
Science Sunday: Zombie (Ant) Apocalypse
Sometimes, fact is much, much stranger than fiction. In this case, nature has got most horror movie writers beat, no question. Because deep in the Thailand rainforest, mind-control fungi are creating an army of zombie bugs. And the infection is spreading, as spores erupt from the hordes. If it was a …

Suspension of Disbelief: Watchmen
Suspension of Disbelief is a weekly feature, in which we review movies, books, TV shows, and other popular culture for the skeptical teen. Book: Watchmen Genre: Speculative, Fantasy, Superhero Fiction, Author: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons Rating: Four out of Five Smiley Face Badges Review: Graphic novels aren’t really my thing. I have nothing …

ScienceSunday: Dino Feathers
Last week, a news story broke with the headline: “All Dinosaurs May have had Feathers“. Gone is the world of scaly lizard-like creatures, roaming through the Mesozoic. Instead, giant fuzz-balls munched on ferns and bird-like creatures hunted the unsuspecting plant-eaters, filling the landscape with bits of color. What caused this …

Suspension of Disbelief: Neverwhere
Suspension of Disbelief is a weekly feature, in which we review movies, books, TV shows, and other popular culture for the skeptical teen. Book: Neverwhere Genre: Fantasy, Fiction Author: Neil Gaiman Rating: Three out of Five Black Keys Review: The story of Neverwhere is the story of London Below, the shadow world existing …

ScienceSunday: Flying on an Airplane
Over the past week, I've spent approximately 16 hours on airplanes. Naturally, in the tedium of being trapped inside one, I became curious how they worked. I mean, I know there's something about aerodynamics and lift and something else, but somehow this giant hollow bullet with wings is able to …

Science Profile: Make Your Own Molecule
Clara Lazen has an honor that few 10-year-olds share: she is a co-author on a scientific paper, and the discoverer of a molecule new to science. And it all started because of a 5-grade class assignment at Border Star Montessori School in Kansas City, Missouri. Kenneth Boehr, Lazen’s teacher, had …

Speak Your Mind: Citizen Science on a Smartphone
I recently got a smartphone for the first time, and, of course, now have the capability to do apps. Of these, my favorite so far have been the Project Noah and the Galaxy Zoo applications. Project Noah allows me to take pictures of animals and plants I see around me, …

“To Love Others, You Must First Love Yourself”
Today is Valentine’s Day, or for those without a romantic partner, Single’s Awareness Day. However, Laci Green suggests a different use for Valentine’s Day: instead of focusing on others, maybe it’s a day, just like every other, to celebrate life and love yourself. Laci Green is self-described as ” an uber skeptical social science …