Support the curious kids in all of us

The last appeal of our autumn drive No images? [Click here]( [Your donation matched 2x to help us reach 2022 goal]( Dear Reader, If you have any children in your life, you know that sometimes their questions fly at you fast and furious. Why do burps make noise? (You can probably imagine the scene at my house when that topic came up.) Can dogs really only see in black and white? What would it feel like to touch a cloud? Why is Uncle Sam a symbol for the United States? A lot of times I don’t know the answer to whatever it is my own kids are wondering about at the moment … but thanks to The Conversation, I do know what to say: Let’s ask Curious Kids! [The Curious Kids section on our site]( gathers up youngsters’ burning questions and matches them with experts who can provide research-based answers. Editing these articles is one of the most fun parts of my job and also one of the most gratifying. Rewarding the curiosity of the next generation while giving them facts they can trust and a deeper understanding of how the world works – what could be more important? I’m one of the founding team members of The Conversation U.S. I’ve seen us grow from six editors working in a basement in Boston eight years ago to a team of 33 people spread out across the country. We’re still a nonprofit. And we still have the same model and mission. Editors like me – seasoned journalists – partner with scientists, researchers and other experts who’ve made it their life’s work to study a certain issue or subject to bring you articles that (we hope) tell you something new, provide a unique perspective, or give you context and analysis related to the day’s headlines. With luck, all of our articles use facts to help satisfy the curiosity of our readers – no matter their age. I love that I’m able to scramble down any rabbithole that fascinates me when I’m commissioning stories. I never need to worry about how many clicks an article might get or whether an advertiser will be annoyed. I can only do my best work because of the support of our donors. It tells me – and the entire team – that you believe in our mission. It tells us that you’re our partner as we engage the next generation and help them recognize what’s real and what’s fictional in all that they consume on YouTube, TikTok or other social media. [Give monthly]( [Give once]( Today is the last day of our autumn fundraising campaign, and [if you support us today, we’ll send you a downloadable e-book with some of our most interesting stories of the year so far](. One answers the question sent in by a young reader named Guillermo: What happens if someone dies in space? Also today: If you make a major gift of $1,000 or more, we’ll send you the latest two books in our Critical Conversations series, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, as a thank you. With gratitude for helping us satisfy the curiosity of children (and adults), Maggie Villiger Senior Science + Technology Editor, The Conversation How to donate: By credit card: [( By check: Mail to The Conversation U.S., 303 Wyman St., Suite 300, Waltham, MA 02451. With stock: Please write to priyanka@theconversation.com if you are considering a gift of stock or a gift from your IRA. The Conversation US, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. All donations made are fully tax deductible, if you itemize. Our tax ID number is 46-0906774. [Donate to The Conversation]( [Share]( [Share]( [Forward]( You’re receiving this email as a previous donor or newsletter subscriber to The Conversation U.S. Clicking the Unsubscribe link will cancel your newsletter subscription. If you would like to not receive these emails, please [respond to this email](mailto:us-donations@theconversation.com) and ask us to take you off the list. You would, however, also miss our invites to donor events, impact reports and other exciting updates. The Conversation U.S. 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 USA [Unsubscribe](