Bethany Brookshire

Bethany Brookshire was a longtime staff writer at Science News Explores and is the author of the book Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains. She has a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in philosophy from The College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. in physiology and pharmacology from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She was a 2019-2020 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT, the winner of the Society for Neuroscience Next Generation Award and the Three Quarks Daily Science Writing Award, among others.

All Stories by Bethany Brookshire

  1. Archaeology

    Let’s learn about mummies

    A mummy is a preserved body. They’re fun and spooky, but also a great chance to learn about people of the past.

  2. Tech

    Scientists Say: GPS

    A GPS system relies on satellites orbiting the planet, constantly sending signals back to receivers on Earth.

  3. Animals

    Let’s learn about bioluminescence

    Some animals, bacteria and algae produce their own light. This bioluminescence can attract mates or protect from predators.

  4. Space

    Let’s learn about the sun

    The sun is our own personal star and the reason life exists on Earth.

  5. Life

    Scientists Say: Excretion

    Every living thing produces waste. Excretion is how organisms take out the trash.

  6. Environment

    Let’s learn about rain

    People need rain for their crops and their drinking fountains. But there sometimes can be too much of a good thing.

  7. Chemistry

    Let’s learn about colors

    The colors we see come from electromagnetic waves traveling through space and hitting our eyes.

  8. Life

    Why you’re spotting more wildlife during COVID-19

    People are seeing more animals than they did before the pandemic. There are many reasons why.

  9. Humans

    Let’s learn about bias

    People can be biased, even if they don’t think they are. Luckily, there are ways to fight our biases.

  10. Chemistry

    Let’s learn about hair

    Hair is made of long, strong protein chains. These chains have a lot of science in them.

  11. Chemistry

    Rock Candy Science 2: No such thing as too much sugar

    Making rock candy at home takes a lot more sugar than you might think. Why? This experiment will show you why.

  12. Physics

    Try This: Walking on water with science

    Water striders walk on water. How do they do it? They spread out. This experiment will show you how it works.