Climate Education for Children through Storytelling and Fiction

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February 21, 2025

Climate Education for Children through Storytelling and Fiction

Storytelling and fiction have long been used as a form of communication. It is an intrinsic part of social connection, as evident from ancient scriptures to present-day print media. Storytelling is crucial for the social and emotional aspects of individuals and their cognitive growth. It aids in enhancing human communication and promoting the healthy sharing of knowledge.

The alarming changes in the climate are a significant concern, as their adverse effects are not limited to the environment but also impact human, animal, and plant life. Individuals of all age groups must have sufficient awareness so that collective action can be taken to mitigate these critical effects.

Traditional storytelling combined with innovative approaches can offer an optimistic way to address climate concerns through education and awareness. The majority of the population in suburban and rural areas are either illiterate or not literate enough to comprehend the complex terms and concepts of climate change.

The key element in crafting a story for awareness is meeting emotional standards. Emotional resonance and intellectual engagement make a narrative successful, as society consists of people with varying levels of emotional intelligence and intellectual abilities. Let’s dive into the details of how storytelling differs for different age groups.

Language Use in Storytelling Across Age Groups

We breathe in very polluted air, drink contaminated water, our food is no longer hygienic and our climate is on the verge of destruction. These pressing issues require equally effective communication to raise awareness and inspire individuals to take appropriate action. Storytelling must be tailored to different age groups, as individuals are at various stages of cognitive and emotional development. Crafting motivational narratives encourages individuals to contribute to climate action.

Young Children (3-7 years old)

Young children have a limited vocabulary, so the words used in storytelling should be simple, and an engaging style should be adopted. Incorporating rhyming words and even poems can help reinforce the message. The moral of the story should be clear and easy to practice, such as keeping water clean, planting trees, loving animals, and not littering.

Mid Childhood (8-12 years old)

Children in this age group have an expanded vocabulary and improved cognitive abilities. As they grow, their capacity for understanding complex narratives—such as pollution, renewable energy resources, and global warming, gradually increases. Stories should encourage students to think critically about the consequences of climate change and the necessary steps to address it.

Teenagers (13-18 years old)

Teenagers can be engaged in more meaningful, thought-provoking, and fact-based discussions about climate change. Using real-world examples and current news can emphasize the urgency of the climate crisis, making it feel immediate and relevant. By this age, teenagers have developed personal interests, and incorporating these into storytelling can create a stronger personal connection. Healthy discussions around these stories can lead to potential solutions, especially if the narratives align with their values.

Use of Illustrations in Climate Change Storytelling

Illustrations make complex climate change issues easier to understand by serving as an effective tool for raising awareness and inspiring action. Sometimes, the public struggles to grasp nuanced concepts and visuals can be especially useful in conveying urgent messages.

For young children aged 3–7 years, cartoon-like, playful, and colorful illustrations help make the narrative friendly and easy to comprehend. For example, a happy panda, a sad polar bear, and smiling trees can encourage empathy and a deeper connection with nature.

Adults (19 and above age)

For adults, storytelling about climate change should be grounded in facts and research, as their cognitive abilities allow them to comprehend complex themes. They can also understand the intricacies of politics and economics involved in implementing environmentally friendly projects. The language should aim to inform and inspire self-accountability.

Stories for Climate Change Education by Age Group

Here we present some climate change-themed stories according to different age groups.

Young Children (3-7 years old)

The Tantrum That Saved the World by Megan Herbert & Michael E. Mann

In this story, a young girl meets victims of climate change—animals and humans— and learns how to play an active role in saving them. These climate refugees visit her home after being displaced by environmental disasters. She initially has a tantrum but eventually channels her emotions into action, taking responsibility for making a difference.

storytelling — The Tantrum That Saved the World by Megan Herbert, Michael E. Mann: 9781623176846 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth

This is a sensitive story about a community that only realizes the value of trees when they are left with the last one after cutting down many for their settlement in a beautiful forest. They must then decide whether to cut it down for their immediate needs or preserve it for the future.

Moreover, Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green and Mike Gordon highlights the importance of recycling through an engaging story format. At the same time, Greta and the Giants by Zoë Tucker and Zoe Persico teach children about advocacy for environmental protection.

Older Children (9–12 years old)

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

A classic story about deforestation and the importance of protecting nature. The Once-ler arrives in a beautiful forest and cuts down Truffula trees despite warnings from the Lorax, who speaks for the trees. When the last tree falls, the Once-ler’s industry collapses. In the end, he entrusts the last Truffula seed to a boy, leaving him with a message to care for nature.

The Lorax: Dr. Seuss Revisited and Revised - Zinn Education Project — The Lorax: Dr. Seuss Revisited and Revised – Zinn Education Project

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

It is a mystery-adventure story about Roy Eberhardt, who, along with his friends Mullet Fingers and his stepsister, works to stop an illegal development project to save a colony of endangered burrowing owls.

Earth Heroes by Lily Dyu

This book is a collection of twenty real-life stories of young climate activists who have made a difference. It features profiles of notable figures such as Greta Thunberg, Sir David Attenborough, Isatou Ceesay, and Yin Yuzhen. The story aims to inspire readers through real-world examples of personal dedication and innovative thinking.

Teenagers (13–18 years old)

Dry by Neal Shusterman & Jarrod Shusterman

A dystopian thriller novel about a California drought known as the “Tap-Out” and the devastating consequences of water scarcity. The story follows Alyssa, a teenage girl, who, along with her friends, embarks on a desperate search for water. Their journey turns into a fight for survival as they face dehydration, violent encounters, and moral struggles. The novel powerfully illustrates how extreme circumstances can push people to their limits when resources run out.

Orleans by Sherri L. Smith

This dystopian novel is set on the Gulf Coast, which has been devastated by hurricanes and a deadly disease called Delta Fever. In response, the U.S. government builds a wall to isolate the region from the rest of the country. The story follows Fen de la Guerre, who fights for the safety of her newborn baby sister, and Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States dedicated to finding a cure for Delta Fever. The novel conveys powerful themes of survival, sacrifice, and the resilience of humanity in the face of climate-related adversities.

We Are the Weather Makers by Tim Flannery

The book explores the impact of human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, on global warming and extreme weather conditions. It highlights potential solutions and emphasizes the role of individuals and communities in reducing carbon emissions. Through its message, the book aims to inspire young readers to take action and engage in climate activism.

Similarly, Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd documents the life of a teenage girl living in an era of carbon rationing.

Adults (19 and above ages)

The Overstory by Richard Powers

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, it follows the lives of nine individuals deeply connected to trees. As their stories intertwine, the Novel explores the beauty and resilience of trees while highlighting humanity’s often destructive behavior toward the natural world.

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

It is a sci-fi novel that explores how humanity might take necessary steps to address climate change in the future. The Novel begins with a devastating heatwave in India, leading to the creation of a global organization called The Ministry for the Future, which advocates for the planet’s survival. Blending real science, economic strategies, and geopolitical conflicts, the book envisions how the world could unite to tackle the environmental crisis.

Storytelling and fiction have been a fundamental part of human culture for centuries. In the context of climate change education, it simplifies complex concepts, fosters empathy, and strengthens community connections. We can implement storytelling and fiction for climate education by organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions. The power of narratives can be utilized to educate and mobilize individuals and communities for meaningful action.

“The best arguments in the world won’t change a person’s mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story”. ~Richard Powers

References:

Storytelling to accelerate climate solutions. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-54790-4
Storytelling as a tool to promote plurilingualism. https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/storytelling-as-a-tool-to-promote-plurilingualism/
Effective Strategies for Teaching ESL across age groups. https://5minuteenglish.com/effective-strategies-for-teaching-esl-across-age-groups/
How can we make people care about sustainable fashion? https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/sustainability/how-can-we-make-people-care-about-sustainable-fashion-climate-change?
Principles for effective communication and public engagement on climate change. https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2017/08/Climate-Outreach-IPCC-communications-handbook.pdf?
A toolkit for climate storytelling. https://www.thisisplaneted.org/img/ContentCreatorsToolkit.pdf?
Konnie Huq launched a free climate crisis ebook for UK primary schools. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/04/konnie-huq-free-climate-crisis-ebook-primary-schools-jamie-oliver-mary-portas-david-baddiel-adam-kay?
How the climate museum hopes art will spur action. https://time.com/7024811/climate-museum-new-york-art-change/?
Climate change will be taught in California middle schools, thanks to our curriculum. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/climate-change-california-middle-schools-curriculum?
Children of Saturn is a game about growing up under the shadow of climate catastrophe. https://www.polygon.com/gaming/511344/children-of-saturn-la-fires-climate-change?
Book review: The Tantrum That Saved the world. https://ncse.ngo/book-review-tantrum-saved-world
Children’s book review: The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth. https://www.sincerelystacie.com/2021/03/childrens-book-reviews-the-last-tree-by-emily-haworth-booth/
Little turtle and the changing sea. https://www.booksfortopics.com/book/little-turtle-and-the-sea/
The Lorax. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lorax
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoot_(novel)
Book review: Earth Heroes. https://earthbound.report/2019/11/18/book-review-earth-heroes-by-lily-dyu/
Book review: Dry by Neal Shusterman & Jarrod Shusterman. https://firstlinereader.blog/2019/12/29/book-review-dry-by-neal-shusterman-and-jarrod-shusterman/
Book review: Orleans by Sherri L. Smith. https://www.thebooksmugglers.com/2013/03/book-review-orleans-by-sherri-l-smith.html
We Are the Weather Makers by Tim Flannery. https://library.si.edu/donate/adopt-a-book/we-are-weather-makers
The Overstory by Richard Powers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Overstory
This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/19/this-changes-everything-capitalism-vs-climate-naomi-klein-review
The Ministry for the Future. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_Future

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California Wildfires — A Glimpse into Hell on Earth

Yameen Bin Yahya

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February 19, 2025

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California Wildfires — A Glimpse into Hell on Earth

In early January, a series of large and small fires started to form a ring of blazes around Los Angeles. The largest fire is the Palisades Fire, located along the Pacific Coast west of downtown Los Angeles. As of Tuesday, it has burned more than 23,400 acres and is 65 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. This fire has prompted evacuations along the Pacific Coast Highway, affecting areas including Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Santa Monica.

