College presidents are the figureheads of college institutions. They participate in fundraising, oversee administrative procedures and make changes for the greater good of the students, faculty and staff. These men and women have dedicated their lives to educating our next generation of leaders and improving higher education. Here are the 10 best college presidents of all time:

1. E. Gordon Gee: E. Gordon Gee ,The Ohio State University President, has graced the number one spot on Time's best college presidents list in 2009. Under Gee's guidance, The Ohio State University has become one of the largest research campuses in the world, with an operating budget greater than the state of Delaware. The success of the University is a reflection o the tireless efforts of this extremely interesting personality. Gee is an Eagle Scout from Utah, received his JD from Columbia, clerked for United States Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Berger, and once faked his own death! A colorful character indeed, Gee has helped establish The Ohio State University's reputation as a preeminent university, and seeing as though he is the highest paid university president in the United States, it's likely that he'll continue to do so well into the future.
2. Richard C. Levin: Richard C. Levin has served as the President of Yale University since 1993 and holds the title as the longest-serving Ivy League president of all time. Under Levin's guidance, Yale has seen a revitalization in both the overall number of applicants to the university and the level of qualification of applicants. In fact, Yale's most recent admissions cycle featured the highest standardized testing scores of all time. Yale's prestige, infrastructure and endowment have all grown extensively under Levin's control and all of his Provosts have gone on to head other universities. Mr. Levin's work at Yale is one of the reasons why this university is one of the most celebrated academic institutions in the world.
3. Ruth Simmons: Ruth Simmons is currently the president of Brown University and is the first African-American president of any Ivy League university in history. She was named best president by Time in 2001 and is the first female to serve as the president of Brown University. These accomplishments are incredible achievements for any person, let alone one of 12 children from the small Texas town of Grapeland. Ruth's achievements as president of Brown are just as remarkable, having secured the largest single donation in Brown University history and dramatically expanding Brown's medical school. Brown University is lucky to have such an accomplished and dedicated individual leading the university into the future.
4. John Sexton: John Sexton began is the president of New York University. He began his long career with NYU as the dean of the school of law, and in this position he authored many publications, from books to scholarly articles, regarding the Supreme Court. Under his guidance, the school of law rose to prominence in the U.S. News Rankings, a prestigious symbol of competitive faculty and student body. When he was named president, his ability to bring NYU into the same category as Ivy League universities solidified his reputation as one of the best university presidents in the nation.
5. William G. Durden: William G. Durden is the president of Dickinson College, one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the world. He received his bachelor's degree at Dickinson and went on to become a Fulbright scholar before returning to the university with both a master's and a PhD form John's Hopkins University. Since his tenure as president has begun, he has championed many educational initiatives designed to make liberal arts education more practical. He has also advocated for alternative measures of collegiate prowess besides the U.S. News rankings, which he has passionately argued should be checked by an alternative measure of status that allows education in the arts to weigh more heavily in determining the best schools.
6. Juliet Garcia: Juliet Garcia is the president of the University of Texas at Brownsville and is the first female Hispanic university president in the nation's history. The University of Texas at Brownsville sits only a few blocks from the U.S./Mexico border and has an enrollment of predominately Hispanic, bilingual and first generation college students. Juliet believes that this is the blueprint for the future of Texas universities and could represent the landscape of Southern universities in the near future. Juliet's passionate advocacy on behalf of Hispanics nationwide has earned her a spot as one of the nation's best university presidents.
7. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg: Stephen Joel Trachtenberg was the 15th president of The George Washington University for nearly 20 years and currently holds the title of President Emeritus and university professor of public service. Before his historic role at GWU, Trachtenberg served as president of the University of Hartford for 11 years and as vice president for academic services and academic dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Stephen has created five new schools within George Washington University since beginning his tenure there and he has also played an instrumental role in growing the University's reputation around the country.
8. Scott Cowen: Scott Cowen is the president of Tulane University and is one of the most renowned business scholars in the world. He has written over 100 scholarly articles on various business topics. Scott was recruited to play football at the University of Connecticut after high school by the great Lou Holtz. He also served in the military in Turkey before returning to embark on an incredibly successful career as a businessman and educator. After Hurricane Katrina devastated Tulane's New Orleans campus, Cowen was critical of FEMA's response to the disaster and advocated strongly for Tulane to receive emergency funding to improve its hospital and medical center in the event of another catastrophe. This advocacy and his incredible success in business make shim one of the best university presidents in the nation.
9. Mary Sue Coleman: Mary Sue Coleman is the president of the University of Michigan, one of the most prestigious public universities in the United States. Under her guidance, the University raised more than $3 billion for scholarship, construction of new facilities and faculty incentives. This is the largest amount ever raised by a public university. Dr. Coleman has built her career on the foundations of scientific research and holds a PhD in biochemistry teaching positions in the college of chemistry and biology. She is formerly the president of the University of Iowa and has distinguished herself throughout her career as one of the best university presidents in the United States.
10. Freeman Hrabowski: Freeman Hrabowski has been the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County since 1992. Freeman received his doctorate at the age of 24 and has long been recognized as a genius level mathematician. He is a highly renowned African-American educator, and although his career is only beginning, he is already recognized as one of the brightest stars in the higher education system. We will be hearing much more from Mr. Hrabowski in the future.

