Science & Society | Science News for Students

Science & Society

a sign warning of pesticide useage in English and Spanish in a crop field

The United States lags behind other agricultural nations in banning potentially harmful pesticides, a new study suggests.

Pgiam/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Agriculture
 
Jul 11, 2019
U.S. farmers still use many pesticides that are banned elsewhere
a photo of a fireworks finale at night, people in the foreground are taking picutres with their smart devices

People take photos as a fireworks extravaganza reaches its climax.

sert/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Pollution
 
Jun 27, 2019
Holiday fireworks can bring extreme pollution, India finds
a photo of hands cuffed behind the back of a teen

Teens caught in the U.S. justice system may face conditions that can mess with healthy brain development.

SAKDAWUT14/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Brain
 
Jun 26, 2019
The U.S. prison system can harm young brains, scientist warns
860_math_muse_math_art.png

"Grid," by math artist Henry Segerman, explores mathematical concepts using projections. This 3-D printed sculpture is a patterned sphere. When light shines through the openings from above, the shadows form a square grid.

H. Segerman

Culture
 
Jun 6, 2019
For these artists, math is their muse
a girl and her mother sitting and talking in scenic mountain lake setting

Middle school students can sway their parents’ views about climate change if they talk about the topic and share what they’ve been learning in school.

Laikwunfai/E+/Getty Images

Psychology
 
May 29, 2019
Students can sway how their parents view climate change
a Syrian boy sitting in a refugee camp with his head on his hand

A Syrian boy sits in a refugee camp after civil war destroyed towns and rural areas throughout his country. Some scientists believe climate stresses could have played a role in triggering or worsening the Syrian conflict.

cloverphoto/iStock/Getty Images plus

Science & Society
 
May 23, 2019
Could climate change worsen global conflict?
860_LGBTQ_diversity_STEM.png

Society used to think of sexuality as just having two options: men who like women, and women who like men. But now it's recognized that sexuality is far more complex, defined by what individuals feel they are and the different people to whom they are attracted. The good news for students today: There is a place for all of these people in science and engineering.

marrio31/iStock/Getty Images Plus; adapted by L. Steenblik Hwang

STEM Careers
 
May 14, 2019
Proud to be different in STEM
an photo of hnds using a smarphone with an illustration of data floating above the screen

“There is no 100-percent-secure software,” says Craig Williams. “It does not exist.” He is one of many cybersecurity experts working to protect people’s data and devices. But everyone should take steps to protect themselves.

PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images

Computers & Electronics
 
May 9, 2019
You can fight back against cyberattacks
a photo of refugees being assisted by the Red Cross after flooding in Mozambique

In March, Cyclone Idai struck Mozambique, causing widespread flooding. It also sparked an outbreak of cholera.

Climate Centre/Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Health
 
May 2, 2019
Warning: Climate change can harm your health
a photo of a Myanmar farmer woman carrying two baskets from a shoulder pole

One feature of Earth’s changing climate is warmer temperatures. This extra heat will hurt outdoor workers by reducing how much work they can get done. 

Nikada/E+/Getty Images

Health
 
May 2, 2019
Workers won’t work as well in a very warm world