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Nuclear Energy – How Tiny Atoms Can Power the World

Sabarish M
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Nuclear Energy – How Tiny Atoms Can Power the World

For centuries, humans have relied on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas for energy and power on our planet. However, these energy sources have numerous impacts on our ecosystems and our planet. After years of research, we have developed various clean and green energy sources, from solar energy to nuclear. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the world of nuclear energy. You will learn how nuclear energy is used to generate electricity on a large scale, what the benefits and drawbacks of using nuclear power are, and its future.

Source of Nuclear Energy and How it is Used

Nuclear Energy is produced from the nucleus of atoms, primarily through nuclear fission. Nuclear fission happens when a neutron strikes an atom, commonly uranium, causing it to split, releasing immense heat and more neutrons, starting a chain reaction. The mass of the products is smaller than the mass of the reactants, where the missing mass (mass defect) is released as energy. This energy can be calculated using Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence formula E = mc². Power plants use nuclear fusion to produce heat, which produces steam to drive massive turbines to generate electricity. There are different types of reactors, each of which has slightly different processes.

Here are some advantages of using Nuclear Energy:

  • Low Carbon Emissions: Unlike traditional energy sources, Nuclear energy production produces zero harmful greenhouse gases.
  • Highly efficient and Reliable: Nuclear energy is highly efficient due to its extreme density, and it can be operated at any time. Nuclear energy is also considered to be the most efficient energy source.
  • Small Land footprint
  • Can be produced on a large scale
  • Affordable for long-term

Here are some disadvantages of using Nuclear Energy:

  • Expensive to build power plants and set up generators: Though Nuclear energy is very affordable for production, the initial setup process is very expensive.
  • Risk of rare catastrophic accidents: Though rare, there have been a few catastrophic incidents that have caused nuclear meltdowns, like Fukushima, which is a major fear of nuclear energy.
  • Requires careful waste management
  • Energy can be used to create nuclear weapons, posing a global threat.

Nuclear energy is preferred over traditional sources of electricity as it is a zero-emission, highly efficient and consistent power source that contributes to sustainability. Though nuclear power plants are initially expensive to set up, they is very economically friendly for long-term power generation.

Feasibility, Future and Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear energy, in the form of nuclear fission, is highly feasible and is already a dominant source of energy in various countries. Another form of nuclear energy is through nuclear fusion, which involves combining two light atoms into one, releasing large quantities of energy. Nuclear fusion is how the sun produces vast quantities of energy. Though nuclear fusion is much more sustainable than nuclear fission, the production of energy using nuclear fusion is still under research by scientists, and we have yet to build the first nuclear fusion power plant. Overall, nuclear energy in the form of nuclear fission is a highly sustainable method of producing electricity and is considered to be a green energy source.

Sources: 1, 2

Not everything is as it seems: AI taking over technology

Diya Kunisetty
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Not everything is as it seems: AI taking over technology

Last week, my mom sent me a video on Instagram Reels. It showed a baby talking to its parents, and she thought it was real. Plot twist (well, not really), the entire video was AI-generated.

Like her, many people today are being fooled by what they see online, especially those who are a bit older. This includes simple AI videos, edited images, and even fake news. The problem is only getting worse as technology continues to advance every day. However, one of the main reasons behind this isn’t just that “they’re old and bad at technology.” It’s also about how they were raised and the environment they grew up in.

First of all, they didn’t grow up with this kind of technology. Even the creation of the iPhone felt groundbreaking to many of them, and the pace of innovation back then was much slower compared to today. Now, there are constant developments across multiple fields including AI, medicine, and almost every area of technology imaginable. It’s just like a completely different landscape.

Second, they tend to trust what they see online because they were never taught to question it in the same way. They had no real reason to doubt what they saw. Technology was introduced as something meant to improve lives, and the idea that it could be used to deceive or manipulate people wasn’t as prominent. As a result, the instinct to question digital content didn’t develop as strongly.

This becomes a bigger issue because it starts to affect how people understand the world around them. When it’s difficult to tell what’s real and what’s fake, it’s easier to believe misinformation or be misled by false content. This can shape opinions, create confusion, and even impact important decisions people make in their daily lives. As technology continues to improve, the line between real and fake is becoming less clear, making it harder for anyone (not just older adults) to fully trust what they see online.

Here are some tips for anyone in general to not get scammed by what they see online:

  • Don’t blindly trust everything you see. Check for the source of information and decide whether or not it is credible
  • Look for odd movements. Like an audio that doesn’t line up with the mouth or just wording and grammar that feels off
  • Extra caution when dealing with emotional content. Fake content usually tries to cover itself in emotional wording and create urgency such as through saying “Act now to save a life”
  • Don’t click random links. You usually can click links but never do it when you get it from an unknown sender
  • Ask someone else: a second opinion usually helps a lot for this (and in pretty much any decision in life)

Stay safe!

Your Light in the Pitch-Black Eclipse

Alina
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Your Light in the Pitch-Black Eclipse

Your Light in the Pitch-Black Eclipse

Who do you rely on the most? Who stabilizes your balance while you walk the tightrope? Who supports you as you face the thin line you must cross every day without falling into the dark abyss? Who brings you laughter and comfort packaged into a box with pink wrapping paper on your bluest days? Your sole bright star in the dark night. Who shows you guidance and love? Individuals who fit these traits do not have to be your closest; sometimes they can be unexpected. For me, there is a small number of people that I want to thank.