1. Bear Bryant: Nick Saban may have a 43-11 record and a national championship in just four seasons at Alabama, but he has a long way to go before he comes close to earning the same kind of admiration and adoration from Tide fans as The Bear. Almost 30 years after Bryant’s death, his presence is felt during every game in Bryant-Denny Stadium, as numerous fans don his patented houndstooth hat to keep his memory alive. During his quarter of a century in Tuscaloosa, he compiled a 232-46-9 record, including 19-6 and 16-7-2 records against hated rivals Auburn and Tennessee, six national championships and 13 SEC championships. He coached notable players such as Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, John Hannah and Ozzie Newsome. Bryant, a football lifer, died just four weeks after his final game as Bama’s head coach, almost confirming his prediction that he’d "probably croak in a week" after retirement.
2. Knute Rockne: Knute Rockne tragically died at the age of 43 in a plane crash, so his coaching resume isn’t as extensive as, say, Bear Bryant’s, Joe Paterno’s or Bobby Bowden’s. But he certainly made the most of his 13 years leading the Irish, going 105-12-5 and winning five national championships. His success, early use of the forward pass and knack for public relations and marketing — valued skills in modern head coaches — helped shape Notre Dame into the nation’s most beloved football program.
3. Robert Neyland: General Robert Neyland, a graduate of West Point, served as an officer in the Corps of Engineers during World War I, an aide to Douglas MacArthur, and in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II, earning the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. The leadership skills he acquired while in the army transferred well onto the gridiron, where he led Tennessee to a 173-31-12 record, six undefeated seasons, four national championships and seven conference championships, five of which were in the SEC. Like modern SEC coaches, Neyland emphasized speed and defense, and his 1939 squad exemplified that, as it went the entire regular season without surrendering a point. Overall, the Vols recorded 17 consecutive shutouts from 1938 to 1940. His teams strictly adhered to his maxim to "Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes."
4. Bud Wilkinson: On Oklahoma’s Mount Rushmore of head coaches, which includes Bob Stoops, Barry Switzer and Bennie Owen, Bud Wilkinson is the most esteemed and recognizable. He coached 17 seasons for the Sooners, tallying a 145-29-4 record, three national championships, 14 Big Eight championships (previously known as the Big Six and Big Seven), and an 8-2 record in bowl games. Oklahoma’s dominance under Wilkinson was highlighted by three impressive streaks — 13 consecutive Big (Six, Seven and) Eight championships, an astounding 74-game lossless streak in the conference and, of course, a 47-game winning streak that still stands as the longest in college football history. Retiring at the age of 47 to pursue a career in politics, Wilkinson certainly wasn’t a "compiler" of wins, but had he stuck around for another decade or two, one could only imagine what his career record would look like today.
5. Woody Hayes: Woody Hayes had a temper that makes his one-time student Bobby Knight blush. Say what you want about his character flaws, there’s no doubt the guy knew how to coach and motivate a team of young men. During his career at Dennison, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio State, he amassed a 238-72-10 record, three national championships and 14 conference championships, including 13 in the Big 10. In the same way Robert Neyland represents the modern SEC coaching philosophy, Hayes represents the prominent Big 10 coaching philosophy through the years with his conservative three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust offense. He coached 58 All-Americans, including two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin. He was a disciplinarian who preached the value of hard work, attributing much of his success to simply outworking his opponents. His intense focus and surly demeanor can be explained by one quote: "Show me a gracious loser, and I’ll show you a bus boy." He lived to win.
