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NEWSPAPER SECTIONS

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PUBLICATIONS

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NEWSPAPER SECTIONS

History Geography Science Space Science Science and Technology Arts and Culture
Health and Science Education News Journalism News Environment News Book Talk
Columns and Editorials Sports Section Where in Dane County? Wisconsin History
Science of Wisconsin's Environment


SPECIAL SERIES

The Gas Giants Birds of Wisconsin Ancient Libraries Series East Africa Series
Wisconsin Pollinators


PUBLICATIONS

La Prensa James Wright Free Press Henderson Free Press


ABOUT SSFP

About Us Subscribe to Our Newsletter Support SSFP View Our Friends List
Click Here to Browse Newspaper Sections
Geography


GÖBEKLI TEPE IS THE WORLD'S OLDEST TEMPLE

by Dayanara Flores Gonzalez, age 16

The Gobekli Tepe, also known as "Hill with a Navel" or "Potbelly Hill," is found
ten miles northeast of Sanliurfa, an ancient city in southeastern Turkey. It was
once named "Edessa" and is known as "The City of the Prophets."

Gobekli Tepe was discovered by a German archeologist named Klaus Schmidt, who
formerly worked on a different ancient site that predated Gobekli Tepe. This
site is the oldest man-made place of worship that has been discovered and dates
back to 10,000 BCE. [Read More]

History


GENGHIS KHAN AND THE RISE OF THE MONGOL EMPIRE

by Marco Flores, age 9

The largest land empire was none other than the Mongol Empire. The empire
stretched from Hungary to Korea and had more than one hundred milion people
living within the empire. They lived as nomadic tribes in a region that is now
known as modern day Mongolia.

During the early 13th century, Temujin, a warlord, united the Mongol tribes. The
Mongols warriors were fierce and had great skills for riding horses and archery.
Temujin was given the name Genghis Khan for his great leadership. [Read More]

Sports


JACKIE ROBINSON, THE LEGEND WHO CHANGED MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

by Max Moreno, age 11

Jack Roosevelt Robinson, also known as Jackie Robinson was a legendary baseball
player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball by becoming the
first Black American to be in the MLB. However, Robinson wasn't just any
ordinary baseball player.

Robinson was born on Jan. 31, 1919, and grew up in Cairo, Georgia. During high
school he played many sports like baseball, basketball, football and track. He
was also named the state's MVP in 1938. He attended UCLA, where he was the
university's first student to win varsity letters in four sports. In the 1940s
Robinson met his future wife, Rachel Isum, when they were attending UCLA and got
married in 1946. However he had to drop out of UCLA just shy of graduation
because he didn't have enough money. [Read More]

Women in STEM Series


MARIE CURIE IS A TRAILBLAZER IN SCIENCE AND RADIOACTIVITY

by Siwoo Park, age 12

Marie Curie, one of the world’s beloved scientists, was a pioneer in the study
of radioactivity and her discoveries revolutionized cancer treatment. Through
her discovery of radium, she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in two
different fields, and eight years later won a subsequent prize. [Read More]

Environment News


RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING HURRICANES COULD BE A CONSEQUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

by Dulce Vazquez, age 15

Throughout several decades, hurricanes have seen a trend of increasing
intensity. The increasing strength of hurricanes has led people to be unprepared
for their effects.

A thunderstorm that formed on the western coast of Africa turned into Hurricane
Lee within a day. Hurricane Lee spun more than 130 km per hour placing the storm
at a Category 1. A day later, it came across warm water in the North Atlantic.
This doubled its wind speed from 130 km to 260 km per hour. [Read More]

History


HISTORY TELLS NEW STORY OF FIRST BLACK AMERICAN TO REACH THE NORTH POLE

by Aubrey A Bevenue, age 12

Robert Peary is recognized as the first person to set foot on the North Pole.
While he did not get a lot of recognition at the time, the African-American
explorer, Matthew Henson was also ultimately recognized. [Read More]

Geography


AMATEUR FOSSIL HUNTER FINDS “UNDERWATER T-REX”

By Iliyan Hoskins, age 11

150 million years ago, an ancient apex predator roamed the ocean. The species
was called a Pliosaur, and it possessed jaws more than twice as powerful as
those of today’s saltwater crocodiles. It killed its prey with just one bite
from its 130 long, razor-sharp teeth, earning it the nickname "underwater
T-Rex." The underwater T-Rex existed 150 million years ago, spanning the early
Jurassic to the Cretaceous periods. An adult Pliosaur was a 30-foot-long sea
creature capable of traversing the ocean at high speeds. That’s why scientists
bestowed upon it the name underwater T-Rex.