The second largest fire is the Eaton Fire, which was situated in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Pasadena. It has burned over 14,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced tens of thousands of residents due to mandatory evacuations. As of Tuesday, containment of the Eaton Fire has reached 89 percent.

California, once a beautiful place filled with nature, is now engulfed in fires. These weren’t average backyard bonfires; they were massive infernos that scorch the state annually. There has been massive damage to the infrastructure of California as around 12,300 homes have been burnt down, affecting the US economy tremendously. The US lost 250 billion dollars in providing aid and infrastructure to the fires.

Wildfires are fires that spread rapidly through vegetation. They occur in grasslands and dry areas with a lot of vegetation. Lightning and volcanic eruptions cause wildfires, but humans can also cause them by lighting campfires, not discarding cigarettes properly, and falling electrical lines.

Why are these fires getting intense?

Dr. Crystal Kolden, Fire Science Expert, says in her research: “Rising global temperatures and prolonged drought have created a perfect storm for wildfire conditions. Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s here.”

Higher temperatures mean drier conditions, turning forests into tinderboxes. Vegetation and trees become super dry and easily ignitable.

California has been experiencing a mega-drought, meaning prolonged periods of extreme dryness. This has weakened the trees, making them more susceptible to disease and insect infestations, which can further increase fire risk. Additionally, stronger winds fan the flames, spreading fires rapidly across vast areas. These winds can also create incredibly dangerous fire whirlwinds.

What makes California Wildfires different?

California wildfires are unique due to its Mediterranean climate, which creates ideal fire conditions with hot, dry summers and mild winters, frequent droughts, and strong winds, like the Santa Ana, further intensify the risk. The state’s dense vegetation and tree die-offs from pests and drought add fuel, while its mountainous terrain accelerates fire spread.

Human factors, like the urban-wildland interface and power line failures, increase ignition risks. Climate change has extended the fire season, making mega-fires more common. These fires are intense, creating fire tornadoes and poor air quality.

How can we prevent these going forward?

Michael Gollner, a Fire Behavior Researcher at UC Berkeley, says, “Creating defensible spaces around homes and utilizing non-flammable building materials are crucial steps to enhance resilience against wildfires.” ~(The Atlantic)

We must take action on multiple fronts to prevent events like California wildfires. Controlled burns and vegetation management reduce fire fuel while creating defensible spaces around homes, which improves safety, and they can also create fire breaks around communities. Communities should prioritize fire-resistant building materials and emergency planning.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy can combat climate change, a key factor in increasing wildfires. Early detection systems like drones and satellites help catch fires before they spread. Public education on fire safety and strict regulations on risky activities are essential. Finally, government support and funding for forest management and firefighting resources are crucial to long-term wildfire prevention.

The Hotter, Not the Better— Lessons from a Heartbroken Turkish Story

Hasan Goksel Ozdilek

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February 17, 2025

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The Hotter, Not the Better— Lessons from a Heartbroken Turkish Story

The sun blazed down on Kizilkecili village in Canakkale, a Turkish city on the Southern shores. A technician started to put signs on agricultural fields, trees, and bushes for an access road to a new wind energy project early in the morning. 10 turbines, 40 MW of electricity per year, and five employees are the main figures for that project. Around 10 o’clock an excavator started to dig the ground. There was something wrong though. There was a big tree and its branches home to a chorus of sparrows.

Inside, the operator kicked back, sipping on a Coke, oblivious to the onlookers outside. “Look at him,” one villager scoffed. “Comfortable in there while that tree dies.” “Yeah, well, we need the electricity. It’s getting hotter each year!” another added, shaking his head. As the machine’s claw tore into the bark, the sparrows took flight, their frantic chirps echoing the despair rising in the hearts of those witnessing this habitat destruction. “What will we do without these trees?” one woman cried. But the excavator did not stop, the tree groaning as its roots were uprooted, the sparrows now mere shadows against the blue sky, their eggs lost to an indifferent world.

The wooden benches in the village hall creaked under the weight of anxious bodies. A flickering fluorescent light buzzed overhead as villagers filed in, their murmurs quickly rising into a cacophony of concern.

“Did you hear about the meeting?” a woman whispered, clutching her shawl tightly. “Yeah, they’re pushing for those wind turbines,” another replied, shaking her head. “What about our trees?” At the front, the village leader cleared his throat, his voice steady yet strained. “Thank you all for coming.

I informed all men about this new wind energy project.” A man in the back jumped up, his face flushed. “What about the old oak and our fields? These were home to so many birds! Are we just going to let it be destroyed?” “Exactly!” a voice piped up from the side. “Those sparrows depend on it. We can’t just sacrifice our nature for power!”

The leader raised his hands for silence. “I understand your concerns, but this project will bring jobs and clean energy. We need to think about the future!” “Future?” a woman scoffed, her voice trembling with anger. “What kind of future is it if our children don’t have trees? Wind turbines kill bees, increase suicide rates, decrease rainfall.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. One by one, the villagers exchanged glances, their unease palpable. “We need answers!” someone shouted, breaking the tension. “Yeah! This isn’t just about electricity!” another added, their voices rising in a chorus of dissent. As the meeting wore on, the stakes became clear. The villagers stood united, their love for the land outweighing the promises of progress.

The sun dipped low in the Kizilkecili sky, casting long shadows over the village square, where the scent of grilled corn mingled with the lingering dust of the day late that year. Laughter echoed as children chased each other near the fountain, but the jovial atmosphere shattered with the blaring of brakes. “What’s happening?” a woman asked, her eyes wide as she turned towards the commotion.

“An accident,” a man replied, jaw tightening. “Down at the junction of the main road and the earth road.” They rushed to the scene, where a crowd had gathered. The sight was grim; the twisted metal of a motorbike lay crumpled against a staff service, the air thick with tension and sorrow. Villagers murmured in disbelief, faces pale under the fading light.

“Is it true?” someone whispered. “Did it happen?” A voice broke through the noise, trembling. “It was Kerim. I saw him… he didn’t make it.”

The Leader pushed through the throng, his face grave. “Let’s keep the area clear. Emergency services are on their way.” “Why can’t they fix that road?” a man yelled, fists clenched. “It’s dangerous! Someone had to die for them to pay attention?”

As the sirens neared, a heavy silence settled. The laughter of the children felt distant. The villagers stood together, united in grief, their hearts aching for a man who had given so much to their community, now taken too soon.

One week later, after spending a week in critical care, Kerim passed away. The driver of the service vehicle ended up in jail.

Also Read: Journeying through the history of science with Dr. Paul Halpern

The Dark Side of Climate Change: Crimes, Conflicts and Environmental Destruction

Hifz Ur Rehman

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February 14, 2025

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The Dark Side of Climate Change: Crimes, Conflicts and Environmental Destruction

It was the afternoon of an Arid winter season, in January 2025, when trails of smoke billowed through the sky as wildfires consumed acres of dried land in Los Angeles. Amidst the turmoil, as firefighters battled the firestorm, reports of looters plundering evacuated homes began to surface. These disturbing events indicate a deeper, sneakier trend — the dark side of climate change.

Climate change is not just an environmental crisis, it is shaping crime patterns. Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts devastate economies leaving many without stable incomes. Some turn to survival crimes like burglary or theft. While some exposed to organized crime are lured into drug trading or even human trafficking.

Continued greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures intensify heat islands, resulting in water shortages, rising sea levels, increased flood-related risks, and worsening pollution. Climate change is already disrupting cities around the globe. By the end of this decade, more than two-thirds of the population is expected to live in urban areas. African, American, and Asian cities are more prone to disasters, with coastal regions of North America and Western Europe on the front lines.

Crimes — Cities at risk of environmental crisis due to climate change Worldwide. Photo: Times

Climate change and criminal activities highlight the link between environmental factors and societal behavior. These factors influence crime patterns differently depending on their duration and the societal conditions they create. Floods, storms, and forest fires are short-term shocks, leading to instant consequences, including loss of lives and injuries.

Such events cause significant stress on healthcare systems, disruption of basic infrastructure, and the displacement of communities. These circumstances can give rise to non-violent property crimes.

The heat-crime hypothesis proposes that rising temperatures can fuel aggression and increase crime rates. Heat stress makes people more likely to misapprehend social interactions as hostile, leading to violent reactions. Warmer weather creates more opportunities for crime. When people spend more time outdoors, there are increased chances of conflicts and property crimes. In America, from 1980 to 1990, there was a strong link between heat and violent crime. One study based on 10-year data revealed that hotter years saw higher rates of deadly assaults.

Recent predictions paint a concerning picture. By the end of this century, increasing temperatures might lead to millions of violent crimes including murders, robberies, burglary, vehicle theft, and assaults. Worldwide studies resonate with this trend as it is revealed that a 1°C increase in temperature leads to a rise in homicide rates across several countries.

