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. Space

    When the universe began … again

    Physicists suggest maybe the Big Bang was the latest of many bangs.

  2. Environment

    Lakes, too, feel global warming

  3. Environment

    What’s in your receipt?

    Here's one way to avoid BPA this holiday season.

  4. Brain

    Jet lag slows hamster brains

    Study suggests chronic jet lag could affect human brains too.

  5. Tech

    Students put robots to the test

    Robotics competition inspires student inventors, future scientists.

  6. Environment

    The carbon dioxide coral generation

    More acidic oceans could mean fewer young corals.

  7. Animals

    What the cat’s tongue catches

    New study shows how cats use physics to drink.

  8. Environment

    The carbon dioxide coral generation

  9. Tech

    Coffee gives robots a grip

    Ground coffee, balloon and vacuum create robotic 'hand'

  10. Animals

    Census of the oceans

    Ten years of work reveals new species, amazing diversity.

  11. Physics

    Wet-dog physics

    Wet, hairy animals shake at just the right speeds to get rid of water.

  12. Planets

    Warm lava on a hot planet

    Volcanoes on Venus might be active.