6. Joe Paterno: JoePa is a living legend and the only active coach to make this list. The 84-year-old’s career at Penn State has now spanned six decades, and during that time, he has secured several coaching records. Currently, he has spent more years at Penn State than any other coach at a single program in the history of college football, and he’s the all-time winningest coach in Division I-A/FBS. No coach — ever — has recorded more bowl appearances (36) and wins (24) than Paterno. He’s the only coach to have won in each of the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange and Cotton Bowls. Most importantly, he has guided the Nittany Lions to two national championships and five undefeated seasons — his 1994 undefeated squad, which finished second in the nation, may have been his best. In addition to his accomplishments, Paterno is admired for his loyalty and integrity, which are two qualities many elite head coaches have lacked in recent years.
7. Bobby Bowden: Paterno shares a few similarities with his buddy and former all-time Division 1-A/FBS wins competitor Bobby Bowden. Both have coached in their 80s, experienced remarkable longevity as coaches and are synonymous with their respective programs. Simply put, Bobby Bowden is Florida State football. Prior to his arrival, the program had a 4-29 record in the previous three seasons; in his second season, the Noles went 10-2. Although FSU had several successful seasons under coaches Bill Peterson, Tom Nugent and Don Veller, it didn’t become a top flight operation until Bowden took over the reins. His most impressive work during his 34 seasons came from 1987 to 2000, when the team finished each season with 10 wins and a top-five ranking in the polls. During that stretch, he won both of his national championships and coached two Heisman Trophy winners — Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke. What’s more, he accomplished those feats while in-state rivals Florida and Miami were national powers. Bowden also boasts 12 ACC championships, nine of which were won consecutively from 1992 — FSU’s first year in the conference — to 2000. That’s a lot of dadgum success.
8. Eddie Robinson: Any list consisting of elite college football head coaches wouldn’t be complete without mention of Grambling’s Eddie Robinson, who’s best known for being the winningest coach in Division I-AA/FBS history, compiling a record of 408-165-15. He oversaw 45 winning seasons, 13 SWAC championships and nine black college football national championships, and coached more than 200 players who played professionally in the AFL and NFL. The final day of his career culminated with a call from President Clinton, who had previously called to congratulate him after his 400th win. The then-leader of the free world was one man who recognized the often unheralded accomplishments of Robinson.
9. Frank Leahy: Frank Leahy may have lacked the longevity of other coaches on this list, but he packed just about as much success into his 13 seasons as the head coach of Boston College and Notre Dame. In the history of Division I football, his .864 winning percentage (107-13-9 record) is second only to fellow Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne. He coached six undefeated season, which accounts for almost half of his career, oversaw a 39-game unbeaten streak and won four national championships — all with the Irish. After his retirement, Notre Dame struggled for the next decade until Ara Parseghian took over and won almost as efficiently as Leahy and Rockne.
10. Barry Switzer: Like him or not, it’s impossible to argue with Barry Switzer’s success at Oklahoma. During his first eight seasons at the helm, he won a Big Eight championship each year and two national championships. Overall, he won 12 Big Eight championships and three national championships in 16 seasons, compiling a 157-29-4 record and .837 winning percentage, which is the fourth best of all-time. He won 10 or more games in a season 11 times and never won fewer than seven games. Also impressive was his record against other elite head coaches — he was 12-5 versus rival Tom Osborne, 3-0-1 versus rival Darrell Royal (9-5-2 overall versus Texas), 5-3 versus Jimmy Johnson and 3-0 versus Bobby Bowden. Switzer more than proved that he belongs in the discussion with his big-name contemporaries.

