today i learned (til)
What’s Making That Smell? The Chemistry Behind Common Scents
The Science of Smell
Of the five senses, scientists understand the least about smell. We recognize scents when small airborne molecules stimulate receptors in the...
The Science of Sharing Information: The A, B, Ts of Storytelling
And, the explosion of information across scientific and technical fields over the past few decades has created a world overflowing with data. Scientific publications,...
Genetic Engineering: Woolld you, or woolldn’t you?
Imagine a tiny mouse with long, golden-brown fur that looks like it belongs on a woolly mammoth! As of a couple months ago, you...
Vertigo: Living like you’re on a perpetual rollercoaster
From ages 6-10, my uncle took my cousin and I to Navy Pier every summer. It’s July, school is out, the sun is shining,...
Privacy in the Age of Surveillance
In the digital age, the lines between public and private have blurred. Our every click, swipe, and purchase leaves a trail of data, meticulously...
Can Algorithms Deliver Justice?
While scales of justice have long been a symbol of fairness and impartiality, that has never been completely accurate. Racial, gender, and class has...
A science communicator takes a communications class?!
Even though I have been involved with the STEMComm VIP team for almost four full years now, I have never taken the time to...
Dragon’s Beard Candy: A Math-Based Art
Dragon's Beard Candy, also known as "Chinese Cotton Candy," is a prime example of the masterful blending of culinary creativity and traditional culture. This...
Virtual Reality in Education: Revolutionizing Learning Experiences
Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as technology with the potential to change education in the future. VR's immersive and interactive experiences are redefining traditional...
Maximizing Sleep Cycles for Optimal Well-Being: The Key 90 Minutes
Given its critical importance to our health and well-being, sleep is an essential and fundamental aspect of our lives. Our heart, immune system, metabolism,...