It is difficult to predict who will succeed at long-term tasks. In this talk, Angela Duckworth argues that a person’s persistence, or “grit,” is what will help them overcome challenges.
Tag Archives: Science & Nature
Social Insects Inspire Design of Autonomous Robots
Robotics may seem to owe little to nature and everything to technology. But engineers have used the actions of social insects to guide the movements of robots that are not directly controlled by humans. Read this article to discover what robots can learn from ants.
Eureka!
“One sometimes finds what one is not looking for,” said Alexander Fleming, whose chance observation of a contaminated experiment led to the the world’s first antibiotic. This Smithsonian article discusses inventions and discoveries that centered on a flash of insight in a mind prepared to see what it wasn’t looking for.
Hurricane Katrina
What contributed to the devastating power of Hurricane Katrina? History® provides text, videos, and links on the formation and impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Agreeing to Disagree
It may be easier to have a conversation with someone who already agrees with you, but it’s better for your brain to talk with—and listen to—someone who disagrees with you. In this article, Art Markman, Ph.D., a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas, discusses the practical applications of psychological research on disagreement.
Survival of the Friendliest
In this short video, Brian Hare explores the importance of friendliness in the animal and human worlds.
Thinking of Home Makes It Harder to Learn a Foreign Language
Changing from using one language to another can be a challenge, one that is made even more difficult by reminders of one’s home country. This article by Emily Underwood explains why.
Pursuing the Impossible, and Coming Out on Top
Free climbers Kevin Jorgesen and Tommy Caldwell reached the summit of El Capitan’s Dawn Wall in Yosemite after over 18 days of hard work. Many consider it the toughest, most challenging rock climb in the world. Read about it here.
Are Pigs as Smart as Dogs, and Does It Really Matter?
An opinion columnist explores the idea of whether we should think about how smart the kinds of animals we eat might be.
Animation basics: The optical illusion of motion
This video explains how a human characteristic called ‘persistence of vision’ is the key to motion in animation.
Imagine a world without fossil fuels
Can you imagine a world where humans aren’t reliant on fossil fuels? Such a thing may seem impossible, but Christiana Figueres believes this ambitious goal is not only possible, but within reach.
Oceanic Trouble? Summon These Aquanauts!
The aquanauts at the Florida International University Aquarius research laboratory, an underwater lab, are working to save the world’s oceans. Watch a video about the importance of their work.
The allure of fluorescence in the ocean
Some marine animals light up the dark ocean with fluorescence. Watch the video to see how it works and what purpose it serves.
What color is Tuesday? Exploring synesthesia
What would you do if music made you see colors or numbers had a taste? Synesthesia occurs when two senses are combined. Watch a video about this amazing neurological trait.
Fractal Patterns in Nature and Art Are Aesthetically Pleasing and Stress-Reducing
The patterns that appear in nature not only inspire art, but have health benefits as well.
Yes, People Can Edit The Genome In Their Garage. Can They Be Regulated?
This article outlines both the risky and the thoughtful genetic research currently happening outside federal regulations.
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.
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.
Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot make short film on climate crisis – video
Watch this quick public service announcement with world-renowned activist Greta Thunberg as it highlights aspects of her personal quest to inspire others to take action in preserving our climate.
A Decade Later, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Has Left an Abyssal Wasteland
Discover the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill years later and what these adverse effects have wrought on the local marine life.