Others who could easily make this subjective list: John Gagliardi, Larry Kehres, Walter Camp, Fielding Yost, Amos Alonzo Stagg, George Washington Woodruff, Pop Warner, Bernie Bierman, Ara Parseghian, Darrell Royal, John McKay, Tom Osborne.

Medicine is nothing if not a constantly changing practice. The treatments for a disease that were deemed necessary and proper ten years ago have given way to new plans derived from advances in technology and science. But it's not just the tech that's constantly revolutionizing the field: it's the ideas from which they're born. The future of medicine has always been dictated by men and women who think outside the box, and this scattering of TED talks is a great way for today's doctors, nurses, and medical students to get a glimpse of what's to come.

1. Aditi Shankardass: Neuroscientist Aditi Shankardass is doing amazing things with EEG technology, especially when it comes to redefining the way we approach diagnosing developmental disorders in children. She argues (compellingly) that looking at a child's brain, not just their behavior, is the key to discovering the truth.
2. Alan Russell: Alan Russell's 2006 speech digs into something that would have been considered science-fiction a generation ago: instead of treating bodily injury with supports or prosthetics, why not attempt to regenerate real body parts and organs? It's a fascinating look at the horizon of modern medicine, one that's getting closer every day.
3. Anthony Atala: This 2009 video makes a great follow-up to the previous one, as Anthony Atala talks about what's happening in the specific areas of organ generation and how it can change the world.
4. Catherine Mohr: "A talk about surgical robots is also a talk about surgery." Catherine Mohr's fascinating look at the past and present of surgical tech highlights the future as well, and how more and more procedures are being assisted and performed by machines.
5. Christopher deCharms: This quick (four-minute) talk from 2008 is riveting despite its brevity, thanks to the subject matter. Christopher deCharms talks about using MRI technology to see how we function and feel in real time.
6. Daniel Kraft: Kraft is a real pioneer, and his 2009 speech covers his innovative methods of harvesting bone marrow with minimal discomfort to the donor.
7. David Agus: David Agus speaks frankly about how cancer diagnosis and treatment needs to radically change and take a long-term view of disease eradication and not just stopping the short-term problems.
8. Dean Ornish (2004): The first Dean Ornish speech to make the list, this 2004 address deals with the body's natural ability to heal itself. It's a smart and deceptively simple way to approach a big-picture view of health care.
9. Dean Ornish (2008): This quickie from Dean Ornish talks about how lifestyle changes don't just improve your health but can actually alter your genetic make-up.
10. Eric Topol: Smartphones aren't just for playing "Angry Birds" anymore, as Eric Topol highlights in his engaging talk. Wireless devices are becoming tools of medical diagnosis as well as colleague-to-colleague communication. Expectant mothers can now monitor fetal heartrate on their iPhones. How awesome is that?
11. Joe DeRisi: Joe DeRisi, a biochemist, has some amazing ideas about how DNA can be used as a predictor of disease, effectively making it possible to cure problems before they appear.
12. Kary Mullis: Kary Mullis has won a Nobel Prize for chemistry, so he knows what he's talking about. His brief speech illuminates the way molecules can be targeted to kill bacteria.
13. Kevin Stone: An orthopedic surgeon, Kevin Stone has some great ideas about using animal tissue to reconstruct damaged human limbs and joints. It could be a way to eliminate the entire donor process.
14. Marc Koska: Filmed in 2009, this frank talk from Marc Koska deals with how the reuse of syringes kills more than 1 million people every year.
15. Michael Specter: Many medical professionals find themselves beset by complaints from people who suddenly deny the track record of scientific progress. This speech will comfort any nurse or doctor who's dealt with a wingnut denier and give them ways to counter bogus claims.
16. Paul Ewald: Evolutionary biologist Paul Ewald is pushing the envelope when it comes to how we think about germs and other micro-organisms and the way they lead to disease.
17. Pawan Sinha: We tend to take sight for granted, but Pawan Sinha doesn't. By providing treatment to children born blind, Sinha and his team are able to study how the brain learns to see, and they can then use that data to gain insight into broader neurological areas.
18. Seth Berkley: The key to defeating HIV isn't just developing a vaccine but implementing a distribution process that works for the third world, according to this insightful talk from Seth Berkley.
19. Thulasiraj Ravilla: The costs of health care have been in the news more than usual in the past couple years, which makes Thulasiraj Ravilla's 2009 especially relevant. His work to bring affordable eye care to millions in India offers a template for ways other countries can increase the quality of care without seeing costs skyrocket.
20. William Li: Most patients — and most doctors and nurses, as well — think about cancer in terms of treatment after diagnosis. But William Li's captivating talk asks viewers to consider taking preemptive measures, namely eating foods designed to fight cancer and prevent the growth of blood vessels that would support tumors. Maybe the new year means a new diet.

