
Maria Temming
Assistant Editor, Science News Explores
Maria Temming is the assistant editor at Science News Explores. Maria has undergraduate degrees in physics and English from Elon University and a master's degree in science writing from MIT. She has written for Scientific American, Sky & Telescope and NOVA Next. She’s also a former staff writer at Science News.

All Stories by Maria Temming
- Space
The first plants ever grown in moon dirt have sprouted
This tiny garden shows farming on the moon may be difficult, although not impossible.
- Animals
Let’s learn about amphibians
Amphibians are named after the Greek word for “double life” because many transform from water dwellers to landlubbers as they grow up.
- Humans
Scientists Say: Denisovan
The Denisovans were a recently discovered population of ancient hominids.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Inertia
Inertia is the tendency of objects to resist changes in their motion.
- Humans
Let’s learn about sleep
Sleep is key for health and wellbeing — but early school start times and screen time make it harder for teens to get shuteye.
- Materials Science
Scientists Say: Silicone
Silicone is a generic term for a whole slew of humanmade polymers with many different forms and applications.
- Animals
Scientists Say: Primate
Primates are mammals that tend to have big brains, forward-facing vision, fingernails and flexible hands and feet.
- Brain
Scientists Say: Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy allows the brain to perceive the two 2-D images seen by the eyes as a 3-D scene.
- Science & Society
A major science fair set these scientists on the path to STEM success
Alumni of the International Science and Engineering Fair talk challenges and payoffs of competitive science.
- Science & Society
What it’s like to compete in the science fair ‘Olympics’
Four recent alumni of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair share their experiences.
- Chemistry
Let’s learn about cellulose
The world’s most abundant natural polymer is finding all kinds of new uses, in everything from ice cream to construction.
- Math
Scientists Say: Variable
A variable is something that can be changed — such as a value in math, or a factor in an experiment.