Skip to main content

Articles

Science

Wildlife Detectives

January 22, 2016

It was June 6, 1989, and President George H.W. Bush had just placed a ban on all imports of elephant ivory into the United States. A wildlife inspector spotted a shipment of about 200 ornately carved ivory buttons. The person…

World

A Plan for Iran

April 24, 2015

World leaders have been locked in a battle about Iran's nuclear-power program for years. On April 2, Iranian officials agreed to the outline of a deal with the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany. Years of negotiations and…

Technology

Remembering the Model T

October 3, 2008

On October 1, 1908, the Ford Motor Company introduced the Model T. It was an instant hit. The car came only in black. But at $850, it cost about half as much as other cars on the market. By 1918,…

A boy wearing green headphones and a green t-shirt standing in the cockpit of a plane. The pilot sits behind him.

United States

Taking Flight

October 9, 2025

The chaos of a busy airport. Loud noises on a plane. For some people—particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities —air travel can be overwhelming. The Arc is an organization that supports people with disabilities. It has found a way…

Audio
Spanish

Time Off

Kid-Approved

December 8, 2021

Looking for a cool new book this season? TFK Kid Reporters read and reviewed some of the best books of the year. Barb the Last Berzerker: Book 1 Barb of Bailiwick is the last Berzerker of her generation. The rest…

Audio

TFK Library

Fannie Lou Hamer

January 1, 2020

Fannie Lou Hamer (October 6, 1917—March 14, 1977) was a civil rights activist. She fought to expand voting rights for African Americans and raise awareness of the terrible impact of segregation. As an African American born in the South…

Audio
Video

World

The World's Coolest Places to Play

December 5, 2019

ArcelorMittal Orbit London, United Kingdom Think art’s not exciting? The monumental ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in London, will change that. The 376-foot-tall sculpture was created by artist Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond. It’s wrapped in…

Time Off

American Flavor

May 22, 2019

Biscuits and chocolate gravy are breakfast food in Arkansas. Immigrants from Somalia, in Africa, make meat-stuffed pastries called sambusas in Minnesota. In North Dakota, bees produce about 34 million pounds of honey a year. These are among the delicious little…

TFK Library

Alexander Hamilton

July 31, 2018

Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757—July 12, 1804) is one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. In his short life, he served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, was the first U.S. secretary of the treasury, and established…

World

Kids of Kakuma

April 11, 2018

KAKUMA, Kenya — Wild animals roamed at night, but Rose Peter and the 19 other children she was with still managed to sleep in the bush. In daylight, they walked. “One week,” Rose tells me when I ask how long…

Audio
Spanish

Election 2020

Democrats Take the Stage

July 29, 2019

There are 24 people running to become the Democratic nominee for president. Only one will be the party’s pick. That person will go up against President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. The next step of the competition will take…

A snowboarder wearing a helmet rides down a snowy slope with other people in the distance.

Environment

Getting Warmer

April 3, 2026

From 2015 to 2025, Planet Earth saw its 11 warmest years on record. That’s according to the annual State of the Global Climate report. The report was published by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization on March 23, also known…

Audio
A snow leopard rests on a rock, looking forward with its paws tucked under its chin.

Science

Frozen Hope

March 4, 2026

There are more than 8 billion people on the planet. By 2050, that number is expected to be nearly 10 billion. But other species have a less certain future. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, about 30% of known…

Audio

World

Ready, Set, Play!

May 31, 2024

June 11 will mark the first-ever International Day of Play. On March 26, the United Nations adopted a resolution to create a day on which to honor play worldwide. Play is more than just a pastime for kids. It’s a…

Audio

United States

Animal Action

February 14, 2024

In December, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) turned 50. It has rescued hundreds of animals and plants from going extinct. The ESA passed in 1973. It directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to…

Audio

Environment

Reef Relief?

September 24, 2021

Tony Fontes first went scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef in 1979. A native Californian, he was so amazed by the experience that he decided to stay in Australia and work as a dive instructor. “The marine life and…

Audio
Spanish

Community

Nobel Prize Win

October 16, 2020

The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the World Food Programme (WFP). The news was announced on October 9. WFP is a United Nations agency. It provides emergency help to people who don’t have access to food. Its…

Audio

World

Education Update

August 5, 2020

“The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest disruption of education ever,” said António Guterres on Tuesday. Guterres is secretary-general of the United Nations (U.N.). In a video message to the world, he spoke of schools closed in more than…

Audio

World

Matching a Million

June 15, 2020

Korean pop group BTS have donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter organization. The donation, which was announced on June 6, came after the death of George Floyd. Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was killed by a police officer…

Audio

World

Royal Exit

January 17, 2020

Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the duke and duchess of Sussex, made an announcement on January 8. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members” of the royal family, they wrote on their official Instagram page. The couple said…

Audio