Exposure to air pollutants can influence aggression and impulsive behavior ultimately snowballing criminal activity. In urban settings, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter (PM2.5) are the pollutants linked to mental health disorders and delinquent behavior. Air pollution causes brain inflammation and oxidative stress impairing neural function and increasing the chances of violent behavior, particularly among youth.

The lead hypothesis links increasing crime rates in the U.S. from the 1960s to 1990s to lead exposure from gasoline. Lead poisoning contributed to aggression, impulsivity, and lower IQ, factors that may have fueled criminal behavior. As leaded fuel was phased out in the 1980s, the rate of crimes dropped significantly by the late 1990s.

Research in London disclosed that a 10-point rise in air pollution levels (AQI) led to a nearly 1 percent increase in crime. As air quality declines, these findings raise urgent concerns about the broader societal effects of climate change.

Climate change exacerbates human vulnerabilities, fostering fertile conditions for criminal activity. Floods, hurricanes, and wildfires frequently disrupt communities and strain law enforcement resources. This situation creates opportunities for individuals looking to exploit others’ suffering.

The changing climate is intensifying the scarcity of resources. Agricultural failures, droughts, and shrinking water supplies are becoming more common, powering conflicts over basic needs. The Turkana and Pokot tribes, in Northwestern Kenya, have repeatedly clashed over access to grazing land and reducing water resources. These face-offs often result in cattle raids, which threaten lives and destabilize the whole region.

The aftermath of disasters due to climate change disrupts basic services like food security, water supplies, and healthcare. Disease outbreaks may occur. As resources become scarce and social systems are strained, tensions rise, leading to an increase in domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and organized crime. This reflects the social and economic instability caused by prolonged recovery efforts.

Beyond opportunistic crimes, organized crimes are profiting from the effects of climate change. In Brazil, criminal groups “forest mafias” are responsible for large-scale deforestation in the Amazon, the world’s largest forest. Illegal logging operations are devastating forests at a serious rate. Likewise, illegal wildlife hunting and trade are booming as species are pushed to the border of extinction.

The long-term impacts of climate change on crime are deep-rooted in persistent stressors like rising sea levels and droughts. With time, these lead to mortality, morbidity, and the diversion of governmental and societal resources to climate adaptation measures. The strain on healthcare and infrastructure often increases inequality, marginalization of certain populations, and systemic vulnerabilities. Consequently, this causes a rise in both violent and non-violent crime as communities struggle with limited resources, unemployment, and survival.

Governments must invest in disaster preparedness and equitable resource management. International cooperation is equally vital. Initiatives like the Paris Agreement must be complemented. Providing legal pathways for migration and cracking down on human trafficking are essential steps in protecting those most at risk. On a local level, developing community resilience can help prevent crime owing to climate disasters. Programs that boost public trust in law enforcement, provide disaster training, and strengthen neighborhood networks can form a shield against crimes.

This dark aspect of changing climate is a reminder that this is not just an environmental issue but a societal one. As temperatures rise and disasters grow more frequent, the accompanying social challenges will demand innovative solutions and a commitment to justice such as implementing technology to map climate change and tracing criminals. Looking at the current scenarios and future needs, it is estimated that a 1 percent increase in police force can bring down murders by 0.67 percent. We can hope for a sustainable, equitable, and secure future by addressing these interconnected issues.

The cattle raids in Kenya, The LA wildfires, and many other crimes are forewarning for the world. They remind us that inaction carries a cost measured in environmental degradation and human suffering. This is the time to act before the dark side of climate change becomes an even greater shadow over our future.

References:

Anderson, C. A., & Anderson, D. C. (1984). Ambient temperature and violent crime: Tests of the linear and curvilinear hypotheses. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46(1), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.46.1.91
Climate change and criminality: what’s the link? – Birmingham Business School Blog. (n.d.). Blog.bham.ac.uk. https://blog.bham.ac.uk/business-school/2021/11/22/climate-change-and-criminality-whats-the-link/
Bondy, M., Roth, S., Sager, L. (2018, April 26) Crime is in the air: the contemporaneous relationship between air pollution and crime – Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment. (2024, August 19). Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. https://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/publication/crime-is-in-the-air-the-contemporaneous-relationship-between-air-pollution-and-crime/
Crimes that affect the environment worsen climate change and biodiversity loss, says UNODC at UN Climate Change Conference – World | ReliefWeb. (2023, December 1). Reliefweb.int. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/crimes-affect-environment-worsen-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-says-unodc-un-climate-change-conference
Hecht, S. (2012). Migration, rural livelihoods & natural resource management. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/97590011/Migration_rural_livelihoods_and_natural_resource_management
Marcus, D. K., Fulton, J. J., & Clarke, E. J. (2010). Lead and Conduct Problems: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 39(2), 234–241. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374411003591455
Ranson, M. (2014). Crime, weather, and climate change. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 67(3), 274–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2013.11.008
Rodriguez, M. (2025, January 18). Nearly 30 people charged for alleged crimes during LA County wildfires. Cbsnews.com; CBS Los Angeles. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/nearly-30-people-charged-for-alleged-crimes-during-la-county-wildfires/
Schilling, J., Akuno, M. H., (2012). Raiding the Future -Impacts of Violent Livestock Theft on Development and an Evaluation of Conflict Mitigation Approaches in Northwestern Kenya. https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/files/case-study-competition/20130322-Raiding-the-Future.pdf
(2015). The Paris Agreement. United Nations Climate Change; United Nations. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
Nugent, C. (2021, 13 May). Why is Asia Home to 99 of the World’s 100 Cities Facing the Greatest Environmental Challenges? Time. https://time.com/6048106/asia-environment-risk-cities/

How Satellite Data Aids in City Planning

Technology

Petro Kogut

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February 12, 2025

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How Satellite Data Aids in City Planning

Cities are living, breathing organisms that change with population growth, changes in the environment, and other needs for infrastructural development. Traditional planning had to rely on ground surveys, historical records, and predictive modeling for this changing phase. However, these conventional methods fall short in today’s world, where the urban landscape is changing even overnight.

Satellite imagery is dramatically changing how cities design, expand, and maintain themselves. The insight that satellites give urban planners with high-resolution, real-time data on land use, flow of traffic, air quality, and even heat emitted by rooftops is from an order unimaginable before.

Today, professionals can even see satellite images in live time to monitor ongoing urban changes, identify emerging challenges, and make data-driven decisions with unprecedented accuracy. From mapping flood-prone zones to optimizing public transportation networks, this technology ensures that modern cities are not just built but smartly designed for sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.

Urban Planning with Satellite Data

Building a prosperous city is rather more than a blueprint and policy decision-making. It involves an insight into how the land, infrastructure, and human activity interact with each other. That is precisely what satellite imagery can capture: it offers an all-encompassing and vibrant view of an urban landscape not possible by methods on the ground.

One of the greatest advantages of satellite data is its ability to capture large-scale patterns while also revealing granular details. From tracking urban sprawl to analyzing green space distribution, planners can use this information to make informed decisions that balance growth with sustainability. Traffic congestion, air pollution, and even temperature variations across different neighborhoods can be monitored and mitigated using satellite insights.

Perhaps most importantly, satellite technology allows planners to work with satellite view in real-time, ensuring that decisions are based on the latest developments rather than outdated maps. This is especially crucial for managing rapid urbanization, responding to natural disasters, and optimizing public services. Whether it’s designing more efficient transportation networks, identifying areas at risk of flooding, or ensuring equitable access to resources, satellite imagery equips urban planners with the data needed to build smarter, more resilient cities.

How It Works!

One of the most significant applications of satellite imagery is tracking urban growth. Cities expand rapidly, and without proper planning, this can lead to congestion, inefficient infrastructure, and environmental degradation. With live satellite views, planners can observe how new developments are altering landscapes in real-time, ensuring that growth is managed strategically rather than reactively.

This data is also invaluable for transportation planning, helping cities reduce congestion by identifying traffic bottlenecks, optimizing public transit routes, and even planning new roadways based on actual movement patterns.

Beyond infrastructure, maintaining environmental balance within urban areas is a growing challenge. With the help of Earth’s real-time satellite view data, planners can monitor changes in air quality, track deforestation, and analyze urban heat island effects. This insight supports the strategic placement of parks, green roofs, and other sustainable design elements that improve air quality and create healthier living environments.

Disaster preparedness is another crucial area where satellite data proves indispensable. By mapping flood-prone zones, tracking seismic activity, or assessing storm damage, cities can enhance their resilience to natural disasters. Real-time satellite imagery allows emergency response teams to quickly evaluate affected areas and coordinate relief efforts more efficiently.

While cities keep growing, embedding satellite imagery into urban planning secures the idea that this is a development grounded in data and makes an urban environment smarter, more flexible, and able to take up new challenges.

Medium & High-Resolution Satellite Imagery

Different levels of resolution provide varying levels of detail, making both medium and high-resolution imagery valuable for urban planning.

Medium-resolution imagery (10–30 meters per pixel) is often used for large-scale urban analysis, such as tracking land-use changes, monitoring air pollution, and assessing regional growth patterns. It provides a broad overview of city dynamics without the need for granular detail.

High-resolution imagery (1–5 meters per pixel) is essential for more detailed planning tasks, such as designing transportation networks, evaluating building density, and mapping small-scale infrastructure projects. This level of detail helps city planners assess everything from road conditions to rooftop solar panel installations.

