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. 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.

  2. Earth

    Scientists Say: Caldera

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

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Space

    Scientists Say: Interstellar medium

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Physics

    Scientists Say: Lepton

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

  9. Animals

    Scientists Say: Exoskeleton

    This plate armor provides protection to insects, spiders and more. But that benefit comes with tradeoffs.

  10. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Vitamin

    Our bodies can’t make enough of these tiny but mighty worker molecules. That’s what makes them a dietary essential.

  11. Physics

    Scientists Say: Lift

    An airplane wing’s unique shape creates air pressure differences that result in this gravity-defying force.

  12. Tech

    Scientists Say: Agrivoltaics

    This win-win technology means future farmers may produce both food and electricity.