Pope Francis died peacefully on April 21, 2025. He was 88 years old and had served as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in … Read more
Volcanologists [scientists who study volcanoes and volcanic activity] have reported an increase in earthquake activity at Mount Spurr since April of 2024. Mount Spurr is an active volcano located near Anchorage, Alaska—the state’s largest city. … Read more
Are you wondering what happened to these trees? No—they haven’t been painted. This is the rainbow eucalyptus tree, or Mindanao gum (Eucalyptus deglupta). Its bark has natural stripes of brilliant colors. The rainbow eucalyptus is … Read more
The history of Ireland stretches back thousands of years. Where do you even start? Let’s explore three important eras that helped define the nation. 1. Celtic Ireland Long ago, when the Roman Empire controlled much … Read more
Names of places may seem permanent, but they’re not. Did you know that New York City has had several names? The area that we know as Manhattan today was originally inhabited by the Lenape. They … Read more
Did you know that Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American film star? She lived from 1905 to 1961. Her given name was Wong Liu Tsong, but she used the name Anna May Wong … Read more
If you see this insect, stop what you are doing and smash it. Why? It is an invasive species called the spotted lanternfly, or SLF, that is threatening important plants in the United States. Invasive … Read more
Have you ever noticed that your eyes hurt or get tired after looking at screens for a long time? Some eyeglasses claim to protect our eyes from damaging light coming from these screens. Are these … Read more
March is a big month for festivals in Texas, with over 100 celebrations happening across the state. These events take place in big cities and small towns. They celebrate many things, like local history, music, … Read more
Elephants are on the march—and they may be coming to a city near you! You might be wondering what kind of havoc they will cause as they stampede through streets and parks. But don’t worry. … Read more
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