Stephen Ornes

Freelance Writer

Stephen Ornes has been writing for Science News Explores since 2008, and his 2014 story "Where Will Lightning Strike?" won an AAAS/Kavli Gold Award. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., and he has three children, who are inventing their own language. His family has a cat, six chickens, and two rabbits, but he secretly thinks hagfish are the most fascinating animals. Stephen has written two books. One is a biography of mathematician Sophie Germain, who was born during the French Revolution. The other, which was published in 2019, features art inspired by math. Visit him online at stephenornes.com.

All Stories by Stephen Ornes

  1. Young scientists make the cut

    Thirty middle school students are selected for final round of Broadcom MASTERS science competition.

  2. Space

    Super star-maker

    A distant galaxy cluster churns out stars at a whopping rate.

  3. Physics

    Crime-solving camera

    Criminals can’t hide their crimes with paint anymore, thanks to a lighting trick and an ordinary camera.

  4. Humans

    The origins of mummies

    Scientists speculate on why ancient South Americans started preserving their dead.

  5. Climate

    Hot summer for a cold island

    A rare heat wave rolled over Greenland in July, thawing its ice and snow.

  6. Physics

    Elephant songs

    Scientists figure out how elephants make their low, low rumble.

  7. Microbes

    Surprising rabies resistance

    Amazon villagers survive deadly disease carried by vampire bats.

  8. Science & Society

    Airports that speed germs’ spread

    Scientists identify which U.S airports are able to spread disease most effectively.

  9. Health & Medicine

    Bye-bye, egg allergy

    Eating tiny amounts of eggs helps some children overcome their egg allergy.

  10. Physics

    No more bubble trouble

    Dolphin’s clicks help scientists sort through confusing underwater noises.

  11. Genetics

    Twins don’t share everything

    Twins carry different flags on their DNA, even from birth.

  12. Physics

    Walking on water

    Scientists explain why a liquid can sometimes act like a solid.