Katie Grace Carpenter

Katie Grace Carpenter is a science writer and curriculum developer, with degrees in biology and biogeochemistry. She also writes science fiction and creates science videos. Katie lives in the U.S. but also spends time in Sweden with her husband, who’s a chef.

All Stories by Katie Grace Carpenter

  1. Space

    Scientists Say: Quasi-satellite

    Unlike a true satellite, these tagalongs orbit outside a planet’s primary sphere of gravitational control.

  2. Environment

    New ocean sanctuaries house young coral and even flee peril

    Two ISEF finalists want to foster growth of new coral reefs. So these teens designed and built self-navigating, undersea houseboats for coral larvae.

  3. Animals

    Teens work to keep giant water bugs on the menu

    Many culinary cultures around the world prize these nutritious and flavorful insects. New approaches may help giant water bug farming efforts.

  4. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Chiral

    Many biological molecules come in a left- and right-handed form — and biology plays favorites.

  5. Environment

    Eco-friendly sunscreen? That’s bananas!

    Bananas make their own natural sunscreens. A teen thinks these could work to protect our skin as well, while being safe for aquatic life.

  6. Earth

    Scientists Say: Caldera

    These gigantic craters form when a volcanic eruption empties magma chambers underneath, allowing the mountain to crumble into the void.

  7. Plants

    Magnets mimic gravity’s guiding hand for plants growing in space

    Without constant gravity, plants waste energy twisting and coiling, trying to reach toward the sun. Teen ISEF finalists might have found a solution.

  8. Tech

    Soft helpers and bio-inspired tech: a match made in robot heaven

    Hugging toys offer emotional support to anxious kids and slithering snake-like robots may bring rescue aid to people trapped in dangerous conditions.

  9. Space

    Scientists Say: Interstellar medium

    Radiant energy and primordial space dust span the vast reaches between star systems.

  10. Chemistry

    Teen finds cheaper way to make drugs against killer viruses

    This drug-making achievement also nabbed the top award — and $100,000 in prize money — at the 2025 Regeneron ISEF competition.

  11. Artificial Intelligence

    Teen’s software for spotting AI-generated text just got personal

    Rather than seeking generic signs of AI-generated text, it compares two texts to confirm they both share a writer’s unique style.

  12. Physics

    Scientists Say: Lepton

    Leptons are a quirky class of particles. Besides electrons, they include ghostly neutrinos and hefty muons and tauons.