Considering the fertility of most kids' and young adults' imaginations, the science-fiction and fantasy genres seem a natural fit for many readers. Parents and teachers hoping to encourage them to pick up a book and expand their minds may want to skim over this list — compiled from recommendations by public libraries and ardent fans of sci-fi — for something appealing. Be sure to click on the links for more information about appropriate age ranges, especially for some of the more mature classics.

Classics

1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle: This whip-smart novel introduced many children to the concepts behind tesseracts, time travel and many other real scientific concepts applied to a purely speculative setting.

2. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell: Perfect for high school students curious about the tenets of dystopian literature, with more emphasis on philosophy than technology.

3. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury: Several interlocking stories spanning a wide time frame question what life might be like if human colonized Mars.

4. The Ender's Game Series by Orson Scott Card: The brilliant eponymous character must lead humanity into battle against alien assaults in this multiple award-winning classic sci-fi series.

5. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series by Douglas Adams: More appropriate for high school readers, the incomparable Hitchhiker's Guide books soar through the universe with some truly unique characters and gut-busting humor.

6. The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov: Like Ray Bradbury, pretty much all of Isaac Asimov's sci-fi writings would appeal to young adults (kids probably not so much), but the Foundation novels remain some of his most influential.

7. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson: Teenage girls who enjoy strong female protagonists, dystopias and the tenets of cyberpunk seriously need to pick up one of the most essential Neal Stephenson novels.

8. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clark: Yet another writer whose entire oeuvre probably deserves inclusion here, the story of mysterious monoliths, the eerie HAL 9000 and the humans they impact for good or for ill.

9. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells: The Time Machine and The Island of Dr. Moreau could easily work on this list as well, but H.G. Wells' infamous tale of an alien invasion is probably one of his most recognized and adapted works — making it a nice place to start when diving into his works.

10. The Giver by Lois Lowry: A classic dystopian novel, The Giver is an excellent read for kids who feel a bit out of step with their surroundings.

11. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: Many of Jules Verne's beloved writings traipse the line between science fiction and fantasy, but this imaginative classic tips mostly towards the former.

12. Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut: The debut novel by one of America's most beloved authors makes for a very nice introduction to dystopian science-fiction. As one can probably imagine, it's mainly suited for older high school students.

13. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem: Older young adults hoping to see technological wonders peppered with plenty of provocative philosophy would do well to explore Stanislaw Lem's masterpiece.

14. Neuromancer by William Gibson: If cyberpunk seems appealing, readers can do no better than to pick up one of the defining novels of the science-fiction subgenre.

15. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Abject horror and abused science converge in one of the most beloved English-language novels ever committed to print.

16. The Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert: One exceptional spice sits at the center of an interstellar conflict wrought with intrigue and adventure, granting great esteem and power to all who consume it.

17. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: High school students can wax nostalgic over the "dinosaur phase" that nearly every child experiences by exploring a wondrous, dangerous destination from the safety of a book.

18. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick: Follow a day in the life of bounty hunter Rick Deckard as he tracks and shuts down some ridiculously human robots.

19. The Ringworld Series by Larry Niven: Aliens, insanely advanced technologies and imaginative adventures launched the Ringworld books to international acclaim and solidifying its place amongst the best science fiction literature.

20. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes: This tear-jerker began life as a short story before expanding upon the tale of a mentally handicapped man undergoing a revolutionary procedure to improve his intelligence.

21. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin: Explore some fantastic new worlds through a philosophical lens, courtesy of Ursula K. Le Guin's heavily influential novel.

22. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: One of the most masterful English-language adventure writers places protagonist John Carter in a daring, life-threatening quest to save the eponymous royal woman.

23. Flatland by Edwin Abbot: Especially appropriate for high school students with a particular fondness for math and literary criticism, Flatland ruthlessly satirizes Victorian society using a very unique cast of characters.

24. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein: Raised by Martians, the human Valentine Michael Smith experiences culture shock when interacting with Earth culture — which ends up sealing his eventual fate.

25. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: Another quintessential dystopia, depicting a severely numb, sterile world without any real emotions, sensations or individuality.

Possible Future Classics

26. Alien Secrets by Annette Curtis Klause: A young girl befriends a frightened alien frantically searching for a lost artifact in a memorable, acclaimed science-fiction mystery.

