News, ideas, and discoveries —

THE UNIVERSE

Why I think Mars will smell like rusty pennies

Iron oxide dust is everywhere on Mars. If we ever land, our spacesuits will probably come back smelling like an old coin jar.

TECHNOLOGY

What a self-driving wheelchair could mean for my grandfather

I built a cardboard prototype with cameras made of bottle caps. Here's what it taught me about freedom.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

The peace talks, explained with paper boats

I folded each country a paper boat. Watching them float in a basin made the news a little less scary.

INVENTIONS

My invention: a backpack that waters my plants

Health And Fitness

My invention: a backpack that waters my plants

Hydration helps me hold the brush steadier. Also, I look slightly less grumpy.