Kathiann Kowalski

Freelance Writer

Kathiann Kowalski loves talking with scientists and engineers about their work and why it matters. And she loves getting into the field — whether that’s at a lab, in a research forest, at a drilling site or on a research boat. She has written more than 700 articles, plus 25 books for young people. “There’s always something new happening — and something new to learn,” she says.

 

Kathi graduated from Hofstra University in New York and got her law degree from Harvard Law School in Massachusetts. She previously practiced environmental law with a large firm. Kathi enjoys hiking, sewing, reading and travel.

All Stories by Kathiann Kowalski

  1. Health & Medicine

    Cool jobs: Brainy ways to battle obesity

    Scientists from different fields are tapping into connections between food and the brain to help people fight obesity and overcome the urge to overeat.

  2. Tech

    Eggshells help hatch a new idea for packaging

    Why just crack an egg? Make the shell into itty bitty bits and use them to build a more biodegradable plastic. New research shows how.

  3. Tech

    Plastic that mimics insect wings kills bacteria

    A new ‘antibiotic’ plastic uses nanotechnology to mimic the hairs on insect wings. Then ouch! Bacterial cells that land on it end up stabbing themselves to death.

  4. Tech

    Cool Jobs: The power of wind

    Science and engineering careers explore all aspects of wind, from terrible tornadoes to aeronautics and clean energy.

  5. Brain

    When smartphones go to school

    Students who use smartphones and other mobile technology in class may well be driven to distraction. And that can hurt grades, studies show.

  6. Science & Society

    U.S. grasp of science is improving — but there’s a catch

    Americans’ grasp of science is improving. But a new study shows that adults’ scores can vary depending on how questions are phrased.

  7. Tech

    Ouchless measles vaccine could save lives

    A new ‘ouchless’ vaccine patch that uses dissolving microneedles could make efforts to vaccinate against measles more practical.

  8. Environment

    Tiny air pollutants are big, big killers

    Air pollution now ranks as the world’s fourth leading cause of death. About 5.5 million deaths in 2013 trace to just one type, called particulates.

  9. Tech

    New football helmets could limit brain injuries

    A new design for football helmets uses three layers to absorb energy from repeated impacts. The result should be fewer athletes with brain injuries.

  10. Chemistry

    Olive oil untangles plastic

    Vegetable oils can make plastic fibers stronger. And the process is safer and better for the environment than other detanglers.

  11. Chemistry

    New bendy device could power wearable electronics

    A new device with lithium and silicon electrodes uses chemistry to generate electricity as it bends back and forth.

  12. Earth

    Rocks hold clues to ancient die-offs

    Rocks that formed during ancient mass-extinction show that the oceans back then had become very warm. That was the last time Earth spewed carbon dioxide into its atmosphere at a rate similar to what is happening today.