The skull of this formidable predator was discovered in southern England, among
many other fossils. An amateur fossil hunter named Phil Blake was strolling
along a beach in search of something special when he spotted the tip of the
Pliosaur’s snout sticking out of the sand, near the water's edge. Scientists
consider this rare discovery one of the most intact and complete examples of a
Pliosaur ever found. [Read More]

La Prensa


CHICHÉN ITZÁ FUSIONA LAS CIVILIZACIONES MAYA Y TOLTECA

por Kimberly Rodríguez, de 11 años

En el siglo X d.C., la civilización Maya habitaba Chichén Itzá. Ubicado en
México, este sitio era de gran importancia para los Mayas y más tarde para los
guerreros Toltecas.

Los guerreros Toltecas tomaron el control de Chichén Itzá de manos del pueblo
Maya y lo transformaron en una versión mejorada de su capital, Tula. El templo
de los guerreros albergaba innumerables objetos tallados como piezas de arte,
incluyendo motivos de jaguares y águilas para representar a los guerreros
Toltecas. Esta civilización conquistadora gobernó Teotihuacán y México desde
mediados del siglo X hasta mediados del siglo XII d.C. [Read More]

Wisconsin History


JOE MCCARTHY AND THE RED SCARE: A FIRST-AMENDMENT CASE STUDY FROM HISTORY

by Sandy Flores-Ruiz, age 17

A recent column in The Capital Times reported that according to the National
Assessment of Educational Progress, only about 22% of American students are
proficient in civics. One good way for students in our state to study civics is
through an infamous episode from the 1950s when a journalist stood up to a
powerful U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. [Read More]

Health and Science


NEW RESEARCH LEADS TO MORE FENTANYL TESTING

by Camila Cruz, age 16

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44. However, due
to outdated drug testing standards in emergency rooms, fentanyl overdoses are
often missed or mistreated.

A nationwide study done by Epic and the University of Maryland-College Park
shows that only about five out of 100 emergency departments do a screening test
for synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

Just two milligrams of fentanyl, or the equivalent of about 10-15 grains of
salt, is enough to be fatal. [Read More]

Environment News


CAN ULTRASOUND WAVES REMOVE MICROPLASTICS FROM WATER?

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

Pollution has become a big problem in today’s economy. Microplastics are a type
of pollution that is really small and barely visible yet they are found in our
bodies, causing a lot of damage. Microplastics can contain toxic chemicals,
viruses, and bacteria.

These plastic bits are an issue for humans and wildlife. These plastics are
incredibly hard to see, even smaller than a sesame seed, and no more than five
millimeters wide. The bits can be found in water, air, and foods leading to
their accumulation in human bodies as resources are utilized. The materials
within these bits can contain toxic chemicals. Additionally, both bacteria and
viruses can attach themselves to the microplastic. Wildlife can also ingest
plastic bits through drinking water from rivers or the ocean. [Read More]

Education News


CONCERNS RISE AS K-12 TEST SCORES HIT RECORD LOWS

by Jules Da Costa, age 15

K-12 scores fell lower than ever in 2022 according to studies from the National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

The decline in test scores had many causes, but one of the main ones was
parental ignorance. Many parents didn’t know how far their child had fallen
behind and therefore couldn’t do anything to help. Parents also blamed schools
for not informing them of their child’s shortcomings or learning gaps. Studies
also found that students who spent more time learning online fell behind
further.

COVID-19 left millions of students working and learning from home. When the
schools switched to online learning, students who had access to quieter spaces,
tutors, and computers were far more likely to excel. Meanwhile, students who
lacked resources fell further behind. For these reasons, between 2019 and 2021
math scores dropped by the largest percentages in NAEP’s history. [Read More]

Geography


VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS CAUSE BIRTH OF A NEW ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN

by Kaleab Afeworki, age 11

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano had one of the most powerful underwater
explosions and still holds unbreakable records. This volcano has erupted several
times in the last decade and scientists continue to study its activity.

It erupted in 2014 near the South Pacific Island Kingdom of Tonga. The cause of
the eruption was due to a submarine volcano, an underwater vent where magma
erupts and explodes. It left vast amounts of ash, rock, and mist in the air,
settling into a tiny island with a 400-foot summit.

