Stephen Ornes

Freelance Writer

Stephen Ornes has been writing for Science News Explores since 2008, and his 2014 story "Where Will Lightning Strike?" won an AAAS/Kavli Gold Award. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., and he has three children, who are inventing their own language. His family has a cat, six chickens, and two rabbits, but he secretly thinks hagfish are the most fascinating animals. Stephen has written two books. One is a biography of mathematician Sophie Germain, who was born during the French Revolution. The other, which was published in 2019, features art inspired by math. Visit him online at stephenornes.com.

All Stories by Stephen Ornes

  1. Animals

    What the cat’s tongue catches

    New study shows how cats use physics to drink.

  2. Environment

    The carbon dioxide coral generation

  3. Tech

    Coffee gives robots a grip

    Ground coffee, balloon and vacuum create robotic 'hand'

  4. Animals

    Census of the oceans

    Ten years of work reveals new species, amazing diversity.

  5. Physics

    Wet-dog physics

    Wet, hairy animals shake at just the right speeds to get rid of water.

  6. Planets

    Warm lava on a hot planet

    Volcanoes on Venus might be active.

  7. Health & Medicine

    The memory test

    Quizzing yourself while studying beats using the highlighter.

  8. Science fair at the White House

    Obama invites young scientists to show their stuff.

  9. Health & Medicine

    Bright dining makes mice gain weight

    Study connects nighttime light exposure, body mass.

  10. Fossils

    Prehistoric air travel

    Flying reptiles might have crossed oceans, continents nonstop.

  11. Tech

    Minimachines that move without batteries

    Chemistry powers tiny tools that have big potential.

  12. Chemistry

    Prizes award big ideas about small things

    Carbon and IVF win big in this year’s Nobel prizes.