By integrating these satellite insights into planning efforts, cities can develop in a way that is efficient, sustainable, and resilient, ensuring that the urban spaces of tomorrow are better equipped to handle the challenges of today.

Shaping the Cities of Tomorrow with Satellite Technology

As cities grow more complex, the role of satellite imagery in urban planning will only expand. The ability to analyze landscapes from space is no longer just a tool for monitoring growth but an essential part of designing smart, sustainable cities. Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning are already enhancing the capabilities of satellite data, allowing planners to predict trends, model climate impacts, and create more adaptive infrastructure solutions.

In the future, we may see fully automated urban planning systems that integrate real-time satellite insights with predictive analytics, making cities more efficient, resilient, and prepared for change.

Some cities have already embraced satellite technology in their planning efforts. Singapore, for example, has used satellite imagery to monitor land subsidence and ensure the stability of its infrastructure. In Rio de Janeiro, satellite data has been instrumental in mapping flood-prone areas and improving disaster response strategies. Meanwhile, in Europe, cities like Amsterdam leverage remote sensing to track urban heat islands and develop innovative cooling solutions.

With satellite live view of Earth, planners can now access real-time data that helps them respond to immediate challenges while also designing long-term solutions. Whether it’s optimizing transportation networks, safeguarding natural resources, or improving disaster resilience, satellite technology will remain a cornerstone of modern urban planning. As innovation continues, we can expect smarter cities that are not only more efficient but also more sustainable, livable, and adaptable to the ever-changing world around them.

References:
1. Urban Planning
2. Urban Planning’s New Frontier: The Transformative Power of Satellite Imagery
3. Space Technology: A Catalyst for Smart Urban Planning
4. The Importance of Satellite Image Providers in Urban Planning
5. Exploring the Spectrum of Satellite Imagery Spatial Resolutions

Also, Read: Satellite Technology: Space Strategy for Evolution in Defense and National Security

The Role Models who Empower Young Girls for STEM Fields in Pakistan

Adnan Mirza

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February 11, 2025

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The Role Models who Empower Young Girls for STEM Fields in Pakistan

STEM education is revolutionizing society by giving students a new outlook and a set of adaptable abilities that are useful in a variety of occupations. It fosters adaptability, analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and critical evaluation capacity. Additionally, STEM education promotes social consciousness by making the general public more aware of international issues.

As a result, taking advantage of STEM opportunities helps us move towards a knowledge-driven economy. It deepens our sustainability awareness, resulting in a more sustainable and informed global community.

But what is STEM? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. It focuses on education in the fields of scientific and technological development. STEM education brings These fields together to establish a coherent system that creates professionals capable of transforming society through creativity and environmentally friendly solutions.

This system was introduced in the US in the early 2000s to encourage the younger generation to participate in the mentioned fields. In 2005, the US National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine report highlighted a strong relationship between knowledge-intensive professions and the country’s prosperity. The report also emphasized the importance of innovation to solve social concerns. According to the analysis, there would be disastrous repercussions if the nation could not compete in the global economy due to a sluggish labor force.

Ten years into the introduction of the term, the STEM professions saw a growth rate of three times compared to the growth rate of non-STEM jobs [1].

Despite so much effort, discrimination against specific gender and racial groups remained. We shall focus on the gender gap in the STEM workforce in the US and globally. Moreover, we shall see how Pakistani women scientists and STEM educators are doing their best to address the problem of gender disparity.

GENDER GAP

According to MIT, in 2023, the total number of females in STEM fields is about 28%. Country-wise speaking, in the US, 24% of the STEM field workers are women. In the European Union, the percentage of the workforce in STEM are women is 17%. The numbers are dwindling in the East as well. In Japan, only 16% of the STEM workforce comprises female staff, and 14% in India [2].

Considering Pakistan, UNESCO reports that 47% of the total students who enroll in universities are female. The percentage of female students who enroll in doctoral programs is only 36%. The rate is further reduced in the institutes offering natural sciences programs, i.e., 34% and 45% of medical and engineering programs consist of only 21% female students [3].

MAIN REASONS

Some of the reasons that contribute to the gender gap in the STEM fields include stereotypes that portray STEM as a masculine domain, leading young girls to be discouraged from pursuing such careers at an early stage. Additionally, women remain underrepresented in these fields; their achievements and successes often go unnoticed, and young girls have fewer inspiring figures to admire. This shortage of role models adds to the discouragement and lack of confidence among girls considering pursuing careers in STEM.

Work-life balance also plays a significant role, particularly for women, as demanding careers in engineering and science may prompt some individuals to opt out of managing family responsibilities. Furthermore, gender discrimination and isolation are reported to be prevalent in STEM careers, creating additional barriers for women in these fields.

Addressing these challenges is crucial for promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in STEM, allowing all individuals’ full potential and talents to be harnessed equally in these vital sectors [2].

How do we encourage YOUNG GIRLS into STEM fields? Opinions by the Famous PAKISTANI Women in STEM

Despite all the hardships and deprivation, several women from Pakistan have broken the stereotypes and are playing a pivotal role in contributing to the STEM fields. These women have also been influential in inspiring young girls into STEM fields.

Asifa Akhtar

Asifa Akhtar, the Max Planck Institute of Immunology and Epigenetics Vice President, is dedicated to advancing the careers of young scholars, particularly women. Her objective is to contribute to reducing the gender gap in science. She is a biologist from Pakistan whose research is focused on epigenetics mechanisms and chromatin.

“Gender equality needs to be worked on continuously. There are outstanding women in science, and we should make all the efforts and use our resources to win them for the Max Planck Society”. [4]

She further said it is up to responsible people to create a setting where women can quickly rise and fulfill their dreams of having a successful career [5].

“Nature intended that women are the sex that bears children and, initially, provides them with nourishment, but it’s up to us to create the conditions that make a career in science possible in spite of that.” ~ Asifa Akhtar

“If we want women to progress in science, we need to enable practical solutions such as childcare and time-sharing or home office options,” she added while talking about the role of society in reducing gender inequality [4].

Nergis Mavalvala

In 2017, gravitational waves were discovered by a team of scientists. Nergis Mavalvala, an astrophysicist of Pakistani descent, has been on the team to whom this discovery attributes, and she’s been working on GWs for more than 30 years now. She was born in Lahore and later came to Karachi in her early childhood. She became the ray of hope for many people pursuing scientific careers. Later, in 2020, she became the dean of the School of Science at MIT.

Mavalvala states, “I grew up in a family where the stereotypical gender roles were not observed. So, I grew up thinking women can, must, and should do anything and everything. That is very important for me.” [6]

Mavalvala insisted that Pakistani women can do everything anybody else can. “Anybody should be able to do those things. And I am proof of that because I am all of those things. With the right combination of opportunity, I could do.” [7]

Her comments point toward the fact that everyone has a role in breaking stereotypes. They are starting from the home and moving up to the societal level.

“When everyone has access to education, all the other things come into place… [You’ve] got to do what gives you pleasure, gotta find a way to do it. People should do what they enjoy most, and I think for all of society, whether it’s in Pakistan or elsewhere, we have to create opportunities for young girls to do what they’re good at and do what they love to do must cultivate the sense of wonder in a child,” Mavalvala said during a TV interview in 2016.

Ayesha Arshad

An aspiring astrophysicist from Pakistan, Ayesha Arshad, is pursuing her studies in Germany. Her research is about determining physical parameters such as the temperature and size of hot subdwarf stars. First, she said that it is of utmost importance to encourage and help girls develop reading habits.

She commented, “Reading might seem small at first glance, but this is what worked for me. It sparks curiosity and compels us to ask questions. Reading broadens knowledge, improves critical thinking, and exposes one to diverse perspectives.”

Ayesha Arshad- Women in STEM — Ayesha Arshad

She stated, “Another way is to highlight the achievements of Pakistani women working in science and technology. Listening to or reading about their journey and the hurdles they faced would help the girls decide how to tackle the problems that might come their way better.”

Miss Arshad further added that teaching the history of science and technology and STEM subjects should be necessary in schools. “Girls can better appreciate the significance and relevance of STEM disciplines by learning about scientists’ discoveries, developments, and motivations throughout history.”

She shared her personal life experience and how it wasn’t easy to answer all her family’s concerns. Eventually, she convinced her parents to pursue STEM as a career, and later, her family supported her fully. “Hence, educating the parents is just as important as educating the younger generation,” she added.

Hira Fatima

Hira Fatima is Pakistan’s National Astronomy Education Coordinator (NAEC) at the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office of Astronomy Education. As a Pakistani computational astrophysicist, her passion for encouraging girls into STEM is undeniable. While talking to her on the topic, she provided some valuable insights to raise awareness among the potential future scientists of the country.

According to her, raising awareness among parents to equally support, encourage, and provide young girls with opportunities to pursue STEM is essential.

She further mentions, “As a teacher, I also strive to help girls build confidence in their abilities by addressing impostor syndrome and emphasizing that their voices and contributions are valuable in STEM fields. Additionally, I teach girls the importance of perseverance and overcoming challenges, as success in STEM often requires continuous effort and problem-solving.”

One crucial reason mentioned in the previous section was the underrepresentation of female scientists and role models for the younger generation. Having a role model from whom the children may take inspiration is necessary to build their interest in pursuing scientific careers.

Fatima addressed that issue: “Whenever I organize education and outreach events, I showcase successful female scientists, engineers, and astronomers as role models. By sharing their stories and achievements, young girls can see themselves in similar roles and realize the possibilities within STEM.”

