Alison Pearce Stevens

Freelance Writer

Alison Pearce Stevens is a former duck wrangler, beekeeper and forever science geek who specializes in writing about science and nature for kids. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, their kids and a small menagerie of cuddly (and not-so cuddly) critters. She writes for Science News Explores, Highlights for Children, ASK (Arts and Sciences for Kids) magazine and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She is the author of several award-winning books, including Rhinos in Nebraska, Animal Climate Heroes and Detective Dogs.

All Stories by Alison Pearce Stevens

  1. Health & Medicine

    For better weight control, fiber up!

    Certain types of fiber suppress appetite, at least in mice. Found in fruits, vegetables, oats and barley, this fiber breaks down in the gut to release acetate. That travels to the brain, where the chemical prompts the release of hunger-fighting hormones.

  2. Health & Medicine

    Infected cutting boards

    Germs can hitchhike into the kitchen on meat and many types of produce. A new study finds that some of those germs are particularly nasty. They are immune to the one or more of the drugs doctors would prescribe to wipe out the infection.

  3. Climate

    Mapping our carbon footprints

    Population density can determine how much of an impact modern communities have on the climate.

  4. Agriculture

    How to limit the need for pesticides

    The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests taking steps to limit children’s exposure to pesticides.

  5. Animals

    Why are bees vanishing?

    Scientists find evidence that pesticides, disease and other threats are devastating bees. And that could hurt farmers big time.

  6. Life

    Caught in the act

    Scientists observe some evolutionary speed demons as they adapt over the course of just a few years to new environmental conditions.

  7. Microbes

    Some dirt won’t hurt

    It could even lower risks of serious allergic disease.

  8. Life

    Explainer: What is a stem cell?

    Special cells have ability to turn into several different types

  9. Life

    Stem cells: The secret to change

    Unusual, versatile cells hold the key to regrowing lost tissues.

  10. Brain

    Concussion: More than ‘getting your bell rung’

    This common brain injury can cause serious — and lasting — damage.

  11. Pathways to research: Pursuing a passion

    Young scientists get creative with their after-school work

  12. Pathways to research: Young scientists tackle abstract problems

    Students’ independent, theoretical investigations produce real-world results