Mar. 13, 2013
The Dish on Locusts
by The Bug Chicks
Last week, parts of the Middle East experienced something we've probably all heard of: a locust plague.
Mar. 07, 2013
The Future of Women's History
by The Bug Chicks
We may never make history, but each week we teach young women who could, particularly in the sciences.
Mar. 07, 2013
Don't Miss This Comet!
by Ira Flatow
Visible With the Naked Eye
Feb. 20, 2013
Open Invitation to Lamar Smith, House Science Committee Chairman: Accepted
by Ira Flatow
Science Friday invites Chairman Lamar Smith to discuss technology that will track objects such as asteroids that threaten Earth.
Feb. 13, 2013
Entomology in One Word
by The Bug Chicks
We asked scientists from every discipline in entomology to describe the field in one word.
Feb. 12, 2013
Battle of the Electric Cars: "Hydrogen Sucks," Says Elon Musk
by Ira Flatow
War of the Currents Redux: Fuel Cells vs Batteries
Jan. 29, 2013
Flatow File: Spider Webs, Tractor Beams, and Beer
by Ira Flatow
This week, I'm focusing on some really geeky -- I should say Benjie* -- research that caught my eye. Be ready for some gorgeous graphics and hi-tech talk.
Jan. 23, 2013
The Scorpion & the Bully
by The Bug Chicks
Being different isn't easy.
Jan. 22, 2013
Flatow File: Water on Mars, Sea Creatures, NFL Concussions
by Ira Flatow
Once more, lots of intriguing stories making the news this week. Here are a few of my favorites.
Jan. 09, 2013
Got Kids? Make a Video!
by The Bug Chicks
What better way to teach research, writing, and presentation skills than with a video production class?
Jan. 03, 2013
I May Have Found My Bulb!
by Ira Flatow
For years I've been searching for the best light bulb, and I may have found it.
Jan. 02, 2013
Pink Katydids
by The Bug Chicks
Some genetic mutations are beautiful!
Dec. 19, 2012
Happy Holidays!
by The Bug Chicks
We wanted to thank all the readers of the Bug Chick's blog for a great year with a free digital coloring sheet of an armoured ground cricket!
Dec. 10, 2012
The Beaver With the Stumpy Tail
by Kara Rogers
While the more familiar North American beaver sports a spanking big tail, which serves variously as a rudder, a prop, a fat store, and a communication device, the mountain beaver gets along just fine with its stunted and furry rear appendage.
Dec. 05, 2012
What's a BioBlitz?
by The Bug Chicks
A 24-hour species identification challenge in an Oregon city park shows citizen scientists the diversity of urban wildlife.
Dec. 03, 2012
Kermit the Frog's Chubby Cousin
by Kara Rogers
The Australian green tree frog has big eyes, a friendly demeanor, and a bit of a pot belly, all of which bring to mind certain traits of Muppet star Kermit the Frog.
Nov. 28, 2012
Earwigs: Beating a Bad Rap
by The Bug Chicks
Many insects are pegged with an undeserved bad reputation. Earwigs are a great example.
Nov. 26, 2012
Strange Fish
by Kara Rogers
Dr. Seuss's McElligot's Pool (1947) features some fantastic fish—ones with pinwheel-like tails, curly noses, long floppy ears, or Kangaroo pouches. The fictional fish do have some truly strange nonfictional cousins, among which are giant oarfish, barreleye fish, and sawfish.
Nov. 14, 2012
A Meeting of (Ento)Minds
by The Bug Chicks
What happens at a scientific conference?
Nov. 07, 2012
A Whipspider Surprise
by The Bug Chicks
During our visit to Costa Rica in March, we came across an arachnid with unexpected companions.
Nov. 06, 2012
The Plant That Ran with Buffalo
by Kara Rogers
Running buffalo clover produces a single, spiked flower, one that is quintessentially clover. But unlike other clovers, running buffalo is endangered -- it was once even thought to be extinct, for reasons that are reflected in its name.
Nov. 05, 2012
Post Sandy: Are You More Likely Now to Buy an Electric Car?
by Ira Flatow
Does hurricane Sandy make you any more inclined to buy an electric vehicle?
Nov. 01, 2012
Sandy: Katrina Redux
by Ira Flatow
Are Katrina and Sandy linked to climate change?
Oct. 31, 2012
Magical Language of 'Bug'
by The Bug Chicks
It’s always amazing to me that no matter the circumstance, no matter the place, kids want to talk bugs with us. All children, all over the world speak 'bug'.
Oct. 29, 2012
Quarrelsome Corals: Aggression on the Reef
by Kara Rogers
Stony corals can vomit digestive filaments on their neighbors to disintegrate competitors for space and light.
Oct. 22, 2012
Riverside's Rodent: The Kangaroo Rat that Stood Up to Development
by Kara Rogers
The endangered Stephen's kangaroo rat actually is not a rat -- it is more closely related to rodents such as squirrels and gophers than it is to notorious pests like the Norway rat and house rat.