Ramla Qureshi

Ramla Qureshi is a notable name among the famous women in STEM. She is a PhD researcher and assistant professor at the University of Buffalo in New York. Qureshi specializes in studying structures that can withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires [8].

Motivated by the shocking stats of the gender gap in the STEM fields, Qureshi started Women Engineers Pakistan (WEP) to raise awareness and to help increase the falling number of women in the scientific fields. [9]

The list doesn’t stop there. Our society has countless hidden gems trying hard to make a difference. Honorable mentions include Yumna Majeed, founder of Exploration – Cosmos to Classroom, an education organization promoting space and astronomy education at school levels.

Tasneem Zehra, theoretical physicist and author of “Only the Longest Threads”. Sarah Qureshi, the aerospace engineer and founder of Aero Engine Craft (Pvt) Ltd. She works on the development of green airplane engines. Zartaj Waseem, CEO and founder of Pakistan Space Science Education Centre (PSSEC) and a STEM educator.

These are just a few names among the long list of people who are contributing to reducing gender inequality and encouraging the new generation to pursue scientific careers. The hard work of our gems inspires us.

References:

Also, Read Talking Data in Healthcare and Opportunities for Women with Dr. Bushra Anjum

Caring in Crisis— Protecting Pregnant Women and Newborn from Climate Change Fallout

Saadeqa Khan

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February 10, 2025

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Caring in Crisis— Protecting Pregnant Women and Newborn from Climate Change Fallout

It was a freezing January morning in 2025. Gull Bibi woke up at 6 a.m. and hurried to the kitchen. The temperature in her city of Quetta was around minus 6 degrees Celsius when she turned on the gas stove. Due to severe gas load-shedding, she needed to prepare breakfast and lunch for her family in just two hours.

Gull Bibi, 26, has two children and is expecting her third child in March. She lives with her husband and in-laws in Nawa Killi, located 9.5 km away from Quetta Cantt. The city has been experiencing a gas shortage and power outages for the past few years, which have worsened during winter. In extremely chilling weather, residents face challenges preparing food and warming their rooms.

After putting the kettle on the stove, she rushed to the washroom to perform Wudu for her morning prayer. The water was freezing, and she nearly shivered. Meanwhile, her mother and father-in-law had also woken up and needed hot tea. While serving them, she prepared a meal for her younger son, Subhan, and began making spices for lunch.

For the past year and a half, she had been following her usual morning routine due to an ongoing gas shortage. However, managing this routine became increasingly difficult due to her seven-month pregnancy and the extremely dry winter.

Many areas of Balochistan experienced their first winter shower in mid-November, with temperatures dropping to minus 14 degrees during snowfall. However, for the past two years, these regions have been facing unusual rainfall patterns, resulting in less precipitation from November to March. The dry winters are causing significant healthcare issues for the population, particularly posing severe risks to pregnant women and newborns.

The changes in weather patterns are not confined to Balochistan; they are also evident in Punjab, Sind, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Many areas in Punjab and interior Sind are currently experiencing dense fog and smog, while temperatures have dropped unusually low in regions that typically maintain stable and pleasant winter weather.

According to a recent ranking of the World Climate Index, Pakistan ranks eighth among the countries most vulnerable to climate change worldwide. The index indicates that severe and adverse weather conditions in these countries are not only causing a downfall in their economies but also severely impacting people’s livelihoods and health.

Pregnant women living in rural areas are particularly at risk. After the historic and devastating floods in Pakistan in August 2022, nearly 600,000 pregnant women in IDP camps required urgent medical services. Furthermore, in 2023, record-breaking heatwaves in Sind and Balochistan accelerated maternal and child mortality rates.

Pakistan has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the world. A global study conducted in 2019, published in the Lancet, found that 33 percent of stillbirths occur in South Asia. In Pakistan, the rate of stillbirths was 30.6 per thousand live births in 2019. While this marked a significant improvement from 39.9 in 2000, it remains well above the regional average of 18.2 and the global average of 13.9.

Pregnant women and threats from the heat

“Temperatures in many rural areas of Sindh, including Badin, can reach up to 52 degrees Celsius or above between June and August. In these areas, pregnant women often have to fetch water from miles away. Additionally, many women work in brick kilns or help their male counterparts in the fields during harvest season,” says Amina Khaskheli.

Khaskheli is a 45-year-old polio vaccination worker who currently leads the vaccination program in Jani Khaskheli, a small town in the Matli district of Badin, Sind. Over 20 years, she has traveled to remote areas to administer polio vaccinations and has observed the hardships that pregnant women face in extreme heat.

She reports that in the past two years, there has been a rise in the number of premature and low-weight infants being born. Furthermore, the rates of miscarriages, as well as maternal and child mortality are also increasing.

Louisa Samuels is a researcher at the Department of Gynaecology at St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London. She was the lead author of a 2022 study that examined the effects of rising temperatures on pregnant women in London. According to her research, there is mounting epidemiological evidence that high ambient temperatures are associated with pregnancy complications and adverse fetal and neonatal complications and outcomes including preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight.

“Extreme heat increases the risk of premature birth and miscarriage, particularly for women living in rural areas of hotter regions around the world. Many of these women lack adequate cooling systems in their homes, which exacerbates the challenges they face during heat waves.”

She explains that core body temperature in adults is maintained through the heat generated within the body and its release, which is directly influenced by the external environmental temperature. The effects of heat are related to the temperature to which our body is accustomed and how much heat it can tolerate.

“Pregnancy induces numerous physiological changes in women in addition to changes in body mass. Cardiovascular changes occur gradually throughout pregnancy so that by the third trimester, plasma volume and cardiac output increase by almost 50 percent,” Louisa further explains.

“When the ambient temperature rises excessively, thermoregulation becomes more difficult. As a result, strategies such as reducing sweat production, increasing blood flow to the skin, and maintaining a cooler external environment are employed to help normalize the body temperature of pregnant women.”

“In recent years, extreme heat waves have resulted in a 15 percent increase in miscarriages and premature births worldwide. For this reason, the World Health Organization has issued a warning about the serious risks that rising temperatures pose to pregnant women,” she briefs.

Research is being conducted worldwide on the effects of extreme heat on pregnant women. In January 2024, Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan, launched a four-year research project, supported by the UK’s Wellcome Trust. This is the first study of its kind in Pakistan focusing on pregnant women.

Assistant Professor J. Das from the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University is leading the project. He informs that in the initial phase, data will be collected from 6,000 pregnant women living in the districts of Tando Muhammad Khan, Mithiari, and Tharparkar in Sindh province.

Following this, data collection will extend to slums and low-income areas of Karachi, including Korangi, Dhobi Ghaat, and Kharadar. In these areas, pregnant women often reside in small apartments and work in kitchens during hot weather without adequate means to cool their living spaces or ensure fresh air circulation.

According to Dr. Das, this research project will involve giving pregnant women special devices to wear, which will collect data on changes and increases in their body temperature. This information will help in understanding the factors that negatively affect the health of both the pregnant woman and her child.

Dr. Ayesha Yousafzai from the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University emphasizes that this four-year project is crucial. In extremely hot regions, it is essential to provide lady health visitors and gynecologists with adequate training and guidelines to protect pregnant women from adverse heat effects. This research project aims to provide vital information for that purpose.

In 2017, the Sri Ramachandra Institute for Higher Education and Research in India conducted a study, the results of which were recently published. An analysis of data from 800 women in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu found that extreme heat waves doubled the risk of stillbirth and premature birth.

A similar study by Harvard University, published in January 2023, analyzed data from 9,500 pregnant women in Massachusetts. This study revealed that extreme heat affects fetal growth, impacting the size of the baby’s head, abdomen, and thigh bone length.

Scientists at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health have found that increased heat exposure during pregnancy was associated with smaller fetal growth measures (ultrasound parameters and birthweight), with associations strongest for head parameters (head circumference) in early to mid-pregnancy, and abdominal circumference later in pregnancy and birth weight.

The researchers revealed that higher temperatures are associated with impaired fetal growth—which has major health implications including a sharp increase in autism cases in newborns around the world.

These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence documenting the overall health impact of rising temperatures, and highlighting the need for urgent and transformational action to combat the climate crisis.

References:

More from the Author: Breaking the Odds in Field Epidemiology in Pakistan

Patents and Birthdays- What does February have in the Treasure?

News

Aqsa Abdul Qadeer

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February 8, 2025

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Patents and Birthdays- What does February have in the Treasure?

January was the month of tech and invention but February is the month that brings the finest things towards accomplishment by getting the first step done. From typical washing machines to Steve Jobs and Charles Darwin’s birthday, so much has happened this month in the past.

Let’s scroll down and see what is new to learn about this month!

February 1, 2003

On this day, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke into pieces as it re-entered Earth 16 minutes before its landing in Florida at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, leading to the death of all seven members of the crew. It included Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, Mission Specialists Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, and Laurel Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon.

Columbia was launched into space on January 16, 2003, for 16 days to conduct 80 experiments to conduct research on microgravity by using a Spacehab module in the shuttle’s payload bay.

During launch, about 82 seconds after liftoff, a piece of foam insulation broke off from the external fuel tank and got stuck at the left wing. It eventually damaged the thermal protection system but went unnoticed during the research work.

Upon reentry, as the Columbia descended, superheated air penetrated inside and led to the structural failure with caused catastrophe.

After this disaster, NASA suspended the Space Shuttle Program for 29 months which ended with the Space Shuttle Discovery on July 26, 2005.