The volcano remained active until its recent eruption in 2022, which produced a
tsunami so great that it touched the coasts of Japan and South America. This
eruption was so intense that it injected water vapor that managed to touch space
– a feat that has never been observed with any other volcanoes on Earth.
Additionally, the event created the greatest concentration of lightning and
energy strong enough to damage undersea fiber optic communication cables.
[Read More]

Technology News


REVOLUTIONIZING SPACE COMMUNICATION THROUGH LASERS

by Allison Torres, age 15

Lasers represent the future of communication. Currently, the International Space
Station relies on 5G and broadband internet for its Earth communication.
However, this mode of communication involves a delay of approximately 2.5
seconds for information transmission.

Unlike radio waves, lasers constitute invisible light with greater robustness.
Their wavelengths are also 10,000 times shorter than those of radio waves.
Consequently, lasers require a mere 0.0003 megabits per second to traverse from
one point to another. Introducing lasers into the orbit within our solar system
stands to significantly enhance the speed of data transmission via satellites.
[Read More]

Geography


THE GREENLAND SHARK'S 400-YEAR LIFESPAN AND MYSTERIOUS EXISTENCE

by Bruno Torres, age 7

Did you know that Greenland sharks can live for 400 years? That is more than the
longest-living land animals. Along with their long lifespan, they are also known
to be the biggest fish in the Arctic Ocean. The Greenland shark can live 7,200
feet underwater, where the temperature is between 28 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

Greenland sharks are tough to spot, but when they are seen, it is usually at the
water's surface. This is because the shark spends most of its time in colder
waters. These sharks are dark gray, brown, or black with long cylinder-shaped
bodies and rounded snouts. They can grow to 23 feet long and weigh 1.5 tons.
[Read More]

Space Science


ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER TWO ORBITING BLACK HOLES IN COSMIC LIGHT SHOW

by Allison Torres, age 14

Scientists have made a remarkable discovery - a previously hidden black hole has
emerged from obscurity. This colossal black hole is accompanied by a smaller
partner that had remained undetected until now. Astronomers have recently
confirmed the emission of light from this smaller black hole. When these two
black holes orbit each other, they generate bursts of light, known as a blazar,
which emits intense radiation into space, specifically in the OJ287 region.
[Read More]

Geography


ARIZONA’S BEAUTIFUL AND MYSTERIOUS APACHE TRAIL

by Mahalia Pearson, age 12

The Apache Trail was completed through the Superstition Mountains in 1911, but
construction began in 1904. These two landmarks are located in Arizona. The
roughly 40-mile trail was used for stagecoaches by the Mexican, Spanish, and
American settlers. The settlers learned the trail from the Native Americans who
resided in the area. The trail was named after the Apache Native Americans and
other Native American tribes.

The Apache Trail, also known as Route 88, is hard to drive on due to the poor
conditions of the road. While driving on the road, people experience deserts,
sharp turns, and steep hills. Visitors should be cautious of possible landslides
or cliffs that may make it easy for one to fall off. [Read More]

Sports


HOW THE GREEN BAY PACKERS BECAME A COMMUNITY-OWNED NFL LEGACY

by Kaleab Afeworki, age 11

You may have heard of the Green Bay Packers, but did you know that this
successful NFL team once faced bankruptcy? It's true!

Back in the early days, Green Bay, the smallest city in Wisconsin to join the
NFL, had a relatively small fan base and limited financial resources. This
situation left the Packers in precarious financial shape during the 1920s. In
1935, they hit a critical point, ultimately going bankrupt. To navigate this
financial crisis, they established a new company known as Green Bay Packers Inc.
and raised $15,000 by selling stock shares of the team to the public.
[Read More]

Birds of Wisconsin


RARE SPOONBILL SIGHTING IN GREEN BAY ASTONISHES BIRDING COMMUNITY

by Mariama Bah, age 16

A mysterious bird, described as a pink football on short stilts, was recently
spotted alive in Green Bay for the first time. Its unexpected appearance
generated excitement within the Wisconsin birding community, marking the return
of a bird that had long been absent from the region.

