Sarah Zielinski

Managing editor, Science News for Students

Sarah Zielinski is a science writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering a wide breadth of science, from astronomy to zoology. A former editor at Smithsonian magazine, she has been published in Scientific American, Discover, National Geographic News, Science and Slate. She received the DCSWA 2010 Science News Brief Award, and an honorable mention in 2017. She has a B.A. in biological sciences from Cornell University and an M.A. in journalism through New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. She has two cats, Oscar and Saffir.

All Stories by Sarah Zielinski

  1. Microbes

    Let’s learn about microbes

    There may be a billion species of microorganisms on Earth — but scientists have only discovered a small fraction of them.

  2. Animals

    Let’s learn about dinosaurs’ fearsome neighbors

    Dinosaurs may get much of our attention, but there were plenty of other interesting critters during the Age of Reptiles, including our mammal ancestors.

  3. Animals

    Let’s learn about whales and dolphins

    Whales, dolphins and porpoises are all cetaceans — mammals that live in water and have a streamlined body similar to a fish.

  4. Earth

    Let’s learn about lightning

    Around 100 times a second, every hour of every day, lightning strikes somewhere on Earth. It’s beautiful — and deadly.

  5. Animals

    How bees play telephone to form a swarm

    Honeybees use pheromones and flapping wings to tell each other where to find the queen — so they can all be together.

  6. Planets

    Let’s learn about Jupiter

    This gas giant is home to a massive storm that has lasted hundreds of years. It’s also surrounded by dozens of moons.

  7. Physics

    Let’s learn about bubbles

    Bubbles are a great way to while away a beautiful summer day. Knowing a bit of science can help you blow the biggest and the best bubbles.

  8. Animals

    Let’s learn about domestic cats

    Cats rule the internet — and many of our homes. To get here was a journey of many thousands of years.

  9. Earth

    Let’s learn about earthquakes

    Dozens of quakes happen every day, but most aren’t big enough for people to notice.

  10. Chemistry

    Let’s learn about forensic science

    Crime scene investigators analyze evidence with science, to connect criminals to crimes. And it’s often slower and different from what you see on TV.

  11. Microbes

    Let’s learn about microbial communities

    Communities of bacteria and other single-celled critters are all around us, on us — even inside us.

  12. Plants

    Let’s learn about trees

    These long-lived woody plants provide shade for people, homes for animals — and help protect the planet against climate change.