You notice when others just ignore

Thank you for being aware when I am down; you are truly one of the few who give me a thumbs-up from across the room and care about how I feel. You don’t brush it aside; you set it as a priority.

I feel safe around you

Thank you for allowing me to relax in your presence, to lean on you, and to rant about any subject in the world. I could be rumbling how unicorns should not be extinct, and you still listen intently.

You smile for me during my hardest times. 

Thank you for sending me your giddy smiles and ridiculous statements filled to the brim with unnecessary laughter. You include me in anything, and the sound of your joy is permanently embedded in me at this point.

For me, personally, my light is a couple of friends to whom I can tell anything, and I feel the need to express it here. Thank you for being the first to notice when I tremble or lose balance. Thank you for holding my hand and squeezing it tight so I know you’re here.

Thank you.

 

The Celebration of Persian New Year; Nowruz

Ava
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The Celebration of Persian New Year; Nowruz

While for many of us, it has been 3 months into the new year of 2026, for Iranians across the globe it has been 2 days since the new year of 1406. This unique new year is a special holiday celebrated for over 3,000-4,000 years, making it one of the world’s oldest and most cherished festivals.

What is Nowruz?

Nowruz meaning “new day”, is an essential part of Iranian culture. It marks the beginning of the year on the Iranian calendar unlike the gregorian calendar, and takes place during the spring equinox, marking the beginning of spring.

Nowruz is also regarded as more than just a new year. It is a celebration of rebirth and the conquest of light over darkness.

This holiday originally dates back to Zoroastrianism, which was one of the main religions of ancient Persia. It is also why Nowruz is considered a holy day alongside it being a festival, for those that practice Zoroastrianism.

How is Nowruz celebrated?

The celebration of Nowruz starts 2-4 weeks before the spring equinox. Most people begin the season with deep cleaning their house to get “rid of the dust of the past,” and continue with shopping and setting up their table.

An essential part of Nowruz is the “Haft-Sin” table. Made up of 7 items starting with the Farsi letter “S”, the Haft-Sin represents essential aspects of life.

The 7 Haft-Sin table items are made up of:

“Sabzeh”(sprouts)- representing renewal

“Samanu”(wheat pudding)- representing abundance

“Somagh”(sumac)-representing the triumph of good over evil and the sunrise

“Serkeh”(vinegar)-representing patience and wisdom

“Senjed”(dried oleaster)- representing love

“Seer”(garlic)- representing good health

“Seeb”(apple)- representing beauty

Other items with strong symbolism and/or that start with the Farsi letter “S” might be put on the Haft-Sin depending on the person. Some of the extra items are; “Sham”(candles), “Shirini”(sweets), “Ayne”(mirror), and more.

“Tahvil-e Sal”

On the spring equinox, the new year which is called “Tahvil-e Sal” happens. Although, there is no specific time set for it since it is calculated astronomically every year. The calculation takes in factors such as when the sun crosses the equator, movements from south to north, and making day and night equal.

After Tahvil-e Sal happens, for the next 13 days, Iranians visit their families, starting from the eldest members to the youngest.

On the 13th day, which is called “Sizdah Bedar,” people go outside with family and friends. During this time, people also throw the sprouts from their Haft-Sin into the water to let go of bad luck.

 

How To Do Homework After School

Jeanne Y
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How To Do Homework After School

Apart from extracurriculars, after school activities look different for a lot of people. Youth often doomscroll or binge TV after school to cope with the overstimulation of social interactions and mental overload. However, this delay and avoidance can lead to procrastination and increasingly later bedtimes.

Doing homework right after school will likely fix two of the problems I see in myself and in my peers: sleep schedule, social media addiction, and procrastination. By breaking the cycle, we can effectively kill three birds with one stone. That’s the ideal goal of time management.

The Benefits of Doing Homework Right After School

Homework can seem gruelling or daunting, but reading some of these benefits may encourage you to continue reading this post and completing your homework in a punctual manner! Here’s a brief list:

Academic Benefits

  1. Work is completed on time
  2. Teachers are more likely to give extensions and better letters of recommendation to students who are consistently punctual
  3. New knowledge is reviewed the day of, reinforcing and embedding it into long-term memory and beginning the spaced-repetition cycle
  4. Active recall will be easier in the future since the first repetition is out of the way
  5. You can ask follow-up questions the next day!

Physical Health Benefits

We feel familiarity with the individuals who are chugging energy drinks like they can afford to gamble with their cardiovascular health. Perhaps you are one of these individuals. In any case, doing homework directly after school can help save your physical health in numerous ways:

  1. Less procrastination means earlier bedtimes
  2. You can finally move your sleep schedule a couple minutes earlier
  3. …which in turn also means that you don’t have to chug caffiene every morning or down multiple energy drinks in the span of an hour
  4. …which saves your heart health and drastically decreases your chances of cardiac arrest at the ripe age of 20.

Mental Health Benefits

Apart from the academic mental benefits, there are a myriad of mental health benefits you achieve after finishing your homework early, including:

  1. Less academic anxiety
  2. Increased mood
  3. Better relationships – because you will actually interact with people during daylight hours and talk to your family

The Process

Getting to homework directly after school can take quite a bit of habit building, but don’t let that deter you! It doesn’t have to be hard if we take the process one step at a time. Just remember that the benefits far outweigh the avoidance, and that if you value your health and well being this will happen sooner or later.

