a headshot showing Katie Grace Carpenter

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. Earth

    Scientists Say: Cave Popcorn

    This type of cave formation can occur as glossy, soaplike bubbles or as a bristly, cauliflower-like clusters.

  2. Space

    Scientists Say: Bolide

    It starts as a flash. Then comes the sonic boom. The boldest meteors often go out with a bang.

  3. Physics

    Scientists Say: Equilibrium

    This steady state may look like a total standstill, but it’s actually an equal opposition of forces.

  4. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Symptom

    A runny nose, fever or feeling of fatigue might clue your doctor in to the right diagnosis.

  5. Plants

    Scientists Say: Pollination

    Plants call upon wind, water or helpful animals to carry out this crucial step of their life cycle.

  6. Tech

    Scientists Say: Cryogenic

    This deep-frozen field of science allows conservation biologists to preserve the DNA of endangered species and more.

  7. Space

    Scientists Say: Spacetime

    Weaving together the concepts of space and time allows scientists to understand gravity and more.

  8. Brain

    Scientists Say: Hallucination

    Humans are not the only ones who can hallucinate. When a chatbot confidently generates a plausible but incorrect response, this error is called a hallucination.

  9. Earth

    Scientists Say: Haboob

    Thunderstorms in the desert create downdrafts that lift desert sand into a moving, wall-like cloud.

  10. Life

    Scientists Say: Taxonomy

    This field of study does more than just organize living things. It also reflects the history of life's evolution.

  11. Math

    Scientists Say: Logarithm

    Think of this math function as just another way to solve equations involving exponents.

  12. Materials Science

    Scientists Say: Tenebrescence

    Under ultraviolet light, some minerals adopt long-lasting new hues.