One fateful morning, Logan Lasee, a Bay Area Bird Club member, was monitoring
endangered piping plovers in the Cat Island restoration area when he noticed
something pink that immediately caught his attention. [Read More]

Technology News


RESEARCH TEAM BREAKS DATA TRANSMISSION RECORD USING NEW LASER TECHNOLOGY

by Daniel Li, age 15

A team of Danish researchers and physicists recently discovered a way to
transfer almost 1.84 petabits of data per second - which is equivalent to nearly
122 Netflix movies playing simultaneously - using only one small chip. In recent
years, achieving this would have required more power and more chips, even though
the previous record for the highest data transmission rate using one chip was
only set in 2020.

The team used a relatively discovery as the basis for their development. In
2005, the Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to a team of researchers who
discovered a way to convert laser light into a special type of rainbow, called
an optical frequency comb. To accomplish this, a laser is shined through a
special chamber, which produces a rainbow with all of its colors spread out
evenly. However, this process involved massive machines, larger than a standard
refrigerator. Two years later, another team built on this discovery, and was
able to achieve a similar effect, but with much smaller chips, dubbed
“microcombs.” [Read More]

Geography


LAKE CHAD: A VITAL ECOSYSTEM AND HISTORIC HUB OF CIVILIZATION

by Dayanis Torres-Cruz, age 13

Lake Chad is made up of 17,000 square kilometers of fresh water located at the
midpoint of dunes that stretch across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Lake
Chad has a rich history, but scientists say that the lake's water level changes
based on rain and dry seasons, and its habitat surroundings are changing.

The ecosystem in Lake Chad has a variety of open waters, some permanent and
others temporary. These bodies of water contain helpful nutrients that sustain
the biodiversity in the lake. Many animals, such as hippopotamuses, Nile
crocodiles, tortoises, sea turtles, otters, a few native birds, migratory birds,
and about 120 types of fish all call Lake Chad home. [Read More]

Education News


THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MOST COMMON FORM OF WRITING: EXPOSITORY WRITING

by Yoanna Hoskins, age 17

Students are typically instructed to submit papers using one of the four major
writing styles: expository, narrative, persuasive, or descriptive. Expository
writing is one of the more commonly known forms of writing.

Expository writing focuses on explaining or exposing a topic; in other words, it
is a piece of writing that is instructive. The goal of expository writing is to
expound on an idea concisely and bias-free. This style is used throughout the
world in a myriad of ways. It can be found in textbooks, directions, articles
like this one, and other platforms of writing seen daily. When writing an
expository piece, the author or publisher is not to state their own opinions on
the topic. The piece should be neutral and inform a reader without attempting to
persuade. [Read More]

Pollinators of Wisconsin


LEARN HOW TO HELP WISCONSIN POLLINATOR POPULATIONS FOR A BLOOMING ECOSYSTEM

by Camila Cruz, age 15

Many people undervalue our pollinators, but about 87% of flowering plants
worldwide depend on them. Going into summer, it’s a good time to think about how
to support them, from letting lawns grow to avoiding pesticides.

Pollinators are creatures that go from plant to plant to consume nectar and
pollen. In doing this, they spread the pollen, helping plants reproduce. Pollen
is necessary to fertilize plants. Some of the most popular pollinators in North
America are hummingbirds, moths, flower flies, beetles, bees, butterflies, and,
in the southwestern parts of the U.S. and Mexico, nectar-feeding bats.
[Read More]

Where in Dane County?


FOLLOW A SIMPSON STREET ROAD TRIP TO WISCONSIN’S DRIFTLESS AREA

by Samuel Garduño and Camila Cruz

A large group of student reporters from Simpson Street recently took a summer
road trip to Wisconsin’s famous Driftless Area. This is an area of western
Wisconsin that was never flattened or even touched by the glaciers. The region
is hilly with lots of cold-water streams and beautiful scenery. For us, it was a
one-day adventure meant to enhance our understanding of topics we already cover,
such as pollinator species and birds of Wisconsin.

We started from our newsroom at South Towne Mall in Madison. In our caravan
there were 12 students and four editors. [Read More]

Space Science


MYSTERIOUS RING DISCOVERED IN THE OUTER SOLAR SYSTEM

by Jonah Smith, age 14

Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn all have one major thing in common: they
all have rings. Some might not be as visible as Saturn’s rings, but they do
exist. Even things like dwarf planets and asteroids have rings. These rings all
are specifically distanced from the parent body. Quaoar, however, has rings that
fall outside this domain. This makes Quaoar’s rings seemingly impossible.