27. Aliens Don't Wear Braces by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones: The Bailey School Kids suspect their eccentric new art teacher with white hair and braces may hail from another planet. In quite a literal sense.

28. Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson: When sinister cetaceans plot to conquer humanity with their laser eyes and sky-high stilts, three plucky kids have to put an end to the shenanigans in this absolutely hilarious postmodern tale.

29. The Animorphs Series by K.A. Applegate: In order to stave off a dire invasion by mind-controlling aliens, a small throng of friends have to transform into different Earth animals using some decidedly un-Earthly means.

30. Jumper by Steven Gould: Young David Rice possesses a strange teleportation power and cannot place its origins. Unfortunately for him, its initial benefits start giving way to more nasty bits.

31. The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfield: Arbitrary beauty memes come to their logical and tragic conclusion, forcing people into staunch conformity. At least until Tally Youngblood comes along with a few challenges of her own.

32. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer: Societies full of clones and humans with chips overriding their intelligence raise some intense, yet age-appropriate, questions regarding the nature of existence and free will.

33. Singing the Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman: Joss Aaronson's new alien roommate Mavkel takes her on a strange and beautiful journey through time and space, with plenty of adventure and humor to spare.

34. Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix: Two elderly women undergo a dangerous and controversial procedure to age themselves backwards, but the expected unintended consequences start filtering in one by one.

35. The Norby Chronicles by Janet and Isaac Asimov: The affable, scatterbrained robot from the title has to pair up with one of his human students in order to thwart a possible universal takeover.

36. The White Fox Chronicles by Gary Paulsen: 14-year-old prison camp escapee Cody Pierce must go back and free his peers from the machinations of the Confederation of Consolidated Republics.

37. Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Engdahl: Part fantasy, part science-fiction, this novel for young adult readers places a young woman in the center of an interplanetary conflict between technology and magic.

38. The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick: Set in a postapocalyptic future, a throng of kids struggle to survive as society divides itself along genetic lines.

39. Aliens for Breakfast by Jonathan Etra and Stephanie Spinner: When a tiny alien pops out of his morning cereal, a young boy finds his day entirely hijacked by stopping an impending invasion.

40. The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer: The titular individuals attempt to rid the world of the invisible Parasite race, but as the narrative unfolds they begin questioning exactly what the little blue creatures do for humanity.

41. The Commander Toad Series by Jane Yolen: Follow the courageous Commander Toad and the crew of the good space ship Star Warts on their fun, fantastic voyages across the universe.

42. The Duplicate by William Sleator: Things go entirely awry when David discovers a machine capable of duplicating organic matter and uses it to help him appear in two places at once.

43. My Teacher is an Alien by Bruce Coville: Substitute teacher Mr. Smith (IF THAT'S HIS REAL NAME) reall has it out for one particular sixth-grade class — and the world!

44. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow: A whip-smart young adult novel channeling post-9/11 fear and paranoia resulting from heightened surveillance, with events taking place in a science-fiction San Francisco following a terrorist attack.

45. Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem: Masterful Jonathan Lethem bottles up the real confusion and anxiety of adolescence in an imaginative interplanetary setting perceived with some very terrestrial perspectives.

46. Eva by Peter Dickinson: Thanks to science, a young woman mortally injured in a car crash gets a second chance at life in the body of a chimpanzee.

47. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson: After waking from a coma (it's really serious), the eponymous character learns the sordid truth about her recovery and the mysteriously keen intelligence that came with it.

48. The Hunger Games Trilogy: by Suzanne Collins: Gladiatorial children compete for political and regional dominance at the behest of a collapsed United States reborn as a ruthless dystopia.

49. An Audience for Einstein by Mark Wakely: Scientists fight over the body of Miguel Sanchez, selected to receive great knowledge and wealth as the recipient of a dying astrophysicist's memories — but forced to sacrifice his own individuality in the process.

50. Dancing with an Alien by Mary Logue: Teenagers fond of doomed romances may want to pick up this science-fiction love story of a young lady and the invading alien who loves her.