February 3, 1690

Our wallets have notes of Rs. 100 to 1000, but this paper note did rule the world so easily.

Paper notes were first started in China by Tyang Dynasty but it was abandoned after 650 years. Later, during the 15th century, the West started it. Credit goes to British colonies and Britain’s war with France during the Glorious Revolution.

At that time, Massachusetts, in 1689, was an English Colony. Britain used the mint coins there prior but then stopped it. During war with France, they wanted Americans to fight for them in Canada but they rarely sent money for soldiers. So, eventually, the Massachusetts Bay Colony issued certificates that soldiers could redeem to get coins. That certificate was known as the bill of credit. The certificate was considered the first paper money in America.

February 3, 1821

How many of you have made memes and jokes about women being more in the medical field than men?

Well, this did not start so long ago. In the US, Elizabeth Blackwell was the first physician to earn a medical degree. She was born on February 3, 1821 in Bristol. She and her family moved to New York in 1831. There, she completed her education via private tutors. Blackwell decided to study medicine after her friend got sick.

She completed her degree from Geneva Medical College in 1849 and practiced it in London and Paris. Blackwell was a pioneer of preventive medicine and hygiene. She was the first woman to hold the chair of hygiene in a medical college. Aiming to bring more women towards medicine, she established the London School of Medicine for Women and the New York Infirmary for Women and Children.

Blackwell died on May 31, 1910, but she is still around us. Every year, the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal is awarded to women who made significant contributions to medicine.

February 5, 1914

Our brain is a factory of chemicals and we got its glimpse because of Alan Hodgkin, a British physiologist.

Hodgkin was born on February 5, 1914, in Oxfordshire. He was known for demonstrating the role of potassium and sodium ions in generating action potential to transmit nerve impulses. He did this experiment with Andrew Huxley in 1952 on giant squids for his research for which he won Nobel Prize in 1963.

He was the leading physiologist in the 20th century who conducted thorough research on vision, nerves, and muscles. During WWII, he was a member of the team that developed short-wave airborne radar that led to future successes in the Royal Air Force.

In his career, Alan Hodgkin held two eminent positions; he was the president of The Royal Society from 1970 to 1975 and the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1978 to 1984. Alan died in December 1998 after a prolonged illness.

February 8, 1828

“Around the world in eighty days” has fascinated all of us in our teens.

Its author, Jules Verne, the father of science fiction, was born on February 8 in Nantes, France. In inheritance, he got his father’s (Pierre Verne) analytical mind and mom’s (Sophie Allotte de la Fuÿe) imaginative skills which could be seen in his books, especially in “From the Earth to the Moon.”

Verne was the eldest son of five siblings; his family expected him to continue his dad’s legacy in professional life but he opted for a career in literature, leaving an impact for centuries.

His work has been adapted to features and television series, such as “A Trip to the Moon,” and “Tonight, Tonight.” Jules Verne died on March 24, 1905, in Amiens, France yet his work is still remembered and read.

February 9, 1881

Boats and ships were not made in a decade but in a century, and to invent everything, getting a patent was the first step.

On this date, Robert Fulton got the second patent to develop and construct the steamboat, signed by President James Madison. He got the first patent on February 11, 1809, to improve the invention which President Jefferson signed.

The patented steamboat had a round trip of 300 miles from New York to Albany, completed in 62 hours. The mission was successful because of engine efficiency and hull construction that gave his steamboat an edge over past attempts which made it economically and commercially feasible.

Fulton’s steamboat started commercially in the early 19th century, leading him to be considered the father of the steamboat.

February 12, 1809

How many of you have friends or relatives who thought that we are ancestors of monkeys because of a poor understanding of the theory of evolution? Well, my teacher assumed the same. However, the truth is different, making me realize how genius Charles Darwin is.

This genius was born in February in Shrewsbury. He was a known biologist and geologist of his time who was remembered for the controversial concepts he introduced at that time such as natural selection or survival of the fittest. This concept says that successful organisms are those that change themselves with the environment to adapt to it or they fade.

Darwin’s theories led to the foundation of modern evolutionary biology which honed our understanding of how we, humans, have come to this world.

February 13, 1979

How many of your parents or yourself are facing loss of hair? Well, there is a medicine to solve this issue, minoxidil.

It all started on this day when pharmacologist Charles Chidsey, received a patent to cure male baldness. The patent was assigned to Upjohn. The company was for a long time working on medicine for ulcer treatment, minoxidil. They gave the medicine to Chidsey to study as they found it a solution to lower blood pressure.

While studying and experimenting with it, he noticed that it improved hair growth in the samples’ heads. Immediately, he consulted his colleagues, Dr Kahn, and Dr Grant, and found a solution to age long issue.

On December 10, 1971, Dr. Kahn and Dr. Grant informed about it to Upjohn and the company soon issued a patent. They called Chidsey as sole inventor which resulted in trouble which solved by giving royalties to all three observers.

Upjohn launched the product under the name of Rogaine which got FDA approved in 1988. However, the patent expired in 1996, leading other brands to launch the same product too. Yet, the three are still considered inventors of this amazing medicine which you can use too.

February 14, 1845

For many, February 14 is the day of love, but for science lovers who want to see all genders in STEM, it’s the birth date of Lydia Sesemann, the actual first woman to get PhD in chemistry in the world. However, her research work and experiences all vanished to a great degree that people have forgotten her, considering Julia V. Lermontova as the first doctoral woman.

Sesemann was born in Wiborg with an ancestral lineage from Germany. She completed her degree from the University of Zurich. On May 15, 1874, she was awarded a doctoral degree from the Second Section of the Faculty of Philosophy.

Although her thesis got appreciation, which made many expect her to go into a career, the records say something different. Records say that she was in Leipzig until 1882. During that time, she worked at Gustav Wiedemann’s Physical-Chemical Laboratory but there is nothing available about the work she did there.

Records revealed that she was in Lausanne for a while where she was in touch with the Société de l’Union chrétienne. There, she was also a teacher for a year at The Indicateur Vaudois in 1896.

Sesemann left Lausanne in 1907 and moved to Munich with her sister, Helene, and stayed there with her mother until her death on March 28, 1925. Lydia Sesemann was a forgotten scholar who was found recently. May we keep remembering her. She was an advocate of women’s rights and education.

February 17, 1827

We all have one fixed day for washing clothes but do we know who invented it? Well, let’s forget about invention and focus on who got the license first.

Chester Stone was the first person who get a patent for a washing machine on this date in New Haven County, Connecticut. The U.S. Patent Office issued him patent no. 4,669X but unfortunately, the details were destroyed during the Patent Office fire in 1836 at the Blodget’s Hotel.

The washing machine is the biggest invention in our houses; it’s one of the most useful things in our daily lives. Yet, there is little information about him. However, people know about his son, Marvin Chester Stone, the inventor of the drinking straw.

February 24, 1955

Personal computer history is incomplete without Steve Jobs and his birth date is a must-remember for Gen-Zs who dream of entrepreneurship, living a purposeful life, and enjoying every moment.

Steve Jobs was born in California to Abdulfattah Jandali and Joanne Schieble, yet Paul Jobs and Carla Jobs, Joanne’s friends, adopted him and raised him in Mountain View. As per the deal with his biological parents, Paul and Carla sent him to university, Reeds College but he dropped out.

Jobs explored different things in life from Buddhism to games and ended up in technology. During his childhood, he joined Explorer’s Club at Hewlett-Packard (HP) where he met his going-to-be business partner, Steve Wozniak. With Woz and Ronald Wayne, he started Apple in 1976 and launched the infamous Macintosh I, Macintosh II, and LISA.

Jobs played a key role in Pixar by becoming its CEO after getting ousted from his own company in 1985. During that time, he started NeXT too. Later, in 1997, he joined Apple again and launched the iPhone, iPad, and iPod, bringing success to the company. He died on October 5, 2011, leaving the legacy behind.

February 27, 1900

We all live on painkillers. Thanks to Felix Hoffman for taking the first step.

While working at Bayed, Hoffman synthesized a pure form of acetylsalicylic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin, in 1897. Eventually, Bayer requested Germany to give them a patent but they rejected it because the French did it first. So, they applied in the US and got the patent and freedom to manufacture it from 1900 to 1917.

Bayer named their product “aspirin” and started selling it but due to having a generic name, they lost their rights to the trademark. Many countries started producing it from the same name, leading them to face fierce competition. That competition also faded after the launch of paracetamol in 1956 and ibuprofen in 1962.

Yet, the efforts of Bayer and Hoffman went vane, leading to the availability of a variety of painkillers which means they were Jobs in their way.

February 28, 1953

Funnily, many of our relatives have commented on what we have inherited in our DNA, yet that DNA concept and structure was discovered on the last day of February.

Thanks to James Watson and Francis Crick for showcasing Watson and Crick’s model in the form of a research paper, published in “Nature” in 1953.

Utilizing the research work and diffraction images of Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, Watson, and Crick explained how two strands of DNA twist around each other and form a ladder with base pairs (adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine) as the rungs. Via this structure, they explained how genetic information is passed down to generations.

For this work, Watson, Cric,k and Wilkins won the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1962. Unfortunately, Franklin was missed out as she passed away before the event in 1958. This discovery may sound cliche to you but it paved the way for current biotechnology.

From beginning to end, from books to licenses and birthdays of geeks to doctoral degrees, February is like a treasure with so much inside it. What’s the most memorable event or date for you?

