Kathiann Kowalski

Freelance Writer

Kathiann Kowalski loves talking with scientists and engineers about their work and why it matters. And she loves getting into the field — whether that’s at a lab, in a research forest, at a drilling site or on a research boat. She has written more than 700 articles, plus 25 books for young people. “There’s always something new happening — and something new to learn,” she says.

 

Kathi graduated from Hofstra University in New York and got her law degree from Harvard Law School in Massachusetts. She previously practiced environmental law with a large firm. Kathi enjoys hiking, sewing, reading and travel.

All Stories by Kathiann Kowalski

  1. Health & Medicine

    Six tips to build more movement into your day

    Most people don’t move enough. The trick is to do what you can whenever you can, even if it’s just standing up more than once an hour and walking a bit.

  2. Materials Science

    Super-absorbent swab could curb errors in COVID-19 testing

    A new super-absorbent swab could cut down on false negatives from COVID-19 testing. And that could help slow spread of the disease.

  3. Science & Society

    How to fight online hate before it leads to violence

    Counter-speech, artificial intelligence and other tools can help spot online hate — and maybe thwart it. New studies show how.

  4. Chemistry

    A soil-based ‘concrete’ could make buildings green, even on Mars

    A new soil-based material offers an alternative to concrete for 3-D printing environmentally friendly buildings.

  5. Environment

    Why today’s ‘fast fashions’ can be bad for the planet

    The constant buy-wear-toss cycle of fast fashion isn’t sustainable. It hurts the environment and takes a toll on our wallets, too.

  6. Environment

    Old clothes soon may be recycled, not trashed

    One day, clothes may be recycled almost as much as plastics and glass are now. See how chemists are moving us in that direction.

  7. Chemistry

    Here’s how to make flip-flops biodegradable

    Innovative flip-flops made from an algae-based plastic decompose in soil or compost. The comfy shoes also avoid use of fossil fuels.

  8. Chemistry

    How to recycle ‘nonrecyclable’ plastics

    A new process can convert some nonrecyclable plastics into a type that now can be reused. That could greatly cut down on wastes sent to landfills.

  9. Science & Society

    Top 10 tips on how to study smarter, not longer

    Here are 10 tips — all based on science — about what tends to help us learn and remember most effectively.

  10. Environment

    Busy beavers may be speeding thaw of Arctic permafrost

    As climate change continues, busy beavers are expanding their range in Alaska. Their dams could further speed the loss of permafrost there and promote local warming.

  11. Physics

    Science offers recipes for homemade coronavirus masks

    New studies provide data on what types of mask materials protect best against the virus that causes COVID-19. They also point to the value of a really snug fit.

  12. Tech

    Tackling the novel coronavirus calls for novel ideas

    Teams around the world are proposing new innovations to fight COVID-19. Projects tackle supply shortages, new treatments, vaccines and more.