Probing Questions
We're inviting you—whether you're young, old, or in between—to submit your questions about any topic under the sun. We'll contact the relevant Penn State experts and track down the answers. How to submit your question.
Recent Questions
Are boys really better than girls at math?
Psychology professor Lynn Liben points out one relevant area in which there seems to be a gender difference.
What is seed banking?
"Global seed banking conserves genetic diversity in plants—or animals for that matter—in conservation facilities outside the areas where they evolved," says Surinder Chopra, associate professor of maize genetics.
What can we learn from Neanderthal DNA?
"It can tell us a story about human history," says Webb Miller, professor of biology and computer science.
Is time-out a good method of discipline for children?
It can give children a chance to calm down so they can talk about their behavior, says Linda Duerr, director of Penn State's Child Development Laboratory.
How fast are the polar ice sheets melting?
The massive ice sheets that blanket Greenland and Antarctica are shrinking, says Sridhar Anandakrishnan. But understanding how fast will require a better grasp of glacier dynamics.
What's the difference between frogs and toads?
"All toads are frogs," says Bill Hamilton, assistant professor of biology at Penn State’s New Kensington campus. "But not all frogs are toads."
How and why was Stonehenge built?
While the absence of records makes it nearly impossible to be certain about Stonehenge's purpose, the site itself leaves us with a portrait of "Beaker Folk" society, says Benjamin Hudson, professor of History and Medieval Studies.
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