Good Art Is Popular Because It’s Good. Right?
Source: NPR
In an effort to find out why certain pieces of art are successful, a Princeton professor designed a study that concluded that chance has a lot to do with it.
Science & Nature
How Smart Is An Octopus?
Source: PBS
Dogs, dolphins, and parrots are known to show intelligent behavior, but now the octopus is being studied too. Watch the unusual actions that are making researchers take a closer look at these weird underwater creatures. Then read about the intelligent actions observed in several other animals.
Decade-Old Rover Adventure Continues on Mars and Earth
Source: NASA
The rovers Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars in 2004. Ten years later, Opportunity is still exploring. Learn about the team behind the rovers, and what they have accomplished.
Can Phobias Be Cured in Our Sleep?
Source: National Geographic
Read about a new study suggests we can train our brain to overcome our fears while we sleep.
Why are there so many arches at Arches?
Source: National Park Service
Arches National Park has the densest concentration of natural stone arches in the world. With over 2,000 documented arches in the park, we find out how did so many arches form?
Why do we see illusions?
Source: TED Ed
How do optical illusions fool us? Watch as Mark Changizi explains how the brain interprets straight lines as curves and sees motion in still images.
Microbes at Work
Source: University of Utah
The tiniest organisms are the most essential to sustaining life on earth. Discover the many ways in which we depend on microbes.
How Wilderness Survival Kits Work
Source: How Stuff Works
For a hiker lost in the wilderness, packing the right supplies is a matter of life and death. Find out what’s most important to carry along to ensure survival and a safe return home.
Artful Animals
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
Through the years, African artists have crafted animal artifacts as symbols of specific ideas and traits. Explore the many links on this site to view some artifacts and to discover how the traits of various animals play a key role in African folktales.
Hurricane Katrina
Source: History
In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, causing widespread flooding in New Orleans and killing many people. Revisit the experience of the storm and learn about how people responded in the aftermath.