This guide is made for students who procrastinate their work like they have unlimited time. If you have better time management skills and already do some of these things, you might find that only some of these apply. If you don’t do any of these things, then you probably fall within the former group of procrastinators.

1. Night Before Setup

Prime your workspace for when you arrive home the day you get back. Clear your desk, or if you’re a slob, make sure there’s enough room on your desk to place one sheet of paper down on a flat surface.

Take out a single writing utensil, and place it on the flat surface. Pack your bag so that you won’t forget anything tomorrow morning when you leave for school.

Setting your materials up for success creates an environment where learning is the expectation. At the very least, it reduces distraction. Which brings us to our next step.

2. Put Away Your Phone

Easier said than done? Fine. Turn your phone to grayscale and Do Not Disturb, and place it outside the room you’re going to study in after you get home from school. If you need to use your phone, name what you need it for out loud, do what you need to do, and place it back in its designated area. It should never enter the room you are studying in.

3. Find an easy transition activity

It’s incredibly difficult to transition directly from school to studying at home, especially if you have no commute time. Find something you can do to transition yourself away from school and into homework that you can do if you commute, or if you don’t. Examples include:

  • podcasts
  • physical activity
  • reading
  • doodling
  • hobbies

Be sure to pick something that is easy and pleasant enough to be a break from the overstimulation of school, but also not engaging enough to be distracting or totally absorbing.

Decrease Transition Time

Begin with doing this activity for an hour. Every day, decrease the time by 7 minutes. In one month, you will be able to transition to homework after 25 minutes!

If this feels slow, remember that you can always start with a smaller interval of transition time but also that even the smallest decreases in transition time are progress from the probable hours you spend scrolling.

Top 3 Benefits of Rewatching Kids’ Shows

Sukrutha
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Top 3 Benefits of Rewatching Kids’ Shows

Sometimes, we all get drawn to those TV shows we used to watch as little kids, whether that be Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, or whatever else it is we enjoyed. It can often feel embarrassing to reveal this ‘childishness’ to others, but here are three reasons why there is no shame in rewinding to the past.

  1. Soothing Sense of Predictability

In a busy world filled with unexpected twists and turns, whether that be in school or elsewhere, it can be a great source of stress. When you watch a show that you’ve already enjoyed and loved, it gives you a sense of familiarity. This predictability is a great stress and anxiety buster, especially after an exhausting day at school or work. If you know what’s going to happen, your brain does not have to spend the extra energy to navigate through complicated plot twists. You just watch, laugh, and enjoy!

2. Seeking companionship through TV

Binging some episodes of a loved TV show can also foster a sense of warmth and connection. That sense of familiarity not only reduces stress but also allows us to revisit the characters, oftentimes treating them as old friends. This is especially so with sitcoms. Sometimes, you don’t need to watch action-packed, emotionally straining content for entertainment. Saying hello to the nostalgia from old shows is also great for this!

3. Quick Dopamine Boosts

Studies show that the wave of nostalgia received by watching old shows can increase levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for uplifting your mood. Oftentimes, kids’ shows have very short episodes, which you can watch quickly without chewing up your precious time. If you have a long ride home from school or work, for example, you can easily watch an episode on the train ride!

Beware of the dangers:

While revisiting our childhood through TV shows can be a great way to unwind after an exhausting day, it’s important to know when to stop. For example, if you notice that you heavily depend upon these shows to escape from reality rather than just taking a break, that can be a red flag. If this happens, it might be a good idea to use a different stress-relieving strategy or talk to a trusted friend/adult for support.

TL;DR

If a part of you wants to rewatch an episode of Peppa Pig, then I say go for it, but cautiously!

‘Sinners’ Best Cinematography Winner: Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Sina M
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‘Sinners’ Best Cinematography Winner: Autumn Durald Arkapaw

In honour of Women’s History Month, the vampire horror-filled-with-the-blues, Sinners, broke records at the 98th Academy Awards. First, with having the most nominations for any movie ever, sixteen. But also for having Best Cinematography being won by a woman for the first time, specifically a woman of colour. While this is absolutely fascinating, it is equal parts annoying and frustrating that out of 98 years of history, a woman wins an award for cinema for the first time in 2026.

 

The winner is Autumn Durald Arkapaw. She worked with Ryan Coogler to create stunning shots that form the lively colour palette of Sinners–from colder, darker blues that are interwoven into the blues songs in the movie to warmer and more vibrant yellows and browns. The movie was a box-office hit and from then given criticism specifically on its commentary around relationships between race, culture, identity, and aspects of colonialism. This became especially intriguing through the establishment of vampires, and so, if one were to view this as simply a horror flick, then they would need to watch it again for the opposite effect. Sinners was not just a movie to be enjoyed and critiqued by movie critics; it was supposed to represent the same, universal impacts of colonialism and racism, but give enough room for its viewers to be sucked into its world that involves soulful and powerful melodies and lyrics to well-built and dimensional characters. 

 

Many times, it becomes more difficult to be happy for success around records at places like the Oscars because they always come down to one exact reason. That is when the truth becomes convenient; it can be sold. Sinners winning four Oscars is not just groundbreaking, but it stands for another time when movies connecting identity and culture to heavy bouts of symbolism finally become digestible to famous shows like the Recording Academy. A tiktok user @glass__museum analyzed more on this effect and how it is damaging in many parts. However, winning major awards becomes a testament to how often women, especially of colour, can do the impossible in the name of something outstanding and incredibly well done. That is the cinematographer of Sinners, Autumn Durald Arkapaw.

