In high school, Adam Wade falls for his lab partner, but is led astray by dreams of golf team greatness.
Read MoreHeather Swain: The last hours of a rabid woman
When Heather Swain is told she has rabies, that turns out to be the least strange part of her experience.
Read MoreSteve Mirsky: Why would you have a masters in chemistry?
Questions arise when Steve Mirsky is introduced to his friend's new girlfriend, and he relies on his past experience to help -- specifically his degree in chemistry.
Read MoreAri Daniel Shapiro: Narwhal tagging in the arctic
As a grad student, Ari Daniel Shapiro has to tag some narwhals to collect data. The problem: it's in the arctic, the devices have never been tested, and if he fails he'll never be able to do research again.
Read MoreBrooke Borel: My dog's heart
A science writer is challenged when her dog comes down with a case of heartworm -- and then the medication goes wrong.
Read MoreRory Scholl: What I want is to smile again
Rory Scholl has to show up on day one to a new job -- with a severe case of Bell's Palsy.
Read MoreChristine Gentry: Four lessons from my dad
Christine Gentry's rural, Vietnam vet father rarely talked about important issues, but a series of remarkable moments with animals and nature teach her four lessons she'll never forget.
Read MoreDiane Kelly: Confronting death on the road
After turning to a unique field of study -- erections -- Diane Kelly turns to an even more unique source for her research material -- roadkill.
Read MoreCaroline Howe: A life in trash
A trip to India to work for an environmental program leads Caroline Howe to a new passion: trash.
Read MoreGreg Walloch: A walk in the park
A late-night excursion to a party turns absurd and then terrifying as Greg Walloch, who has cerebral palsy, can't jump the fence around Tompkins Square Park.
Read MoreSara Peters: Waiting for a seizure
With her epilepsy medication failing, Sara Peters checks into a hospital with one goal: make the scariest thing in her life happen again.
Read MoreTim Manley: A superhero goes to the hospital
As a six-year old, Tim Manley has to go to the hospital with a mysterious illness. Fortunately, he has his superpowers and his trusty sidekick -- his mom.
Read MoreMargot Leitman: The last thing I heard
Margot Leitman faces down doctors, friends and uncertainty when she suddenly loses hearing in one ear.
Read MoreGeorge Lombardi: Don't go in the water
In the Indian Ocean, doctor George Lombardi makes use of the most important lesson his mother ever taught him: floating.
Read MoreMadeline Huberth: The turtle and the fish
Madeline Huberth confronts the imminent death of a classroom goldfish while navigating the dangerous social waters of junior high.
Read MoreChristopher Roussi: Sufficiently advanced magic
After becoming ill during a trip to Ecuador, DARPA researcher Chris Roussi seeks medical advice from a local expert: a shaman.
Read MoreHelly Schtevie: I made my friends do jumping jacks
A middle school science fair points the way for Helly Schtevie -- directly away from science.
Read MoreWill Garré: Teaching physics, English style
Aspiring English teacher Will Garré is given a chance to teach his own class -- a physics class, and he realizes he isn't going to be able to MacGuyver his way out of this one.
Read MoreJohn Flynn: How to escape your blood type
As a high-schooler, comedian John Flynn finds a way to step out of his siblings' shadows, on the day his science class is determining their blood types.
Read MoreEli Kintisch: Separating chemistry
Having fallen in love with the ability of chemists' to learn about elements by separating them down to their essence, Eli Kintisch has just two obstacles to becoming a scientist: a machine, and another intern.
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