Quaoar is a dwarf planet. Dwarf planets are planet-like bodies that do not fit
all of the requirements to be deemed a planet. Quaoar itself is an icy body
smaller than Pluto inside the Kuiper Belt at our solar system's edge. Due to it
being so far away, it makes it difficult to research. [Read More]

Science of Wisconsin's Environment


INVASIVE CARP ENTER WISCONSIN RIVER

by Sofia Zapata, age 13

An invasive carp species that originates from Europe and Asia has been affecting
many rivers in the United States, including our own Wisconsin River. If
scientists don't resolve this issue or find ways to control the populations,
this could be very dangerous for the existing 98 different species that reside
in the Wisconsin River.

For over 100 years, the Asian carp has invaded the United States. The Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources says that the carp are traveling from Asia to
the Mississippi River and followed by the Wisconsin River. This carp can be very
dangerous for our rivers because they are really aggressive hunters, which
initiates competition for other species. [Read More]

Pollinators of Wisconsin


BURSTING INTO BLOOM: THE LIFE CYCLE OF FLOWERS

by Abigail Gezae, age 11

There are many steps for a flower to blossom. A key factor to making plants grow
is the resource of light. This is what makes flowers bloom and causes leaves on
a tree to change.

Regardless of the type of plant, light and water are essential components for a
plant to survive. In fact, some plants have adapted to be able to rotate or turn
themselves to face the sun. If a plant is in the shade it will most likely die
because there is no sun. [Read More]

Journalism News


NELLIE BLY TRAILBLAZED A NEW KIND OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

by Cataleya Garcia Fox, age 11

Elizabeth Jane Cochran, also known as Nellie Bly, was a journalist and record
setter who traveled around the world. [Read More]

Science


THE MIGHTY ROAR AND CLEVER MIND OF LIONS

by Semaia Zerezghi, age 9

Panthera leo or lions are the kings and queens of beasts and are known for being
terrifying regal creatures. However, what most people don't know is that lions
are also incredibly intelligent. [Read More]

Space Science


FUTURE MISSION TO SATURN COULD USE SNAKE-LIKE ROBOT

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 14

The idea of living somewhere other than Earth is fascinating for the future.
Traces of chemicals needed for life have been detected from Enceladus, a moon of
Saturn. Scientists are trying to find possible ways to explore Enceladus.
[Read More]

Wisconsin History Series


DISCOVERING AZTALAN, WISCONSIN'S HIDDEN ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

by Aria McClinton, age 13

Aztalan was an ancient civilization located in what is now southern Wisconsin.
It was discovered in the 1820s by American settlers, who named the hidden
civilization but did not explore its origins. [Read More]

Education News


“HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE” – JOE GOTHARD’S INTERVIEW WITH SIMPSON STREET FREE PRESS

by Cris Cruz and Leila Fletcher

Following an introductory press conference at Thoreau Elementary School, new
Madison school superintendent, Joe Gothard, sat down for an exclusive interview
with Simpson Street Free Press. [Read More]

Science


THE NILE MONITOR IS AFRICAS'S LARGEST LIZARD

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 8

The Nile monitor is one of the strongest and most formidable predators of the
lizard species. These creatures are the largest lizards in Africa, reaching up
to six feet long! [Read More]

Sports


THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS' HISTORIC VICTORY OVER THE U.S.S.R

by Zayn Khalid, age 13

The United States and the Soviet National team (U.S.S.R.) had one of the biggest
basketball rivalries of the '70s and '80s, especially when the U.S. lost to the
U.S.S.R. in the 1972 Olympic finals. Then 15 years later, the Milwaukee Bucks
played the U.S.S.R., and the game was not even close. [Read More]

Space Science


STARGAZERS IN NORTH AMERICA GET READY FOR EVENTFUL 2024

by Camila Cruz, age 16

Stargazers in North America should start getting ready because they will have
much to watch for in 2024. [Read More]

Arts & Culture


OCEANIA, A DIVERSE REGION OF ISLANDS AND CULTURES

by Santiago Rosero, age 13

There is a place in the Pacific Ocean that is full of islands named Oceania.
This region is located between Asia and America, and its definition can vary.
Some islands are excluded, such as the Ryukyu, Kuril, and Aleutian islands, as
well as the Japan archipelago. Some countries like Indonesia, Taiwan, and the
Philippines, were also eliminated because their cultures are more related to
those on the Asian continent. Oceania has more than 10,000 islands, including
Papua New Guinea and New Zealand – Australia is not one of them. [Read More]

Where in Dane County?