Oct. 17, 2012
Late Bloomers
by The Bug Chicks
The other day we caught a glimpse of an insect that's usually seen in the spring -- the mayfly! Check out this video to learn more about these short-lived insects.
Oct. 15, 2012
Frosted Flowers: The Complexity of Climate Change in the Rocky Mountains
by Kara Rogers
Like many other species of subalpine and alpine wildflowers, each year, as the winter snowpack recedes, the glacier lily comes to life, sprouting leaves and flowers as soon as conditions are favorable and taking advantage of every moment of the short growing season.
Oct. 10, 2012
Silverfish: Your Quiet Roommates
by The Bug Chicks
What's that silver insect in your bathroom sink? A silverfish! Check out our video to learn about these ancient animals.
Oct. 09, 2012
How to 'Break' Einstein's Speed Limit
by Ira Flatow
Can you legally break Einstein's speed limit?
Oct. 03, 2012
Tarantula ICU
by The Bug Chicks
When a tarantula is sick and weak, what do you do? Stick it in the ICU!
Sep. 27, 2012
Rover Finds Ancient Stream Bed on Mars
by Ira Flatow
NASA's rover has discovered an ancient stream bed on Mars.
Sep. 26, 2012
Head Lice: Itching for the Facts
by The Bug Chicks
'Tis the season! The kids are back in school and head lice are going to be on the forefront of parents' minds. It can be hard to find facts on these animals when internet searches provide myths, fear, and outdated remedies. But The Bug Chicks are here to teach about the insects themselves. Arm yourself with knowledge! (And a good nit comb.)
Sep. 25, 2012
Return of the Flame Challenge: Kids, What Would You Ask Next?
by Leslie Taylor
Attention 10 to 12-year-olds! Alan Alda wants to know what question you would like scientists to answer.
Sep. 19, 2012
Cool Characters
by The Bug Chicks
Cooler weather is on it's way, but we're not worried! We've planned some winter expeditions to find insects in the sea caves and glacial fields of Oregon.
Sep. 18, 2012
Track the Monarch Migration Using Your iPhone!
by Leslie Taylor
Depending where you live, you may have recently started to see an influx of orange and black winged visitors. The monarch butterflies have begun their fall migration.
Sep. 17, 2012
Children and Nature: The Need for Safe Places of Exploration
by Kara Rogers
More than half the world's population now lives in urban areas, which means that, combined with the loss of nature from urban sprawl, fewer children than ever have the chance to walk out their back doors and into a natural world of discovery.
Sep. 13, 2012
Sea Ice and Heat: A Vicious Cycle
by Lisa Gardiner
You can make a simple model that shows how the color of ice and water impacts temperature.
Sep. 12, 2012
Insectivus for the Rest of Us
by The Bug Chicks
For bug lovers, there are lots of cool events happening all over the country.
Sep. 11, 2012
See Ya, Sea Ice.
by Lisa Gardiner
This autumn, new records are being set for the minimum amount of sea ice in the Arctic. On August 26, the extent of ice diminished to less than it has ever been -- at least in the 30 years we've been watching it with satellites.
Sep. 10, 2012
Foresight in the Arctic: Predation and Preservation
by Kara Rogers
Do Arctic wolves use cooperative hunting strategies?
Sep. 05, 2012
Name That Asteroid!
by Leslie Taylor
Students, NASA needs your help to find the perfect name for a near-Earth asteroid that will be visited by spacecraft later this decade.
Sep. 05, 2012
Insectos en Español? Que fantástico!
by The Bug Chicks
Learn about the yucca moth and the yucca plant and why pollinators are so important. In English and Spanish!
Sep. 04, 2012
Delmarva Peninsula's Endangered Squirrel
by Kara Rogers
The Delmarva fox squirrel is a very, very large squirrel. It can tip the scales at as many as three pounds.
Aug. 29, 2012
Insects and Human Society: Webspinners
by The Bug Chicks
You’ve probably all seen silk webbing in the ridges of tree bark. It could be a spider’s web, or it could’ve been made by the elusive and shy insects called webspinners in the Order Embiidina.
Aug. 27, 2012
A Warbler Rises from the Ashes
by Kara Rogers
Down to just 167 singing males in 1987, the Kirtland's warbler population has rebounded, with 1,828 males counted in 2011. The species has risen, almost literally, like a phoenix from the ashes.
Aug. 22, 2012
Insect Collecting: Pan and Baited Traps
by The Bug Chicks
A few weeks ago we showed you how to make a piece of insect collecting equipment called a beat sheet. In this post, we’re going to add pan traps and baited traps to your DIY collecting tools.
Aug. 20, 2012
The Fabled Jackdaw
by Kara Rogers
The jackdaw's intelligence and curiosity perpetuate the bird's tendency to get into trouble.
Aug. 16, 2012
Hot Guys and Smelly Socks
by Danica McKellar
An excerpt from the book "Girls Get Curves" by Danica McKellar provides an introduction to logic and reasoning.
To access older blog posts, navigate via the archive links in the sidebar at left.
ADVERTISEMENT
MOST POPULAR
BOOKS BY OUR GUESTS
PITCH A STORY
Got some science you want to share?