 

Born in California to a Filipino mother and a Black Creole father, she gradually gained more experience in advertising and camera assisting. Sinners was shot on 65 mm film, using IMAX 15-perf and Ultra Panavision 70 cameras, becoming the first female director of photography to shoot any movie on large IMAX film. But while we can attach the word female to this achievement, what can this mean for more significant implications affecting the movie industry in years, even decades? 

 

It might not always be easy to say that a door has opened, because we do not know if that means another door will open after another. It may take another record broken for everything to fall into place more consistently. As for Autumn, she took another step that gained her recognition. Many directing choices go into the immersion of its audience into the world and its characters, and her talent and artistic vision aligned with that of the team. All we do know is that this is not the first time it has happened, but it has been recognized for the first time. Women are a part of making and splitting up history with such skill and craftsmanship, and we see this through every barrier broken, as well as the confidence and the belief in themselves. Autumn asked all the women in the room to stand up, “as this wouldn’t have been possible without them.” I think it will be easier to say that we will see more women being represented against the will of others; it can just mean that a moment may be looked at more differently. That women altogether can create behind-the-scenes and know how to better and more precisely work through their characters in their world. 

 

But as for Sinners, many scenes—including the one that featured dancers at different times in the presence of music- will truly be highlighted in cinema for years to come. The easiest thing we can do is cheer and be hopeful for the future of younger women who are filmmakers and are inspired to bring their direction to the stage. Sometimes an Oscar for this reason may not be so valuable, as people are awed by the brush sweeping through the canvas in smaller trudges to larger and louder remarks that complement each other, a full picture that is only elevated by its parts. The future is in women, and perhaps can only be.



3 Women in History Who Revolutionized Medicine

Suha Arvapalli
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3 Women in History Who Revolutionized Medicine

With March being dedicated to celebrating women’s history and empowerment, we can take this month to reflect on revolutionary female contributions throughout history, in fields like medicine, engineering, and policy.

In healthcare history, female innovators have pioneered the creation of life-saving medications, treatments, and technologies, while battling suppression and having their rights compromised. Modern-day medicine would be insufficient without the work carried out by the female scientists discussed in this post, and history tells us that doing so was no easy feat for them.

The hurdles they had to jump through were endless, fighting for their right to practice medicine and receive education. It is essential for us to reflect upon the women who paved the way for medicine today, while empowering the incoming generation of future female physicians.

 

Photo by Sweet Life on Unsplash

Gerty Radnitz Cori

Gerty Cori is the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. A professor in biochemistry at Washington University, Cori received her M.D. degree in Prague and moved to the U.S. soon after. Her extensive research did not prevent her from being faced with misogyny and discrimination in her field. She and her husband worked together to discover the Cori Cycle, depicting how glucose is converted into glycogen in the human body.

Cori’s work transformed diabetes treatment, and as she continued to study enzymes in the human body, she discovered the connection between missing enzymes and gene defects. Gerty Cori set the stage for the development of diabetes treatments and brought studies on genetic defects to light.

 

Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash

Virginia Apgar

Virginia Apgar was an anesthesiologist, surgeon, and advocate in the field of women’s health and neonatal care. She is known for breaking stereotypes and standing her ground against discrimination, breaking the stigma around birth defects in babies and educating parents on a global scale.

Apgar conducted research after graduating with her anesthesiologist’s certification from Columbia, working to find the underlying cause of the constant rate of death in newborns, despite mortality going down. She developed the Apgar Score, a method of assessing a newborn’s health and identifying at-risk babies with underlying conditions as soon as they exit the womb. The method was named after the inventor, but was also a mnemonic, standing for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. The Apgar Score is used by physicians worldwide and has allowed for a decrease in the rate of death for newborn babies.

 

Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash

Francoise Barre-Sinousi

The 2008 Nobel Prize recipient in Physiology or Medicine and French virologist, Barre-Sinousi is credited with her and her companions’ work in discovering HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and in turn, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). She was a core member of the research team tasked with finding the cause of AIDS, and did so by dissecting the lymph node of an infected patient, leading to the discovery of HIV.

She is a modern pioneer and continues to be an inspiration for many young women and girls entering the field of medical research. Her work today led to the creation of revolutionary treatments for AIDS and HIV, allowing for faster diagnosis of the disease, as well as the development of antiviral drugs.

 

TL;DR

Medicine would be nowhere near as developed without the contributions of the following researchers:

  • Gerty Radnitz Cori: Nobel prize winner, professor in Biochemistry, revolutionized diabetes treatment
  • Virginia Apgar: An anesthesiologist and surgeon, created the Apgar score, which allowed for faster diagnosis of birth defects in newborn babies
  • Francoise Barre-Sinousi: Nobel prize recipient, discovered HIV and AIDS

March is the month of female empowerment. Advocating for women’s rights and celebrating female accomplishments is important now more than ever, given the current state of affairs, especially in rapidly developing fields like STEM.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Your Brain’s Little Glitch: Understanding Déjà Vu

Krupa P
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Your Brain’s Little Glitch: Understanding Déjà Vu

Have you ever walked into a place or experienced a moment and felt like you’ve already lived it before?  That strange, almost eerie feeling is called déjà vu, and it leaves many people questioning what’s really going on in their minds.