W. JEROME FRAUTSCHI DONATES TO NEW WISCONSIN HISTORY CENTER

By Valeria Moreno Lopez, age 17

A new Wisconsin Historical Museum will replace the current museum on Capitol
Square by 2027. Philanthropist W. Jerome Frautschi recently established an
additional $10 million fund, making his total donation to the project about $25
million. [Read More]

Science


VELOCIRAPTORS: FEATHERED PREDATORS OF THE CRETACEOUS

by Aloniab Gezae, age 9

Velociraptors are not what they look like in Jurassic Park. It was one of the
most bird-related dinosaurs and had feathers, not scales. It lived around 80
million years ago in the late Cretaceous period and disappeared about 70 million
years ago, millions of years before the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. It was
first discovered in the Gobi desert, Mongolia in 1923 by Peter Kaisen. Its name
means speedy thief or quick plunderer. [Read More]

Science of Wisconsin's Environment


THE FOX RIVER CLEANUP, A BATTLE AGAINST DECADES OF POLLUTION

by Sofia Zapata, age 14

The Fox River flows across central and east-central Wisconsin to Green Bay and
was contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals during the mid-20th century It
took almost 17 years to clean the entire river. [Read More]

Space Science


THREE NEW MISSIONS PLANNED TO EXPLORE VENUS

by Chelsea Zheng, age 11

Venus is considered Earth’s twin due to its similar size and density. However
both these planets have developed vastly different from one another. Earth was
able to develop and sustain life, while Venus became a scorching and toxic
planet. To further understand how Earth’s neighboring “twin” developed a harsh
environment, scientists launched spacecraft to study Venus and continue to
launch more in the future. [Read More]

Sports


HOW THE CARLISLE INDIANS BECAME A COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWERHOUSE

by Owen Ayite-Atayi, age 16

Richard Henry Pratt, an abolitionist, created a college football powerhouse team
called the Carlisle Indians that dominated in the 20th century. Pratt believed
that Native Americans should be included in American society. [Read More]

Arts & Culture


ROSETTA NUBIN WAS THE GUITAR-PLAYING “GODMOTHER” OF ROCK AND ROLL

by Riya Adhikari, age 12

Rosetta Nubin was an incredible singer who mixed her church roots with the
blues. Despite being dubbed "The Godmother of Rock and Roll," her achievements
and diverse musical abilities remain relatively unknown. [Read More]

Science of Wisconsin's Environment


THE UNIQUE AMERICAN (PINE) MARTEN CALLS WISCONSIN HOME

by Kimberly Rodriguez, age 11

The Pine Marten can be found in multiple places including Wisconsin. They are
creatures with beautiful fur and are talented climbers and fishers. [Read More]

History


EXPLORING AZTEC FAMILY LIFE

by Marco Gonzalez, age 9

In Mesoamerica, Aztec culture had many interesting practices and beliefs. Their
family life was especially important, even though some of its characteristics
might seem strange today. [Read More]

Science


MYSTERIOUS GOLDEN ORB FOUND ON ALASKA SEAFLOOR

by Dayanara Flores Gonzalez, age 16

A mysterious golden orb was recently discovered on the Alaska seafloor. Marine
scientists have no idea what this orb might be, but scientists believe it might
be an egg casing of a creature nobody has seen before. [Read More]

Environment News


THORNY DEVILS, MASTERS OF CAMOUFLAGE

by Ian Kosharek, age 11

Thorny devils are spiny, fierce-looking creatures native to the Australian
desert, particularly favoring dry and hot climates in coastal areas of
Australia. These creatures weigh up to three ounces and are approximately two
centimeters in size, roughly the size of a hand. When they hatch, both male and
female thorny devils are similar, but after a year, females become visibly
longer, sometimes reaching twice the size of the largest males. Their lifespan
ranges from 10 to 20 years. [Read More]

Science


BATTLES AND BEHAVIORS OF PREHISTORIC BEASTS

by Iliyan Hoskins, age 10

Dinosaurs in prehistoric times had unique methods to catch their prey and
protect themselves from predators. Fossil evidence has unveiled fascinating
glimpses of battles among different dinosaur species, shedding light on their
behaviors. [Read More]

Where in Dane County?


