The Conversation

Getting beyond answers like ‘fine’ and ‘nothing’: 5 simple ways to spark real talk with kids

Written by Shelbie Witte, Dean, College of Education and Human Development, University of North Dakota

Most kids want to know whether the adults in their lives are genuinely interested in their day – and aren't just going through the motions.FG Trade/E+ via Getty Images

Each afternoon, a familiar conversation unfolds in many households.

“How was school today?”

“Fine.”

“What did you learn?”

“Nothing.”...

4 laws that could stymie the Trump EPA’s plan to rescind the endangerment finding, central to US climate policies

Written by H. Christopher Frey, Glenn E. Futrell Distinguished University Professor of Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, left, takes a selfie with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, center, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in front of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline.AP Photo/Jenny Kane

The Trump administration’s plan to unravel many of the nation’s climate policies hinges on rescinding what’s known as the endangerment...

San Francisco and other cities, following a Supreme Court ruling, are arresting more homeless people for living on the streets

Written by Stephen Przybylinski, Assistant Professor of Geography, Michigan State University

A person walks past a homeless encampment in the Skid Row community in Los Angeles in June 2024. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Homelessness is on the rise in the United States, and in some places, it is becoming more common for the police to arrest someone for sleeping or living in a public space.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court issued a ruling, Grants...

Women in STEM face challenges and underrepresentation – this course gives them tools to succeed

Written by Filomena Nunes, Professor of Physics, Michigan State University

Women with strong networks and communities are most likely to succeed in the STEM fields. LWA/Dann Tardif via Getty Images

As a graduate student in physics, I was often the only woman in the room. As I gained more experience, I learned valuable lessons about the scientific community and how to better advance my career. Once I started mentoring...

My research team used 18 years of sea wave records to learn how destructive ‘rogue waves’ form – here’s what we found

Written by Francesco Fedele, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Rogue waves have captivated the attention of both seafarers and scientists for decades. These are giant, isolated waves that appear suddenly in the open ocean.

These puzzling giants are brief, typically lasting less than a minute before disappearing. They can reach heights of 65 feet (20 meters) or greater and often more than twice the height of...

US has slashed global vaccine funding – if philanthropy fills the gap, there could be some trade-offs

Written by Amy E. Stambach, Professor of Cultural Anthropology and International Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bill Gates gives a baby in a woman's arms a rotavirus vaccine in Ghana in 2013.Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. government is relaxing federal vaccine requirements and cutting vaccine research and development funding here at home. Elsewhere, it’s going even further.

The Trump administration has stopped funding Gavi, a global...

This isn’t how wars are ended − a veteran diplomat explains how Trump-Putin summit is amateurish and politically driven

Written by Donald Heflin, Executive Director of the Edward R. Murrow Center and Senior Fellow of Diplomatic Practice, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on Aug. 15, 2025. Here, they arrive for a group photo at the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty ImagesBrendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

A hastily arranged summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President...

Moose have lived in Colorado for centuries – unpacking the evidence from history, archaeology and oral traditions

Written by William Taylor, Assistant Professor and Curator of Archaeology, University of Colorado Boulder

Moose may have been in Colorado longer than previously thought.Illustration courtesy of Ettore Mazza, CC BY-ND

Moose are on the loose in the southern Rockies.

In July 2025, a young wandering bull was captured roaming a city park in Greeley, Colorado. A spate of similar urban sightings alongside some aggressive moose encounters has elevated moose...

Inside an urban heat island, one street can be much hotter than its neighbor – new tech makes it easier to target cooling projects

Written by Dan O'Brien, Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and Director of the Boston Area Research Initiative, Northeastern University

A tree canopy can make a big difference in temperature for people on the street below. The challenge is getting trees where they're needed most.Andrey Denisyuk/Moment via Getty Images

It’s summer, and it’s been hot, even in northern cities such as Boston. But not everyone is hit with the heat in the same way, even within the same...

What is rust? A materials scientist explains metal’s crusty enemy

Written by Guangwen Zhou, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Rust can attack the surfaces of old metal objects, such as bicycles.Sami Auvinen/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

What is rust? – Henry E., age 13, Boston, Massachusetts

Imagine leaving your...