1. Facebook might lead to lower grades: Facebook — which started as a networking site exclusively for college students — gets a bad rap for Big Brother-like monitoring, tempting young people to sabotage their career prospects by posting scandalous photos, and for being a total time waster, and now it may be a scapegoat for bad grades, too. A study organized by graduate students at Ohio State University and Ohio Dominican University found that, while the majority of Facebook users didn’t think logging onto the site hurt grades, students who participated in the study and did use Facebook had GPAs of .5 – 1.0 points lower than those who didn’t. Students who did not have a Facebook account maintained GPAs of 3.5-4.0. The biggest identifying factor in lower grades and poor academic habits was noted in terms of time spent studying: Facebook users only studied one to five hours per week, while those not on Facebook studied 11 to 15 hours per week. Undergraduates and graduate students were studied, but significantly less graduate students had Facebook accounts.
2. Online students perform better than students in a classroom: The New York Times reported in August 2009 the findings of a study conducted by SRI International on behalf of the Department of Education on the success of online students versus students who attended classes in an actual classroom. For 12 years, in K-12 settings and in colleges and adult continuing-education programs, researchers found that students with at least some online instruction generally performed in the 59th percentile, while those with no online learning scored in the 50th percentile. Researchers believe that the technology may not be the defining factor in the separation: the independent and customized learning programs that online learning tends to emphasize probably made the difference.
3. College students are less empathetic: This study garnered lots of media attention when it was released in 2010: college students are less empathetic than students were 30 years ago. Scientific American pointed to the study as a kind of proof for backing the "Generation Me" epidemic that has spread thanks to social media sites, which allow people to feel more disconnected to actual circumstances and people’s feelings. The 30-year study was presented at the Association for Psychological Science, and scientists found that levels of empathy had declined about 40% over the entire time period, with the most dramatic drop occurring in the last nine years.
4. Cyberbullying in college: Parents and kids across the country have seen a spike in bullying cases and cyberbullying episodes, but college students living on campus aren’t removed from the problem, either. Baylor University doctoral student Ikuko Aoyama conducted a study on sex differences in cyberbullying and bullying at the college level. Ikuko proposed that since so many middle and high schoolers participate in bullying — even as victims bullying back, a trend made easier thanks to social media and virtual websites — they will continue their behavior in college.
5. Women are underrepresented in academia: This 2004 study was actually the first ever "comprehensive national analysis of college faculty positions held by female and minority males at the nation’s top math, science and engineering departments," which makes the findings of the study less surprising. It seems that women and minorities weren’t even given enough attention or support to answer claims of prejudice or unfairness in hiring practices until the study was conducted. Led by University of Oklahoma chemistry professor Dr. Donna Nelson, the study concluded that between 3 and 15% of full professors at the nation’s top engineering and science departments were women. While the number of women who have been pursuing doctorate degrees in the last 20 years has increased dramatically, they’re not being rewarded with the top jobs in academia.
6. Alcohol-Related Mortality and Morbidity: Alcohol has been a big problem for campuses, students, public health campaigns, and the higher education system in general, but a study conducted between 1998-2005 revealed some scary statistics about how deadly alcohol can be for college students. Conducted by doctors and scientists at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the study found that alcohol-related unintentional injury deaths increased for the college set (ages 18-24) 3% per 100,000 from 1998-2005. Driving under the influence of alcohol increased between 7 and 9% proportionally, and between 1999-2005; the students who admitted drinking five or more drinks on one occasion within the last month increased from 41.7% to 44.7%. By age group, most increases occurred within the 21-24 set, within the legal drinking age.
7. STDs are most common college student threat: After some of the previous research studies we listed, you might think that bullying, binge drinking, or drinking and driving are the biggest threats to college students, but in fact, it’s STDs. A 2005 study conducted by Scholly, Katz, Gascoigne and Holck followed undergraduate students at four American universities. They found that 80% of the students they followed "had at least one sexual partner during the preceding year." Because another study — conducted by the department of Health Sciences at Columbia University — found that 20-25% of college students around the U.S. have or have transmitted an STD, the findings from Scholly, Katz, Gascoigne and Holck’s research are especially worrisome. If 80% of students are having sex, and nearly a quarter of them have STDs, you can imagine how fast HPV and chlamydia are spreading.
8. Students are more narcisstic: College students aren’t just less empathetic, they’re also way more full of themselves, this study found. San Diego State University Professor Jean Twenge led the study asked over 16,000 college students to fill out evaluations between 1982 and 2006. The forms, called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, found steady increases in the responses of students, but by 2006, "two-thirds of the students had above-average scores," meaning they responded very positively to statements like, "I think I am a special person." Credited culprits? Professors named everything from social media and YouTube to the popular nursery rhyme, "Frere Jacques."
9. Students don’t think binge drinking is a problem: While researchers found in one of our previously listed studies that more college students are binge drinking today, this study found that students don’t seem to get why it’s an issue. With participation and support from The Century Council and the Ad Council, researchers discovered that college students don’t "buy into the commonly used five drink/four drink definition" or even the idea of binge drinking, reports CampusSafetyMagazine.com. Students don’t tend to count standard drinks, either, and don’t respond to scare tactics or even peer messages in advertising: bad news for the councils that want to create effective campaigns to lower drinking levels.
10. Students estimate that they drink more than they really do: Another alcohol-related study actually found that students estimate that they drink more than they really do, or at least come closer to the actual amount than researchers previously gave them credit for. While some of the findings from the previous study seem to hold true here — that students don’t count standard drinks and generally pour drinks that "are way too big" — this 2005 study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research discovered that students correctly estimated their BAC, which was then taken by breathalyzer for an exact calculation. One hundred four males and forty-eight females participated in the study, proving to researchers that college students are pretty good at understanding just how drunk they really are, no matter how many drinks — or drinks-and-a-half — they’ve had.

