MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER

Jun 01 2026ENTERTAINMENT

When Comics Tackle Science on Its Own Weird Terms

Science and humor don’t usually mix, but Gary Larson’s The Far Side proved they could collide in hilarious ways. Some of the comic’s wildest takes weren’t just jokes—they actually flipped scientific concepts upside down or ended up influencing real research. Take the rocket strip where a trio of clu

reading time less than a minute
May 30 2026SCIENCE

Why race still messes with health research

Science claims to be all about facts. But when it comes to race and health, some old ideas keep sneaking back in. Many studies still group people by race like it’s a biological fact—not a social label. That causes real problems. For example, medicine treats Black patients differently just because of

reading time less than a minute
May 28 2026OPINION

How science lost its way and found a better path

Science used to pride itself on clean, clear answers built from careful comparisons and strict controls. But one study on memory complaints across different groups shows how messy reality can be when we strip away too much context. Researchers matched participants on nearly every possible variable—a

reading time less than a minute
May 27 2026SCIENCE

Why a quick snooze at lunch might make you smarter

Science says our brains aren’t built to sprint from morning to midnight. Around 1 p. m. most people hit a low-energy dip called the circadian slump. Instead of fighting it with coffee or another screen, researchers tested whether a short nap could fix the problem. The experiment put 20 adults in a

reading time less than a minute
May 26 2026WEATHER

Memorial Day weather in Maryland: from foggy mornings to possible storms

Maryland's Memorial Day weekend started with a blanket of morning fog that lingered until late morning. As the day warmed up, temperatures climbed from the comfortable low 60s to near 70 degrees, pushed by a warm front sliding northward. The air grew thick and sticky by afternoon, setting the stage

reading time less than a minute
May 24 2026SCIENCE

Science Explained: When Even Experts Need a Dictionary

Science communicators often describe their jobs as constant learning. They translate complex research into words everyone can grasp. But what happens when the research itself feels like another language? That’s the daily reality for those breaking down cutting-edge science. Take plasma physics. Exp

reading time less than a minute
May 21 2026POLITICS

Ballot Chaos Shows Maryland Needs Stronger Election Rules

Maryland voters are now asked to trust officials who made a big mistake in sending out the wrong ballots for the upcoming primary. More than 565, 000 mail‑in ballots had to be sent again because the state could not tell who got a correct one. The error is part of a pattern of problems that have plag

reading time less than a minute
May 14 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Human Menaces in Sci‑Fi: The Top Ten Villains

Science fiction often shows monsters that are aliens, robots or weird creatures. But the scariest threats usually come from people themselves. They are easier to relate to and can push the story into deeper territory. The list below starts with a villain who has become an icon. Darth Vader, with

reading time less than a minute
May 14 2026WEATHER

Maryland's weather flip: sunshine in the morning, storms by evening

Maryland started the day with clear skies and temperatures climbing to a comfortable 70°F by noon. The pleasant morning made it ideal for outdoor tasks or quick errands before the weather turned. But after 3 p. m. , a cold front sweeping in from the west brought changing conditions, kicking off a se

reading time less than a minute
May 12 2026POLITICS

Maryland’s new cash help for moms raises questions about past spending

Maryland is joining a growing list of places testing a simple idea: give low-income moms money with no strings attached. The state will work with the Bridge Project, a program started in 2021 that already sends cash to families in ten other cities and states. Unlike typical welfare programs, this on

reading time less than a minute