It's that time of year again! Time to gather your best research-based images and submit your favorite to the 2015 Northwestern University Scientific Images Contest!

Whether cells, carbon nanotubes, visualizations or crystals, everyday images in the lab represent extraordinary research. Enter today and share your work with the world to win up to $250! The contest is open to Northwestern faculty, students and staff.

SiS partnered with Youth Organizations Umbrella (Y.O.U.) in Evanston to offer an afterschool science program for 3rd-5th graders based on Science Club curriculums. Check out pictures on our Facebook page!

You can now download the "Beauty of Science" app featuring winning images from our annual scientific images contest for FREE from the iTunes store!

Visit our online calendar to learn about upcoming science events in the Chicagoland area. Do it Now!

What makes a stem cell so much more valuable, from a scientific perspective, than any other cell in the body? Stem cells are the chameleons of the cell world, meaning they can transform into any other cell type. A heart cell, for example, is just that: a cell that’s part of the heart. The same goes for skin cells, hair cells, brain cells and nearly every other cell in the human body.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending a sold-out event at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall to see my childhood hero Bill Nye speak about climate-change, space and science education. What resonated with me during the talk was his reminder of humanity’s special relationship to Earth and to the universe.

Every winter in Chicago, I wish I were a Canada Goose. Not because of their overall majesty and awesomeness. It is because, quite frankly, who wouldn’t want to pack up and get out of town when the temperatures plummet relentlessly below freezing for four months straight?

Spring has begun to emerge beneath Chicago’s perpetual blanket of winter snow. With grass turning green, trees sprouting leaves and flowers burgeoning over the next few months, it is hard to think of anything negative about the spring season.