Reference:

https://www.space.com/19436-columbia-disaster.html

https://info.mysticstamp.com/wp-content/uploads/02-03-1690-First-Paper-Money.pdf

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11455243/

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1999.0081

https://www.wired.com/2012/02/feb-8-1828-a-literary-master-is-born/

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/charles-darwin-one-britains-most-celebrated-naturalists

https://www.chemistryviews.org/lydia-sesemann-150-years-of-womens-doctorates-in-chemistry/

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/read/february-17-2024-national-random-acts-of-kindness-day-national-red-sock-day-national-cabbage-day

https://www.computerhistory.org/tdih/february/24/

https://patentyogi.com/this-day-in-patent-history/this-day-in-patent-history-on-february-27-1900-felix-hoffman-patented-acetyl-salicylic-acid-aka-aspirin/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z4pd382

Read About January: Science Milestones in January: From Newton to NASA

Remembering Dr Salam: A meritorious journey to becoming the best in science

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Physics

Haniyah Bilal

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January 29, 2025

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Remembering Dr Salam: A meritorious journey to becoming the best in science

Dr Abdus Salam was a Pakistani theoretical physicist, who In 1979, shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with US physicists Steven Weinberg and Sheldon Glashow for their groundbreaking research on the “electroweak unification theory.” Dr Salam is the first and only Pakistani scientist who has won the honorable Nobel prize in Physics.

Dr Salam was born in 1926, in the humble village of Jhang, Punjab, during the British Raj in India. He was a staunch believer in the movement of Pakistan, later identifying himself as a Pakistani. Salam was the youngest son and a favorite sibling. From early on, his grandfather had high hopes and ambitions for Salam in future endeavors. He was born to the Ahmedi family and remained an observant Ahmedi, applying his faith in all aspects of life, especially science.

From early on, Salam’s intelligence was visible; at 14, he earned the highest marks in the Matriculation Examinations ever recorded during his time at the University of Punjab. He was therefore offered a scholarship by Government College Lahore in 1940 when he was 16. Salam’s humble upbringing was such that upon entering Lahore, a larger, more urbanized city, he saw an electric lightbulb for the first time in his life.

Three years later In 1943, he published a scientific paper titled “A Problem of Ramanujan,” in which he solved a mathematical problem attempted by Ramanujan, who was considered a genius and prodigy in the realm of mathematics at that time, making this accomplishment quite a feat.

Soon his interest in Physics became evident, and he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Physics in two years, which was contrary to the standard three years. He then completed his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at Cambridge, receiving a scholarship to attend the university.

Nobel-Prize Winning Ideas

Dr Salam’s intelligence was never bound to his youth in academia but, rather flourished throughout his time as a theoretical physicist with the opportunity to research.

In 1956, Dr Abdus Salam discovered the revolutionary idea of “neutrino parity violation” through his independent research was rejected and even forced to wait for a longer publication. Unfortunately, due to this setback, two Chinese researchers published this idea and received credit.

Yet all was not lost for Dr Abdus Salam, who received the Nobel Prize for Physics shared with Steven Weinberg and Sheldon Glashow in 1979 “for their contribution to the theory of the unified weak and electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles, including…the prediction of the weak neutral current”. Though all of them shared the Nobel Prize, each independently researched this topic. Dr Abdus Salam conducted this research in the 1960s at the Imperial College of Science and Technology.

His Contribution to Physics

Dr Abdus Salam proposed the electroweak theory. In it, he sought to find the relationship between the electromagnetic force and the weak nuclear force. This was unheard of before since the electromagnetic force can extend over long distances, unlike the weak force, which only acts on ranges smaller than an atomic nucleus. Apart from this, the weak force was a reasonable discovery in Physics, confounding physicists worldwide.

This can be shown through the B0 Meson particles, which exist in two forms: B0 and B-0 (anti-B0). The structure of these particles can be altered over time by the weak force since it can switch particles from one form to another. In this scenario, it takes more time to change from B0 to B-0, then it does vice-versa, therefore, violating the time-reversal symmetry or T-Symmetry. T-symmetry states that both reactions should take an equal amount of time. This results in a weak force being dependent on the ‘direction of time’ and is currently the only known force to violate T-Symmetry as such.

All these examples go to show the ‘gravity’ of the situation that the existence of weak force creates (catch my pun?) since it threatens previous notions held in Physics. So, the concept of “weak force,” which defies most symmetry laws, is a genuinely mind-boggling conundrum for particle physicists all over the world, highlighting its importance and in turn, the importance of Dr. Abdus Salam’s discovery.

Dr Abdus Salam’s theory postulated that the relationship between the weak force and the electromagnetic force was connected through 4 “carrier” particles (which are massless), two of which are electrically charged and the rest are neutral. These messenger particles form a link and connect to the electromagnetic force. It is also postulated that an unseen field, known as the Higgs field aids this process.

Dr Abdus Salam’s research on the electroweak theory was later proven in an experiment in 1983 at CERN and is included in the Standard Model of Particle Physics, which is now considered the essential building block of physics. It is necessary for our fundamental understanding of Physics nowadays. Therefore, Dr Abdus Salam’s research was groundbreaking as it revolutionized the way we view physics and the world around us.

Role in the Pakistan Nuclear Program

Salam was so ambient on Pakistan’s desire for nuclear weapons to further strengthen its defense. He assured his support to the Pakistani Government for its nuclear program by 1974, right after his mind twisted, and he became a strong advocate of science for peaceful purposes.

In the same year, India successfully tested its first atomic bomb, the protests against Ahmadi (religious group) outnumbered, and due to its extremity, Pakitan’s Government constitutionally declared Ahmadi as non-muslim. Dr Salam had left with no choice but to resign from the post of science advisor to the Prime minister of Pakistan. Soon after, he left his homeland and settled abroad.

Dr Salam’s Legacy

However, Dr Abdus Salam’s legacy does not end with his death but keeps on with further research on his ideas. He was a charismatic, humble, and nice man with ethical values, but at the same time, he was different and challenging and inspired millions around the globe. Yet Dr Salam was never widely accepted in his country Pakistan due to religious differences, not a single university or monument in Pakistan carries his name.

Once in an interview, Dr Salam said that ” the present generation seems to inherit a house with very high walls and no windows; still they believe that it is a house, not a prison. They can never progress until and unless they try to rebuild this home on a strong and reliable basis.”

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Science Milestones in January: From Newton to NASA

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Aqsa Abdul Qadeer

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January 23, 2025

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Science Milestones in January: From Newton to NASA

The first month of the year seems to be the month of innovation in tech and space. Thats’s why it is the birth month of Stephen Hawking and our unsung hero, Abdus Salam. It is the month that Apple and Microsoft – two geeks in Computer world, can never forget.

Lets scroll down and see what has happened in this month in past.

January 1, 1925

On this day, Edwin Hubble, an American astronomer, discovered galaxies outside the Milky Way. Till mid-1920s, scientists thought that all objects outside Milky Way were either nebulae or clouds because of their belief that universe is limited to Milky Way only. Hubble’s findings surpassed the estimated size of the universe. Later, in 1929, he discovered that the universe continuously expands with the passage of time, shackling previous notions.

Edwin Hubble at the controls of the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson, circa 1922. (Credit: Huntington Library) January science milestones — Edwin Hubble at the controls of the 100-inch telescope, circa 1922. (Credit: Huntington Library)

January 2, 1975

Bill Gates and Paul Allen named their company “Microsoft” for the first time.
They wrote letter to New Mexico-based company, MITS, in which they offered BASIC version to them for their “Altair 8800” computer. In that letter, Allen and Gates referred themselves as Microsoft which they spelled as “Micro–Soft.”

Bill Gates and Paul Allen start the firm that grows into Microsoft in the fall of 1975. - HistoryLink.org — Bill Gates and Paul Allen posing together. (Credit: Microsoft)

January 4, 1643

Do you still remember that third law of Physics which says that in every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction?

Its maker, Isaac Newton, a known mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, was born on this day. Besides making three legendary laws of Physics that lay the foundation of Newtonian Physics, he invented tthe elescope and infinitesimal calculus. His book “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica” (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy) helped understand core concepts of sciences such as gravity and the law of motion.

January 5, 2005

Three American astronomers, Michael E. Brown, David L. Rabinowitz, and Chad Trujillo discovered Eris, the largest dwarf planet in our solar system with the help of images, captured at the Palomar Observatory on October 21, 2003.

New Planet — The largest dwarf planet in our solar system. (Credit: NASA/ JP-Caltech)

January 6, 1838

Samuel Morse, the inventor of Morse code, conducted a successful public test of his electrical telegraph at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey. There he and Alfred Vail, his partner, transmitted a message, “A patient waiter is no loser” via two-mile long wire using Morse code technology. The duo sent the message successfully, making it a key moment in the history of communication industry as it marked a beginning of the era where we could use technology to send messages over long distance.

Samuel Morse and the Invention of the Telegraph — A clipping showing the instrument. (Credit: Library of Congress)

January 7, 1954

Nowadays, we are used to of Chatgpt translated words but long before the 1950s, machine translation was a new thing. Georgetown University and IBM jointly conducted an experiment, Georgetown-IBM experiment, in which they publicly translated for the first time more than 60 Russian sentences into English. For this experiment, the team of four people, two from each organization, used IBM 701 mainframe computer. In this system, the vocabulary was punched on punch cards, consisting of words from mathematics, metallurgy, chemistry, military affairs, politics, law, and communications. However, the dictionary of the system was not fully developed.

