Features

In 2022, Pringles discovered what every corporation dreams of: a billboard that reproduces on its own. It was green, roughly the size of a fingernail, and had eight legs. The kidney garden spider is a small orb-weaver found across parts of Asia. At first glance, there is nothing particularly snack-food-related about it. But on its abdomen, against a pale patch, sit two dark dots, a curved black marking, and what looks remarkably like a tiny mustache. Put it next to the Pringl

“BANANA!” is probably one of the only identifiable words in the Minions’ vocabulary. In the Despicable Me universe, bananas seem almost magical: they can distract, excite, and motivate minions instantly, turning chaos into comedy. On screen, the fruit is bright, silly, and harmless, the perfect symbol for the Minions’ goofy charm. But outside that animated world, the story of bananas is far less cheerful. Their real history is not filled with laughs, goggles, and slapstick. I

On the list of VERY long factors of climate change, there are a lot of things that are resolvable with sheer passion, hard work, and also collaboration; one of the factors isn't simply taken care of. PFAS, a.k.a. "Forever Chemicals," have emerged and have recently been identified as a serious environmental and medical issue globally. But what really are they? Forever Chemicals (or PFAS for short) are polyfluoroalkyl substances. To put it simply, they are a series of chemical

This year, billions of Christians celebrated the day of Easter, a time to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians have been celebrating the Easter season–referred to as Pascha in relation to Passover—since around 150 to 160 AD. However, before Easter comes the season of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days in which many Christians practice abstinence from meat, oils, and any other worldly pleasures, to focus on their relationship with Christ. During th

You may have heard of Pride Month in June and Black History Month in February, which spotlight queer and Black people, but have you heard of International Women’s Month? Running throughout March, International Women’s Month is a global celebration of women’s achievements. Its goal is to honor women for their historical, economic, cultural, and political contributions, which often go underrecognized. This celebration culminates on March 8th, International Women’s Day, during

As we know from last edition’s “The Arts in New York: The Empire State of Mind”, there is nothing quite like a Broadway play. Going into “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” I thought it couldn’t get any better. I’m glad to say I couldn’t have been more wrong. Walking into the Lyric Theater was unlike anything I have ever experienced, it truly felt as though I had walked into the wizarding world. The dim lighting, stage set up, and house colored drapes, created an ambient atmo

What if your right to vote, pursue an education, or build a career could be quietly reframed as optional, or even wrong, beneath a soft filtered video of sourdough bread and smiling domesticity? ​ It sounds dystopian, but in recent years, online communities promoting the “trad wife” (which references the term “traditional wife”) aesthetic have increasingly overlapped with a broader surge in ultra-conservative media, from viral TikTok creators to long-form podcasts with millio

Photographed by Film/Media Internship Students

Valentine’s Day—the beloved holiday filled with red hearts, Cupids, teddy bears, and the iconic conversation candy hearts. A day of romance to honor and show your love for your partner by gifting them a hand-written card, a bouquet of roses, and chocolates in a heart-shaped box. Nowadays, it has expanded to commemorating platonic relationships like family, friendships, and even pets. What’s not to love about Valentine’s Day? It’s just the holiday of love, right? In this mode

Last weekend, the Atlanta International School Model United Nations team hosted its sixth annual conference, AISMUN VI, welcoming 270 students in addition to directors, faculty, and guests from ten different schools including one from New York for two days of debate, collaboration, and global problem-solving. The conference, run by our high-school students, featured committees for both middle and high school delegates, providing students at all levels with the opportunity to

Photographed by Domenico Alberga and Emma Lightcap

From November 17 to 21, 18 AIS students explored the lively and historic city of New Orleans, Louisiana. As they learned about the South’s history, they also discovered new and exciting pathways to their futures. New Orleans, Louisiana is known for its mix of French, Creole, and African culture, making it one of the most culturally distinct cities in the United States. The group’s tours emphasized how this blend has influenced the region’s language, cuisine, religious practi

Photography by Utshaho Gupta At the time of the ELEx selection, there was one trip that caught the attention of everyone. STEM in Iceland. This trip was not only the most expensive trip out of the list, but also the one of the farthest, and the most unique. On this trip, one would go around the country with a bus; visit countless breathtaking views; and learn about the unique geographical circumstances, such as the fact that Iceland sits on the edge of two tectonic plates or

It may surprise you that one of the AIS science teachers describes himself as having such a “terrible time in AP physics” in high school that he “wrote off science courses” and felt “lost”. This teacher is Mr. Pike. He has taught biology since 2017 and joined the AIS faculty as a high school biology teacher in 2021. Before this, he taught high school chemistry and other university classes at different schools. His struggles with science as a high school student led him to se