Bigger Than Just A Simple Memory Glitch

Déjà vu is a unique and mind puzzling experience. It happens when a strong feeling of familiarity clashes with the clear awareness that this situation shouldn’t even feel familiar at all. That strange mix is what makes déjà vu so different from normal memories and highlights just how complex it really is.

Inside The Brain During Déjà vu

Déjà vu isn’t just your brain messing up, it actually shows how your brain processes stuff. It can feel a little like a delusion, where your brain makes you believe something is real even though it’s not. Basically, your brain tricks you into thinking you’ve been somewhere or done something before, even if you haven’t.

It’s kind of like an illusion, where your senses make things seem real at first, but then you realize they’re not. Scientists say it happens because different parts of your brain send mixed signals. The temporal lobe might tell your brain “hey, this feels familiar,” while the frontal part checks if that’s actually true. When your brain realizes it’s not real, you get that weird déjà vu feeling.

Even though it’s kind of creepy, déjà vu is actually a good thing, it means your brain is checking itself and making sure you don’t confuse made up memories with real ones.

What Makes Déjà Vu Happen?

A bunch of things can make déjà vu happen. Being tired or stressed can increase the chances because your brain’s neurons don’t work as smoothly when it’s worn out.

Dopamine, a chemical in your brain that helps signal when something feels familiar, also plays a part. This might be why some medicines or drugs that change dopamine levels can make déjà vu happen more often.

Age matters too. Younger people usually get déjà vu more than older people because their brains are more active and better at checking memories. As we get older, our brain’s ability to notice these little glitches may slow down.

Déjà vu is more than just a weird memory mistake, it shows just how complicated and amazing our brains really are.

Wrapping It Up

Déjà vu is one of those weird experiences that makes you stop and wonder how your brain works. It’s not just a memory mistake, it’s your brain sending signals, checking itself, and sometimes getting a little mixed up. Things like being tired, stressed, or even your age can make it happen more often, and chemicals in your brain, like dopamine, play a role too.

Even though it can feel strange or creepy, déjà vu actually shows how smart and complex your brain really is. It’s a small reminder that our minds are constantly working, fact checking, and keeping us aware of what’s real. So next time it happens, just know it’s your brain doing its job just in a really weird and fascinating way.

1

 

Ada Lovelace: The Girl Who Imagined the Future of Computers

Khanh Linh
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Ada Lovelace: The Girl Who Imagined the Future of Computers

When we talk about computers today, we often think about coding, apps, and artificial intelligence. But did you know that the idea of computer programming started almost 200 years ago? And it was imagined by a young woman named Ada Lovelace.

Who was Ada Lovelace?

Ada Lovelace (full name Augusta Ada Byron) was born on December 10, 1815, in London, England. She was the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron, but she did not grow up with him. Her parents separated when she was a baby.

Ada’s childhood was very different from that of most girls at that time. She was often sick and could not go to regular school. Instead, she studied at home. Her mother believed strongly in education and made sure Ada learned mathematics and science—subjects that were unusual for women in the 1800s.

Her Big Idea

Ada met a mathematician named Charles Babbage, who designed a machine called the Analytical Engine. It was an early idea of a computer, but it was never fully built.

Ada did something amazing. She translated an article about this machine and added her own notes. In those notes, she explained how the machine could follow instructions to solve problems. She even wrote a step-by-step method (an algorithm) to calculate special numbers called Bernoulli numbers.

Because of this, many people call her “the first computer programmer”.

Why is she important?

Ada was the first person to understand that machines could do more than just calculate numbers. She believed computers could one day create music, art, and more. This idea was far ahead of her time.

Her work helped shape the future of modern computing, even though people did not fully recognize her contributions until many years after her death.

Her Life and Legacy

Ada married William King and had three children. Sadly, she struggled with illness throughout her life and passed away in 1852 at the age of 36.

Today, she is remembered as a pioneer in technology. Every year, Ada Lovelace Day is celebrated to honour women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Final Thoughts

Ada Lovelace did not build a computer, but she imagined what computers could become. Her ideas changed the world, and they continue to inspire young people, especially girls, to explore science and technology.

Source: [1], [2], [3]

Recap of the 98th Academy Awards

Anne J
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Recap of the 98th Academy Awards

On March 15th, 2026, the 98th annual Oscars awards ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The Academy Awards, casually known as the Oscars, is an annual awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the most brilliant minds in film making – from actors, directors, sound editing crews, documentary directors and many more. In each category are usually 5 nominees, chosen by members in a group of film industry experts called the Academy, with the winner receiving one of the most prestigious awards in the film world: the golden Academy Award of Merit, or an Oscar.