The motive of that experiment was to gain attention and funding of and from the government and public. Soviet Union made their prototype after that experiment but US government’s progress towards computational translation was slower than their competitor.

The first public demonstration of machine translation: the Georgetown-IBM system, 7th Januray 1954 — The first public demonstration of machine translation. (Credit: WJ Hutchins)

January 8, 1942

On this date. Stephen Hawking, an eminent physicist, was born. He had numerous awards and titles in his hand. Despite being physically handicapped due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he conducted pivotal research on Black Holes, leading him to discover the Hawking radiation they emit in the form of light. During his research, he derived Hawking’s area theorem that explains the properties of black holes.

Hawking worked with Roger Penrose, another physicist, to explain how Big Bang created singularity. With the help of his daughter, Lucy Hawking, he published a book “A brief history of time” which became one of the bestsellers. Hawking died in 2018 in Cambridge.

Stephen Hawking - Wikipedia — Stephen Hawking. (Credit: Wikipedia)

January 9, 2007

How many of you connect elitism with iPhone?

Well, on this date, Steve Jobs unveiled iPhone in San Fransisco at a convention. During the speech, he explain how it had multimedia, computing and communication tools. This day marks the beginning a new era in mobile phones industry that influenced our culture, social dynamics and technology. It changed the way people interact, work and live by fostering global tech-based society that promote communication.

Steve Jobs Unveils Apple iPhone At MacWorld Expo. Credit: Getty Images

January 12, 1967

Dr. James Bedford became the first person to be cryonically preserved with the hope of future revival. After the death of kidney cancer, Mike Darwin, a scientist, claimed his body and frozen it. Later, Robert Prehoda, Dante Brunol and Robert Nelson preserved his body. They injected 15 percent dimethyl sulfoxide and 85 percent ringer’s solution.

According to Nelson, it was a primitive method to preserve a body as compared to today’s methods. For first two years, the team kept his body at Edward Hope’s Cryo-Care facility in Phoenix. Afterward, it was moved to the Galiso facility in California and then transferred to Trans Time near Berkeley.

From 1977 to 1982, Bedford’s family preserved it in liquid nitrogen after which they moved his preserved body to the Alcor Life Extension Foundation where it is still under care. There, his body is kept at a low subzero temperature.

January 12 is considered as Bedford Day in the world of cryopreservation field because this event led to better understanding of preserving the dead body.

James Hiram Bedford: The First Person To Be Cryogenically Preserved | Amusing Planet — James Hiram Bedford. (Credits: Alcor Life Extension Foundation)

January 17, 1949

Seeing women in STEM fields feels like a proud moment. Women have made huge progress in the tech world with their dedication and work ethic. Kudos to Anita Borg for empowering women with her work.

Borg, an American computer scientist, developed the Institute for Women and Technology in 1997 to persuade female towards tech and computers. In 1994, she stated a tech conference, Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. The conference still takes place in America, mainly focusing on women’s role in tech world.

Borg died in 2003 of cancer. Through her work, she proved that an educated women pave the journey for all generations of her community.

In memoriam Anita Borg (1949-2003) | HNF Blog — Borg, an American computer scientist, developed the Institute for Women and Technology in 1997. (Credits: Winfried Wilcke)

January 21, 1888

Babbage’s Analytical Engine passed the first test. Henry Provost Babbage, the son of Charles Babbage, used his dad’s drawings and writings to complete the mill part of the Analytical Engine. After completing the mill, according to Henry, the machine produced “a table from 1st. to 44th. multiples of π to twenty-nine places of figures…”

It was a big success which made noise at larger pace in 1910 when the results were published in the monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Babbage’s Analytical Engine passed the first test in January. (Credit: Science Museum London)

January 21, 1954

The United States launched the first atomic nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) in Groton, Connecticut, christened by First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. Under the captainship of Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson, the Nautilus became the first ship to travel to the North Pole. It was the first submarine to travel “20,000 leagues under the sea.” It had air and water purification plants, so the crew could go for months without refueling or surfacing. Besides, it could navigate at extreme latitudes without needing to resurface. Being nuclear-powered, the Nautilus could travel faster and farther than other submarines of its time.

The Launch of the USS Nautilus – Today in History: January 21 - Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project — (Credit: Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library)

January 22, 1970

The 747, Boeing’s first Jumbo Jet, completed its inaugural transatlantic passenger flight. With a trailblazing launch, the 747 could carry more than twice as many passengers as Boeing’s next largest plane. It was more fuel-efficient, leading to a reduction in the cost per seat. Setting the glamour standards higher, the first class cabins had crystal vases with real vases and linen napkins and tablecloths in the jet. Surpassing predictions that supersonic flight would outsmart it, the 747 remained everyone’s favorite for over 50 years. The 747 has been with its new owner since February 2023 after 53 years of service.

The 747 Takes Off – The Dawn of the Jumbo Jet Age — With a trailblazing launch, the 747 could carry more than twice as many passengers as Boeing’s next largest plane. (Credit: The George M. Foster Timetable Collection)

January 27, 1926

John Logie Baird, Scottish engineer and inventor, demonstrated the first television system in Soho, London. Utilizing the work of German scientist, Paul Nipkow, who issued the patent for the entire television system in 1884. In the passing years, the idea was refined and Baird becoming the last person to work on it, successfully completing the production of clear images. The invention was considered a significant development in the communication industry.

John Logie Baird | First TV Demonstration | Blue Plaques | English Heritage — John Logie Baird, Scottish engineer and inventor, demonstrated the first television system in Soho, London. (Credit: Bettmann/ Getty Images)

January 29, 1926

Unsung hero, raised in Jhang and flew to Cambridge, Abdus Salam, an eminent physicist and first and only Nobel Prize winner of Pakistan, was born on this date in Punjab. Unaware of computers and light, Salam held distinction in matriculation and went to Cambridge on Scholarship where he completed his Bachelor in physics and math at St. John’s College, Cambridge. With PhD thesis on the developments in quantum theory of fields, Salam gained recognition before its publication in 1951.

Salam is known for winning the Nobel Prize in 1979 due to his work on the Grand Unification Theory which focused on unifying the electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces into one force at high energies. Salam shared the award with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg. Being vocal about promoting STEM education, Salam founded the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy in 1964. He played key role in the establishment of COMSAT in Islamabad in 1994.

Salam returned to Pakistan after his doctoral degree and worked as a mathematics professor at Government College University in Lahore, Pakistan from 1951–1954. He was also head of mathematics department in University of Lahore from 1952 to 1954. Later, he went back to Cambridge to pursue his research work. During that time, he worked as lecturer in mathematics at Cambridge University from 1954–1956. Salam played key role in the nuclear projects of Pakistan. Due to religious conflicts, Salam was forced to move out of Pakistan. He stayed in Oxford for the rest of his life after 1974 and died there in 1996.

Abdus Salam - Wikipedia — Salam is known for winning the Nobel Prize in 1979 due to his work on the Grand Unification Theory. (Credits: Wikimedia Commons)

January 30, 1952

Alan Turing, mathematician and computer scientist, identified two new Mersenne primes via U.S. National Bureau of Standards Western Automatic Computer (SWAC) at the Institute for Numerical Analysis, University of California. D. H. Lehmer led the program, having Prof. R. M. Robinson as a programmer. At 10 PM, the team found the first Mersenne prime, M521.

In less than two hours, they found another primes, M607, using the same system. After a few months, they found three more primes, M1279, M2203, and M2281. With the help of SWAC, they also discovered M4,423 – the first prime number with more than 1000 digits. They also discovered primes with more than 10,000 and million digits too, M44,497 and M6,972,593. SWAC was constructed by The National Bureau of Standards in 1950. The funder ran the system in different forms till 1967.

There are many other events happened in January but these incidents could be considered the root of what we achieved till today. From birth month to the beginning of new eras in tech and communication, January is the month of science innovations that no one should forget.

References

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SCIENTIA

SCIENTIA

Scientia Magazine

Scientia

Language Use in Storytelling Across Age Groups

Young Children (3-7 years old)

Mid Childhood (8-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-18 years old)

Use of Illustrations in Climate Change Storytelling

Adults (19 and above age)

Stories for Climate Change Education by Age Group

Young Children (3-7 years old)

The Tantrum That Saved the World by Megan Herbert & Michael E. Mann

The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth

Older Children (9–12 years old)

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Earth Heroes by Lily Dyu

Teenagers (13–18 years old)

Dry by Neal Shusterman & Jarrod Shusterman

Orleans by Sherri L. Smith

We Are the Weather Makers by Tim Flannery

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The Overstory by Richard Powers

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

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How do we encourage YOUNG GIRLS into STEM fields? Opinions by the Famous PAKISTANI Women in STEM

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February 1, 2003

February 3, 1690

February 3, 1821

February 5, 1914

February 8, 1828

February 9, 1881

February 12, 1809

February 13, 1979

February 14, 1845

February 17, 1827

February 24, 1955

February 27, 1900

February 28, 1953

Reference:

Nobel-Prize Winning Ideas

His Contribution to Physics

Role in the Pakistan Nuclear Program

Dr Salam’s Legacy

January 1, 1925

January 2, 1975

January 4, 1643

January 5, 2005

January 6, 1838

January 7, 1954

January 8, 1942

January 9, 2007

January 12, 1967

January 17, 1949

January 21, 1888

January 21, 1954

January 22, 1970

January 27, 1926

January 29, 1926

January 30, 1952

References