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.
Science & Nature
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.
Sinister! Threats from the Left Are Scarier
Source: LiveScience
New research shows that people are more scared of threats that come from the left. Read about the experiments conducted which prove the theory, and the ideas around why it is so.
Underdogs: The Bloodhound’s Amazing Sense of Smell
Source: PBS
Read about the amazing bloodhound, whose nose consists of approximately 230 million olfactory cells, or “scent receptors”—which makes them perfect tracker dogs.
Survival Training, Ferret Style
Source: Smithsonian
Wild animals such as weasels survive by following their instincts. But what about animals raised in captivity? Endangered ferrets in one breeding project are taught the instincts they need before being released into the wild.
Fukushima nuclear crisis continues to unfold
Source: PBS
An earthquake and tsunami in 2011 caused heavy damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. Three reactors melted down, and radiation escaped into the air and water. Watch a report about how workers are still trying to contain the damage.
How to make someone fall in love with you, according to science
Source: The Week
Sometimes it seems there are just about as many theories on why we fall in love as there are couples in love. But statistics have shown that certain factors play a huge part in what attracts us to certain people and what keeps relationships strong.
The Girl Who Swims With Sharks
Source: Smithsonian
20-year-old Madison Stewart is on a quest to save sharks. Though they might not look like they need protecting, many species of sharks are in danger because of humans engaging in controversial practices and markets. Stewart hopes to change peoples’ minds in time to save these magnificent fish.
Using nature’s genius in architecture
Source: TED
Humans can learn a lot from nature: In this TED talk, learn how architects are imitating natural processes and structures to create more efficient buildings.