The Story Collider

Though Adam Becker loved science as a kid, he struggled in school -- until he met first-grade teacher Mrs. Brown.

When biologist Mary Ann Allen gets a chance to study Down syndrome, the disorder her dear childhood friend had, she jumps at the chance, but the results aren't what she expected.

When geneticist and science communicator Emily Grossman is invited to discuss women in science on TV, she doesn't know she'll be debating a legendary Internet bully.

When Amanda Buch's beloved father is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it sparks a passion in her for neuroscience.

Chemist Matt Hartings is excited -- and a little frantic -- when he receives an unexpected invitation to talk about the science of bacon on The Today Show.

Italian neuroscientist Chiara Mariottini struggles to fit in when she moves to New York City.

Standup comedian Wes Hazard's dangerous chronic illness rears its head while he's on stage one night.

Amy Oestreicher is a normal teenage theater nerd... until the day her stomach explodes.

Biologist Jana Watson-Capps struggles with feeling in over her head in her scientific career.

Anthropologist Herman Pontzer spends time living among a Hadza hunter-gatherer tribe in order to see if they burn more calories than a typical Westerner.

Layne Jackson-Hubbard wakes up in a hospital room with a head wound and no memory of how she got there.

When Aparna Nancherla's science fair project goes awry, she and her fellow students make some unethical choices.

Patrick Freeman is studying elephants in Namibia when he receives terrible news.

To discover why some survivors of trauma experience PTSD and some don't, scientist Rachel Yehuda must convince a community of Holocaust survivors to let her study them.

As a young science reporter at NPR, Science Friday's Ira Flatow accepts a challenge to record what it sounds like to go over Niagara Falls.

While completing a community service requirement in high school, comedian Wyatt Cenac puts a drunk driving simulation to the test.

Neuroscientist Paula Croxson is determined to finish her first open-water swimming race -- despite the dangers.

After his grandfather passes away, Ben Lillie learns the surprising truth about his life -- from Wikipedia.

In grade school, Elana Lancaster gets into trouble when he questions his student teacher's science. 

Skylar Bayer's dreams of a career in scientific scuba diving are put in jeopardy when her heart begins acting strangely.

Aaron Wolfe seeks meaning through labor at a kibbutz dairy farm -- and finds himself tackling some rather unexpected tasks.

When comedian Jo Firestone goes to college, she starts to worry she has an STD -- even though she's never had sex.

While she's 26 weeks pregnant, OB-GYN MaryAnn Wilbur treats a woman who is also 26 weeks pregnant -- and about to go into labor.

As a student, Henry Duffy jumps at a chance to do research...on the second most remote island in the world.

Nathan Boll was an excellent physics student -- up until the day he suddenly dropped out.

Newborn and premature baby specialist Nitin Ron learns a surprising lesson from one of his young patients.

In high school, Emily Mullin dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist -- until her voice mysteriously begins to disappear.

Jeff Sparr finds an unexpected purpose after his life is torn apart... by a case of jock itch.

Neuroscientist Amanda Duffy gets some surprising news about her brain when she volunteers to be a control in an MRI study.

In high school, David Russell joins a hospital apprentice program in order to get close to his crush.

Steve Crabtree gets an unusual start to his career: watching paint dry.

Brion Randolph's journey to becoming a doctor begins with a box full of kittens.