Today, vaccines protect billions of people from deadly diseases, and for many, the fear of once-devastating viruses like smallpox is a distant memory. But the journey to this life-saving innovation began with a risky and revolutionary experiment—one that changed the course of medicine forever.For centuries, smallpox was one of the most feared diseases on Earth. …
Until the mid-19th century, the Earth’s rotation on its axis was accepted largely through astronomical observation and mathematical inference. While compelling, these methods lacked one key ingredient: a direct, physical demonstration.That changed in 1851, when French physicist Léon Foucault made history with a groundbreaking—and beautifully simple—experiment. He sent out invitations bearing a bold promise: “You …
Today, Gregor Mendel is celebrated as the father of genetics, but during his lifetime, he was simply a humble Augustinian monk from what is now the Czech Republic—fascinated by how traits in plants are passed from one generation to the next.In 1856, Mendel began a groundbreaking series of experiments in the quiet garden of his …
By the 17th century, the science of optics had made significant strides, yet one of its most fundamental mysteries remained unsolved: the true nature of light. While it was known that sunlight could split into different colors, the phenomenon was poorly understood. Many scientists believed that white light was "pure," and that colors appeared due …
How big is the Earth? Today, schoolchildren learn about the planet’s circumference in geography class, with diagrams and globes to help them visualize its size. But more than 2,300 years ago, long before modern tools or even the widespread belief that Earth was spherical, this question remained a mystery—and for many, the idea of a …
In July 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the San Diego County District Attorney Junior DA Academy, held at the Hall of Justice in downtown San Diego. This immersive program wasn’t just an introduction to the criminal justice system—it was a hands-on, eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of law, advocacy, and public …
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the SofYE Summer Experience (SSE) — a two-week entrepreneurship program at the Warren-Walker School of Young Entrepreneurs in San Diego. Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., I stepped into a fast-paced, inspiring environment filled with other teens who, like me, wanted to learn …
Students from underserved communities face significant challenges every day, often creating barriers to their success and personal growth. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of access to resources and opportunities. Many schools in underserved areas struggle with limited funding, which affects everything from textbooks and technology to extracurricular activities. Without these resources, …
On Saturday, February 8, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the BEWiSE “Making Medicines: The Process of Drug Development” workshop at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in San Diego. This workshop was an incredible experience where I got to dive into the world of pharmaceuticals and learn how medicines are discovered, tested, and produced. Exploring …
By Katrin Lobach, 8th Grade, The Preuss School UCSDI am honored to have participated in the California Civics Contest: Building a Better Future, organized by the California State Assembly. This competition encouraged students to propose solutions to pressing societal issues, and I was proud to earn 2nd place out of 150 submissions. My video addressed …