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. Animals

    Crabs play defense, save corals

    In 2008, an outbreak of large starfish killed off much of a coral reef. But some patches were spared. New data point to why: Mini crabs had fended off the big attackers.

  2. Environment

    Will water woes leave Americans thirsty?

    In the United States, people often assume that clean water will always be available. But factors ranging from global warming to pollution have begun threatening drinking-water supplies.

  3. Animals

    Wind farms: Restaurants for seals?

    Scientists have tracked harbor seals visiting the turbines of ocean wind farms. The predators may be drawn by fish that make their homes in the artificial reefs created by the manmade structures.

  4. Fossils

    Fossil hunting can start as child’s play

    Paleontology isn’t just for professionals. You don’t even need to be a teen to sometimes make startling — and scientifically important — contributions.

  5. Fossils

    Explainer: How a fossil forms

    Minerals can replace any bone, shell or once-living tissue and also fill in the spaces between these hard parts, birthing a fossil.