MONONA MURAL IS BELOVED LOCAL EXAMPLE OF PUBLIC ART

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

Wisconsin boasts a plethora of stunning and remarkable murals throughout the
state, each distinguished by the unique messages they convey. One compelling
illustration is Monona's "Water, Land, and Sky" mural. Positioned conveniently
on West Broadway, opposite South Towne Mall, this mural is accessible to the
public at all times, allowing visitors to capture photographs with it. Crafted
in the summer of 2017, it is the result of a collaboration between the city of
Monona and Dane Arts Mural Art. [Read More]

Science


ENORMOUS DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS DISCOVERED IN TEXAS RIVERBED

by Dakota Wilson, age 12

In Texas, recent droughts have exposed dinosaur footprints, each measuring
several human hand lengths. These prints were uncovered in the Paluxy River,
located within Dinosaur Valley State Park. [Read More]

Wisconsin History Series


EXPLORING THE 1868 BRISBANE HOUSE IN ARENA, WISCONSIN

by Ayelen Flores Ruiz, age 13

The historic Brisbane House in Arena, Wisconsin, is renowned for its builder's
past. William Henry Brisbane, known as an "abolitionist," faced significant
scrutiny when he embraced this cause and subsequently relocated from his
Southern home state. [Read More]

History


THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF MAJORETTE DANCING

by Atisse Robbins, age 12

Majorettes encompass more than just dancing; they hold a significant cultural
role, particularly in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as a
tribute to Black culture. [Read More]

Environment News


NATURE'S LUMBERJACKS: HOW BEAVERS SHAPE ECOSYSTEMS

by Dayanis Cruz, age 13

Beavers are one of the greatest engineers in the world. They make improvements
to their habitat by creating waterways, dams, and lodges. They can cause
conflict with farmers by eating their crops, or by building a lodge near a pond
or a river. [Read More]

History


THE DEAD SEA: HOW SALT BROUGHT WEALTH AND HEALING TO HUMANS ANCIENT AND MODERN

by Kevin Chen, age 15

Though the Dead Sea sounds like a scary place, the same reasons this body of
water can not support plant or animal life made it a valuable resource in the
ancient world. Back in the Roman era (476 C.E.), salt was considered highly
valuable, so much so that Roman soldiers would be paid in salt, instead of
money. The Latin word “salary” came from the word “salt”. [Read More]

Geography


MEDITERRANEAN VOLCANOES HAVE LONG INSPIRED AWE AND TERROR

by Emily Rodriguez, age 14

In the Mediterranean Sea, there are many destructive volcanoes. Two of the most
well-known are Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Etna. [Read More]

East Africa Series


THE AFRICAN KINGDOM OF KUSH LASTED ALMOST 2,000 YEARS

by Anissa Attidekou, age 13

In Africa's vast and storied history, the Kingdom of Kush is a shining example
of the continent’s rich and diverse civilizations. The kingdom was established
in what is present-day Sudan. Kush thrived from 800 BCE to 300 AD for over a
thousand years. The kingdom of Kush rose to become a formidable power in
Northeast Africa, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s history. [Read More]

Birds of Wisconsin


THE SHORT-EARED OWL IS A YEAR-LONG RESIDENT OF WISCONSIN

by Edwin Torres, age 12

The Short-Eared Owl is an owl species that is native to Wisconsin, Canada, and
other northern parts of the U.S. Fortunately for those looking to spot them, the
Short-eared Owl lives all year round in those areas. This owl can travel really
long distances. People have reported sightings that are hundreds of miles away
from land. [Read More]

Science


EARTH’S SMALLEST FOX SPECIES LIVES DEEP IN THE SAHARA DESERT

by Dilma Attidekou, age 8

The fennec fox is an efficient animal that survives in the depths of the Sahara
Desert. Although small, this creature can eat a lot and is known as the smallest
canid species. [Read More]

Special Report East Africa


RARE BLACK LEOPARD DISCOVERED IN EAST AFRICA

by Allison Torres, age 14

Leopards are one of the most fascinating big cats from Africa. They are one of
the strongest climbers and can kill prey even larger than themselves. It is very
rare to see black leopards in desert areas of Africa. Scientists say only about
11% of leopards around the world are black. All leopards have spots, no matter
what color they are. But, that is what makes black leopards special: their spots
are hard to see. [Read More]

Science


QUETZALCOATLUS: FLYING GIANTS

by Aloniab Gezae, age 8

The Quetzalcoatlus is the biggest flying creature of the late cretaceous period.
It is not a dinosaur, it is actually a pterosaur, which was a group of flying
reptiles. Its wings were 40 feet wide. [Read More]


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