With each new gadget, tech companies declare that everything has changed. Whether that’s true will remain to be seen, of course. Looking back, though, it’s far easier to see clearly what discoveries and inventions really did change everything. In this fascinating 10-part series, James Burke examines the advances that altered our world.
If you were walking in the park, talking on a cell phone, you’d notice a clown riding by on a unicycle, right? The surprising answer is, not necessarily. On this multimedia page, award-winning science reporter Alix Spiegel explores the phenomenon of inattentional blindness, in which we miss seeing something obvious but unexpected.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps Americans prepare for, protect against, and recover from disasters. Visit FEMA’s site to learn what you should do before, during, and after an earthquake, flood, hurricane, volcanic eruption, tsunami, or even a bit of bad space weather. Remember that it never hurts to be prepared!
Human beings make and use tools, create art, and use language in wonderful ways, which shows that we’re mighty intelligent. But we’re not alone: chimps, dolphins, elephants, pigs, dogs, cats, squirrels, crows, and even squid are pretty smart, too. Check out this site to learn more.
We know dolphins are smart. In some studies, dolphins come in just behind humans in terms of brain power. Now researchers have discovered that dolphins use names for each other and have individual identities. Read this article to find out how these amazing marine mammals communicate with one another.
In 1910, two separate expeditions set out to be the first to reach the South Pole. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen’s expedition was successful, and Robert Scott’s expedition from England tragically fell short of its goal. Read about the great risk these men undertook and the price they had to pay for taking such risks.
Have you ever wondered whether night vision goggles really work? They do—find out how in this informative article.
Scientists assert that climate change is inevitable. The good news, however, is that humans can adapt to it. Read this article to learn one writer’s opinion about how we can do that.
Astronomers like to think our solar system has remained more or less the same for billions of years. However, in studying the spectacles of Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons, some researchers are challenging that notion.
Bees play a critical role in the natural world, but they are mysteriously disappearing from their hives. Learn more about Colony Collapse Disorder and about what scientists are trying to do about it.
What would it be like to travel to another solar system? Former astronaut Mae Jemison, along with an organization called Icarus Interstellar, recently won a large government grant to create a business plan for interstellar travel. How soon might we be traveling to the sun’s nearest neighbor? Read this article to find out.
Adventurers have been exploring unknown parts of the world for centuries, but there is still one challenge unmet: crossing Antarctica in the winter. Sir Ranulph Fiennes has put together a team (and some fancy technology) to do just that. Read about this journey that many think is impossible, and browse the site to learn more about the expedition.
In today’s world, who would have thought that farming could unite those living in bustling urban areas? Find out how some city dwellers are coming together to feed themselves with locally grown fruits and vegetables.
If horror movies are so scary, why do people like them? Discover why people enjoy being scared out of their wits.
Did you know there are more than 2,000 natural arches in Arches National Park? Or that there are more geysers and hot springs at Yellowstone National Park than anywhere else on Earth? Explore this National Geographic site to find out what makes these places so special.
Worldwide, the trade of illegal wildlife is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The animals can be sold as pets, food, or decorations. At the World Wildlife Federation’s website, you can read about the causes of these crimes and their impact.
Do you think you are ready for a disaster? Do you know what to do to keep your home and family safe? Visit this interactive site to help you learn how to prepare a disaster kit, make an emergency plan, and be informed about the kind of disasters that could happen in your region.