This year’s Oscars was an exceptionally exciting night, with numerous record breaking nominations, historic wins and completely new categories introduced. To name a few:

  • Sinners set an all time record for film with the most nominations, with 16!
  • Category of Best Casting Director added for the first year ever
  • Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman and black person to win Best Cinematography
  • A tie for the 7th time in Oscar history for Best Live-Action Short Film

Highlights on the Winners

Sinners

Directed by: Ryan Coogler

Featuring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Delroy Lindo

As mentioned previously, Sinners set the record for film with the most nominations, and was a widely predicated candidate for such acclamation. From casual movie enjoyers to hardcore film critics, Sinners was undeniably fantastic. Without getting into spoilers, the film follows a group of complex characters from troubled pasts, and whether or not they will continue into equally troubled futures. Multiple honors were bestowed upon Sinners at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards before the Oscars, being praised for mesmerizing cinematography, sound, character and plot depth, cultural resonance through exploring the Black experience in the Jim Crow south, above and beyond acting and so. much. more. So, without furthur ado, here are the Oscars Sinners won this year:

  • Best Original Score (Ludwig Goransson)
  • Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan)
  • Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler)
  • Best Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw)

One Battle After Another

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Featuring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Sean Penn, Alana Haim, Benicio del Toro, Wood Harris, Chase Infiniti

One Battle After Another was another power house at this year’s Oscars, being nominated for 9 Oscars, and taking home the most awards, including some of the top honors. The film is a character – driven drama, following a group of individuals who all face their own battles, one after another (like the title suggests!). One Battle After Another has been critically acclaimed for it’s deeply sensitive and human storytelling, nuanced plot, and phenomenal acting. Before the Oscars, it brought home several awards at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. One thing that sets One Battle After Another apart from other masterful dramas is it’s fast pacing, and intense action scenes, as compared to the typically slow, soft tone of other films in the genre. The awards it took home at the Oscars this year are as follows:

  • Best Picture 
  • Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson)
  • Best Casting (Cassandra Kulukundis)
  • Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn)
  • Best Adapted Screenplay (Paul Thomas Anderson)
  • Best Film Editing (Andy Jurgensen)

Frankenstein

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

Featuring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, Charles Dance, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Ralph Ineson, Burn Gorman, Christian Convery

GDT’s Frankenstein is a sensitive creature feature, with truly visually striking cinematography and a unique take on Mary Shelly’s original novel. The film’s gothic artistry is incredibly effective at conveying the emotions of each character’s inner (and outer…) turmoil, and helps cultivate the depressing empathy we feel for the creature. Frankenstein is praised for both it’s emotional depth and genuinely beautiful film-scape – it’s no wonder it took home the bulk of the “visual” Oscar awards.

  • Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey)
  • Best Costume Design (Kate Hawley)
  • Best Production Design (Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau)

These are some, but definitely not all, of the brilliant minds in filmmaking celebrated at this year’s Oscars. I hope you all can watch and find some enjoyment from these masterfully crafted films, and garner some more appreciation for the artists who have worked tirelessly to create them 🙂

 

Read more: Oscars 2026: Winners list in full

 

Featured Image: Photo by Alex Litvin on Unsplash

How to Support Women in Sports

Jianna H
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How to Support Women in Sports

Statistically, girls drop out of athletic extracurriculars by the age of 14 twice the rate compared to boys. This phenomenon is fueled by prejudice, stereotypes and exclusion that make young girls feel ostracized in sport communities. 

Playing sports is far more than just staying healthy and active. Sports build confidence in young girls and skills that carry on throughout their lives. According to the UN, girls who play sports are more likely to stay in school and further their education, and there is a correlation between this and decreased teenage pregnancy. But how can we support girls to feel more comfortable taking up space in this male-dominated field? This women’s history month, try these 4 things to encourage women in sports and pave the way for brighter futures for our young girls. 

1. Watch Women’s Sports

The easiest way to support women is by acknowledging their presence. The biggest misconception is that female sports aren’t interesting to watch, but this is far from the truth. Recently, female athletes have been taken centre stage, proving that gender doesn’t limit a person’s abilities. From dynamic athletes such as the WNBA’S Caitlyn Clark, rugby-playing Levi sisters, or the boundary breaking Alysia Liu. These are just some examples of women who are proving sports aren’t just for boys, and by watching Women’s sports it opens the door to bring more attention to these wonderful women and increases representation.

2. Donating

One of the biggest barriers for female athletes is the lack of funding. For most sports, compared to their male counterparts, female athletes receive less funding and are unable to participate and engage to the same extent despite having the same or even more qualifications. In 2025, the Canadian Women’s rugby team placed second at Women’s Rugby World Cup after fundraising over $1 million for resources to train and prepare the team for the Cup. Without the support of fans, the athletes wouldn’t have been able to represent Canada on the world stage and make waves in Canadian and Women’s sport.

3. Destigmatize

84% of girls stop playing sports after getting their first period. Many people still believe that women are not biologically fit to play sports, these beliefs stop girls from trying sports, building barriers that stay with them for the rest of their lives. We can dismantle stereotypes by breaking stigma around women in sports to create a more welcoming atmosphere for young girls to be confident in what activities they choose, including sports and athletics.

4. Mind Your Language!

The final way to support female athletics is a small gesture that can go a long way. Being mindful of the language we use surrounding female athletes seems insignificant but is extremely important. Phrases like “running like a girl” or “good for a girl” are harmful, and hearing them at a young age can drastically disparage young girls because it plants the idea that they will never be good enough.

Change starts from the grassroots. These small changes will build and build and help create even playing fields for athletes from all different backgrounds.

Sources

1, 2, 3

When War Breaks Out, Women Often Pay the Highest Price

Anie U
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When War Breaks Out, Women Often Pay the Highest Price

In the echoes of brutal artillery and the chaos of collapsing cities, we measure death tolls and count the displaced. How, what is beneath these broad statistics is a deeper, more specific truth that often goes untold: war is not a gender-neutral catastrophe. When conflict erupts, whether in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, or amidst escalating tensions with Iran, women and girls bear a disproportionate and distinct burden. As we observe Women’s History Month, it’s crucial to look beyond the battlefield and recognize that for women, the price of war is paid in everything from lost education and demolished healthcare to the agonizing weight of becoming sole providers in the midst of drastic ruin.

