By Saanvi Gaddam Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 7/14/2026 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the body of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Established in 1945, it consists of 15 members. Five of those are permanent members with veto power (China, the United States, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom), and the other ten members are elected for 2-year terms, without veto authority. The veto power allows any Pe

By Briana Ahmad Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 7/14/2026 Flames licking incinerated industrial buildings and smoke billowing in clouds across New York, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was one the most horrific industrial disasters in the United States. Firefighters arrived at the scene, but were disadvantaged by the incredulous height of the building. Young girls were subject to jumping 135 feet down, which yielded no results, leading to the death of 146, mostly i

By Saanvi Gaddam Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 7/14/2026 Governments should increase the outsourcing of their services to local non-profit organizations. This would strengthen democratic governance by shifting decision-making power to communities. Government outsourcing is a practice where governments contract private or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), like non-profits, to provide services on their behalf. The Drawbacks of Direct Government Provision When a

By Sarmista Kolluru Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 7/14/2026 In February of 2026, an internet sensation known as Punch the Monkey was born after his heart-touching story went viral on social media. The story of the abandoned baby Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan gained massive traction when videos of him carrying a stuffed orange orangutan for comfort surfaced online. Abandoned at Birth Punch, whose full name is Punch-kun, was born on July 26, 2025. The z

By Briana Ahmad Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 7/14/2026 Spring has sprung in an escape from winter’s icy clutches. However, instead of breezy skies and sunny weather, people have been met with sneezes, coughs, itchy noses, and cars enveloped in a blanket of yellow dust. What is to be blamed for these seasonal annoyances? The archnemesis of this dilemma is none other than pollen. The mixture of warmer weather conditions and winds create the perfect atmosphere for the

By Briana Ahmad Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 7/14/2026 Oddly enough, we’ve all had our moments when an awkward or tense situation prompted us to laugh— an unrequited response to a rather serious topic. Are these fits of laughter just nervous reactions or is there a psychological force at work? The Science of Nervous Laughter In general, laughter discharges endorphins throughout our body to relieve stress and relax. Nervous laughter has the same function, allowing in

Around the country, a lack of resources can limit the quality of education provided to students -- especially civic education. If the people are unaware of their rights and the functions of a democracy, are we truly a democracy?

Overview of the T4 Euthanasia Program: systemic initiative designed to eliminate those who plagued the perfect image of the master Aryan race, specifically disabled individuals.

Climate change is causing rapid habitat loss for polar bears. This discussion unveils the true impact that AI has on their population.

Briana Ahmad Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 12/18/2025 A woman and child cross a flooded street in Navotas, Philippines, due to Typhoon Fung-wong and high tide. Photo by Aaron Favila/AP, Al Jazeera , Nov. 11, 2025. Ferocious winds viciously tore through the homes of millions, sparing nothing in its path of destruction. Heavy rainfall hammered against cities, lashing the ground beneath it. This was the scene observed in November of 2025, when the Philippines and other

Saanvi Gaddam Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 12/17/2025 America is running out of doctors, but what if the solution is already at our fingertips? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a device often vilified, yet used by millions every minute. AI already untangles so many everyday problems: the math question that you can’t seem to crack, the essay we've all been procrastinating on, the banana bread recipe that you suddenly crave. But what if it can solve something much bigg

Sarmista Kolluru Edited by Isabella Phillips Published 12/17/2025 Image source: Education Next, “The Middle of the Beginning of Ending the Department of Education.” If you’ve been keeping up with political debates lately, you’ve probably seen renewed ideologies from many Republicans, including President Donald Trump, to abolish the Department of Education . While the Department has not been shut down, proposals to do so have been circulating. The U.S. Department of Education

By Briana Ahmad Edited by Isabella Phillips What Defines Illuminate Edu Illuminate Edu, founded in 2024, is a youth-led 501(c)3 organization aimed to create an interactive and engaging educational experience for all students. In addition to pursuing our mission focused on strengthening critical thinking skills, we also foster a love of learning. Children are challenged to participate in hands-on workshops on areas such as, STEM, reading, math, and more. At its core, accessi