiatrist analyzes the long-term effects of terrorist attacks.
Decision-Making Strategies
When you need to make a choice, do you go with your gut, or do you carefully evaluate each option? Read about several strategies and the types of decisions they fit best.
American Roots of the Indian Independence Movement
It’s well known that the American Civil Rights movement drew on the ideas that helped India break free from British rule. But those ideas in turn stem from American influence.
How Dictators Come to Power in a Democracy
A conservative columnist looks to Nazi Germany for lessons that might apply closer to home.
Why exploration matters—and why the government should pay for it
Neil deGrasse Tyson makes the case for doubling the small budget allotted to NASA.
Fighting big farm pollution with a tiny plant
When fertilizer runs off into streams, it can cause major water-quality problems. One teenager found a surprisingly simple solution.
Birdbrain Breakthrough
It was once thought that we developed all of the brain cells we would ever have in the womb. However, that belief has been upended, in part through the study of birds.
The look of love: How humans and dogs bond
If you feel like you and your dog love each other, it isn’t just your imagination. Research shows that levels of a bonding hormone spike in both dogs and their humans when they’re together.
‘Writing Was Always an Act of Losing Control’: An Interview with Etgar Keret
Get this Israeli author’s perspective on how writing has helped him connect with others from around the globe.
Nature Matters
Of course humans need nature, but here is a collection of people’s personal stories about why nature matters in their lives. Click the links to find out more.
Wilma Mankiller
Learn about the challenges and successes of a prominent advocate for the rights of women and Native Americans.
Your Worst Nightmares: 10 Spine-Tingling Phobias
Watch these short videos that explore common fears, if you dare.
Citizen scientists contribute to dog research
What if you could advance scientific knowledge just by playing with your dog?
Beautiful Plastic Sculptures Tell Ugly Story of Human Garbage in the Ocean
In the middle of the Pacific Ocean swirls a human-made disaster: a giant patch of garbage that has devastating effects on sea life. Learn how artists are creating vivid reminders of this problem in an effort to inspire solutions.
Greek Mythology
From “how and why” stories to legends and myths about gods and goddesses, Greek mythology helped explain the world to people.
Retellings of ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ ranked
Shakespeare’s great tragedy of love has been performed countless times, and each new generation gets its own film version of the play. Here is one critic’s opinion of which movie versions stand out.
Experiments show how quickly we adjust to seeing everything upside-down
Imagine spending every minute of every day seeing everything upside down. Simple tasks like pouring a glass of juice would be far from automatic, but only at first.