War Is Not Gender-Neutral

It is easy to imagine war as a great equalizer, a tragedy that affects everyone equally, in very similar ways. But the data tells quite a different story. The vulnerabilities that destroy women during conflict are often built into the fabric of society long before the first shot is fired. Pre-existing gender inequalities mean that when a crisis hits, women are both in more acute need of help and harder to reach due to factors like travel restrictions or economic dependence (The IGC, 2024). These structural disadvantages are bound to shatter first when conflict strains or destroys societal safety nets.

Inequality Before the First Shot

The impact of recent conflicts on women’s well-being is staggering. In 2024 alone, over 185 armed conflicts were recorded, with an estimated 676 million women and girls living within 50 kilometers of conflict zones, the highest number we have seen since the 1990s (UN Women, 2025). Unfortunately, in these settings, gender-based violence is customarily used as a deliberate and vile tactic of war, torture, and terror. The United Nations documented a staggering 87% increase in cases of conflict-related sexual violence between 2022 and 2024 (UN Women, 2025).

The destruction of infrastructure also hits women hardest, whereby attacks on healthcare facilities deprive millions of life-saving sexual and reproductive health services. This turns pregnancy into a life-threatening condition for many women (UN Women, 2025). Furthermore, the disruption of education has a gendered impact. Over 85 million children affected by the crisis are out of school, more than half of them girls. In Afghanistan, for instance, four years after the Taliban takeover, 8 out of 10 young women are excluded from education, employment, or training (UN Women, 2025).

The Hidden Costs Women Pay During Conflict

However, to frame women solely as victims is to miss half the story. The very crises that dismantle their safety nets also thrust them into roles of unexpected leadership. When men are killed, displaced, or called to fight, women frequently become the sole heads of households, providers, and community organizers (Global Citizen, 2022). This new responsibility, while heavy, can also be a source of empowerment. Yet, this caregiving role often comes at a severe mental cost, as women are forced to manage the trauma of displacement and loss while supporting their families, frequently with scarce resources and little support for their own psychological needs (PMC, 2006). The stressors are immense, and adequate, culturally-sensitive mental healthcare is rarely available in war-torn regions (PMC, 2006).

From Victims to Leaders

This is why empowering women isn’t just a matter of equality, but instead, it is a matter of survival and effective recovery. Study after study shows that peace agreements negotiated with women at the table are more likely to last. One recent evaluation of peacebuilding efforts in Mali and Niger, for example, found that increasing women’s participation in conflict prevention from 5 to 25% helped resolve more than 100 local disputes (UN Women, 2025). Despite this, women remain largely excluded from formal peace processes. In 2024, available global data indicate that women made up, on average, only 7% of negotiators, 14% of mediators, and 20% of signatories in formal peace processes worldwide, figures far below any target for meaningful participation (UN Women, 2025).

Why Women Must Be Part of Peacebuilding

And yet, the international community continues to sideline them. Less than 1% of peace and security funding reaches women’s organizations (UN Women, 2025). This is a massive strategic failure masquerading as tradition. As crises, including conflict and climate shocks, grow more frequent, development and humanitarian actors must prioritize gender equality. Effective interventions require not just short-term aid, but long-term, coordinated strategies that tackle the root causes of inequality, engage with local women’s organizations, and build systems that are resilient for everyone (The IGC, 2024).

As tensions rise globally, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe and Africa, we must change the way we talk about conflict. We cannot continue to see women as passive recipients of peace, but as active participants in defense and recovery. When war breaks out, women pay the highest price, but they equally hold the most valuable keys to rebuilding what communities are losing. It’s time we let women use them.

Sources

  1. The IGC. (2024, March 20). Why conflict hurts women most and the need for coordinated interventions. International Growth Centre. https://www.theigc.org/blogs/gender-equality/why-conflict-hurts-women-most-and-need-coordinated-interventions

  2. UN Women. (2025, October 20). Facts and figures: Women, peace, and security. UN Women – Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/facts-and-figures-women-peace-and-security

  3. Global Citizen. (2022, March 23). How Do Women and Girls Experience the Worst of War? https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/women-and-girls-impacts-war-conflict/

  4. PMC. (2006, February). Mental health consequences of war: gender specific issues. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1472268/

How Viruses Mutate and Why Vaccines Need Updating

Daniella
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How Viruses Mutate and Why Vaccines Need Updating

Viruses are constantly changing, and this ability to evolve is one of the main reasons they remain such persistent challenges in medicine. While vaccines are highly effective at preventing many infections, they sometimes need to be updated. This is not because vaccines “stop working” in a simple sense, but because the viruses they target can change over time. Understanding how viral mutation works helps explain why diseases like influenza and COVID-19 require updated vaccines.

What it means for a virus to mutate

A virus is not a living cell, but a small packet of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. To reproduce, it must enter a host cell and hijack its machinery to make copies of itself. This copying process is not perfect.

Every time a virus replicates, it makes thousands or even millions of copies. During this process, small “copying errors” can occur in its genetic code. These errors are called mutations. Most mutations are either harmful to the virus or have no effect at all, but occasionally, a mutation gives the virus an advantage.

For example, a mutation might:

  • Help the virus enter human cells more easily
  • Allow it to spread faster between people
  • Help it partially evade the immune system

When a mutation improves survival or spread, that version of the virus is more likely to become dominant. Over time, this leads to new variants.

 

Why viruses like influenza or COVID-19 mutate quickly

Not all viruses mutate at the same speed. RNA viruses, such as influenza and coronaviruses, tend to mutate more rapidly than DNA viruses. This is partly because RNA replication is more error-prone, and also because these viruses produce large numbers of copies in a short time.

Influenza is a classic example. Its surface proteins, called hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), are constantly changing. These proteins are what the immune system recognizes, so even small changes can reduce how well previous immunity works. This is why seasonal flu vaccines are updated regularly.

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, also mutates, although in a slightly different way. Over time, variants such as Alpha, Delta, and Omicron emerged, each with changes in transmissibility or immune evasion. Some of these changes affected how well existing vaccines matched the circulating strains.

 

How vaccines work and why they need updating

Vaccines train the immune system to recognise specific parts of a virus, often proteins on its surface called antigens. When the immune system encounters these antigens, it produces antibodies and memory cells that allow it to respond quickly if the real virus appears later.

However, if a virus mutates significantly, those surface antigens can change shape. This is similar to changing the appearance of a “target” that the immune system was trained to recognise. The immune system may still respond, but it may not be as fast or as effective. This is why vaccines are often described as being “well-matched” or “less well-matched” to circulating strains, rather than simply effective or ineffective.

Vaccines are updated when viral mutations accumulate enough to reduce how well existing immunity protects against infection or disease. This does not usually mean vaccines stop preventing severe illness, but their effectiveness against infection may decline.

A good example is the influenza vaccine, which is updated every year. Global health organisations monitor circulating flu strains and predict which ones are most likely to spread in the upcoming season. Vaccines are then reformulated to match these strains as closely as possible. COVID-19 vaccines have also been updated to target newer variants. Instead of completely redesigning the vaccine from scratch, scientists often modify the existing vaccine to better match the spike protein of newer variants.

 

Mutation and Immunity

Even when viruses mutate, vaccines still play a crucial role. This is because the immune system has multiple layers of defence. While antibodies may become less effective at preventing infection, memory T-cells and other immune responses often continue to reduce the severity of illness.

This means that vaccination still provides protection even when a virus evolves. The goal of updated vaccines is not always to prevent every infection, but to ensure strong protection against severe disease and hospitalization.

 

Virus mutation is a natural and continuous process driven by replication errors and evolutionary pressure. When mutations accumulate in important viral proteins, they can change how well the immune system recognizes the virus. This is why some vaccines need to be updated over time, especially for rapidly evolving viruses like influenza and coronaviruses. Rather than showing a failure of vaccines, this process highlights how dynamic the relationship is between pathogens and the immune system. Vaccines evolve alongside viruses, helping maintain protection in a constantly changing biological environment.

 

Sources:

The Guide to Navigating Your Future Career

Sabarish M
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The Guide to Navigating Your Future Career

Choosing a career can be a tough and intimidating decision to make. We are often told to follow our instincts and choose a career that we are passionate about. But what if there are many different career choices that you like? In this blog post, we will be taking a deep dive into potential ways and steps you can implement to help you decide the right career for you. I am by no means an advisor, so please do your own research before picking your career and use this blog post as simply a guideline. 

Identify your interests and skills

The fundamental step for building a career is to identify what you love to do and what you’re good at. When making decisions, also consider areas which interest you, as having genuine passion is very important for developing a lasting career. It might be complicated to figure this out right away, and it is totally fine if you are having a difficult time with this step. Join clubs, try out extracurricular activities in different fields to gain exposure and see if you like doing it. 

By doing this, you will:

– Discover Hidden Talent: You might find out some natural characteristics that you have and your interests, which you may not have known before.

– Build a Network: Aside from gaining exposure, building a network of people connects you with valuable mentors who can give advice and insight into their careers. Additionally, you can make new friends.

Booking an Appointment with your School Counsellor

Your school counsellor is an amazing person who can assist you with identifying possible career paths you could take. They also have many helpful resources that they can send your way. They can also assist you with completing the necessary courses that you need to pursue a specific program in a university, college or trade school. 

Job Shadowing

Once you have narrowed down your potential career paths to two or three, job shadowing is a great way to gain in-depth insight about the duties that you would have in that career. Job shadowing involves observing a professional in a field as they work and complete their tasks. This is a highly effective method to help you pick a career path, as you would see everything they would have to go through and not just an outside glance. How to do it? You can reach out to local businesses and companies through social media platforms like LinkedIn to find someone you may have a connection with, like an alumnus from your school.

Internships

Though getting internships can be a difficult process, if you are able to successfully get into an internship or any work experience program in a related career of your interest, you will gain hands-on experience. This is the best way to see if you can handle the pressure and pace of a specific industry. Even if you decide that a specific career is not for you, the professional skills you gain are transferable to any job you pick later.

Talking with Adults and Professionals

Simply talking with those who are currently working and in the career you may want to pursue is a great way. They have been in your exact same position and will offer great advice to help you choose the right path for you.

Apart from these tips, there are also lots of resources online, like websites like myBluePrint, which you can use to gain an idea about a particular job or career.

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