1. He was baptized on April 26, 1564: Most baptisms at the time took place between 3 and 4 days of birth, so historians posit Shakespeare’s birth at roughly April 22nd or 23rd, though gravitate more towards the latter. His day of death – April 23rd, 1616 — and age listed on his gravesite (53) both add credence to the theory. The baptism itself took place at the parish church in Stratford-on-Avon, and many question the true religious leanings of the Shakespeare family. Many whispers of Catholicism pepper his oeuvre, though he lived during oppressively Protestant times, and his daughters allegedly received a Catholic education much like their grandfather.

2. Even as a newer writer, he incited jealousy: A 1952 pamphlet by Robert Greene, an excerpt of which can be found on Palomar Community College’s website, highlighted fear of the Bard himself early in his career. Greene’s Groats-worth of Wit makes mention of an "upstart crow," "peasant," and "rude groom" recently entering the literary sphere, coming off as a pompously envious dismissal of his talents rather than supportive or excited. It is suspected that Thomas Nasche, George Peele and Christopher Marlowe also participated in the needless public skewering as well. One wonders if the theories of Marlowe penning some of Shakespeare’s works stemmed from this rather obvious display of macho posturing.

3. One of the most famous Shakespeare portraits is a fraud: The Royal Shakespeare Company owns a painting of the playwright dated 1609. Known as "The Flower Portrait," many people mentally refer to it whenever Shakespeare’s name gets mentioned. Tests by the National Portrait Gallery reveal its origins lay sometime between 1814 and 1840, produced as the Bard’s work experienced a resurgence in popularity. The 2005 analysis came to these conclusions after discovering the use of a particular chrome yellow paint unavailable during the Elizabethan Era, but very common in the 19th Century. In spite of its fraudulent dating, it still remains a gorgeous portrait.

4. His dad served as the Bailiff of Stratford: John Shakespeare’s social and political clout earned him the prodigious title of "Bailiff of Stratford" — an elected position — in 1568. But, like most stereotypic politicians, he dabbled in some illegal trades. While simultaneously working as a (legal) moneylender, John also conducted underground business as a "brogger," or wool merchant. This definitely earned him a not-disagreeable sum of money for the Shakespeare family, and the young William often accompanied his father on these sketchy dealings. In fact, much of what he picked up from the experience inspired characters, scenes, concepts and vocabulary later utilized in his plays and poetry — some of them largely successful in their time!

5. He likely read and wrote before attending grammar school: Not unusual for boys of his time, of course. Many historians believe that William’s mother Mary may have tutored her son in basic literacy prior to his starting at the local Stratford grammar school. He started in 1571 and studied a Renaissance-inspired curriculum emphasizing the Greek and Latin classics, eventually becoming proficient (if not fluent) in both languages and having to memorize massive literary passages. Civic duties, etiquette and lessons in proper debate rounded out there lessons. Protestantism also flooded the classrooms at that time, though Shakespeare likely studied under Catholic sympathizers and picked up the tenets of both at the same time.

6. But he didn’t stay: John Shakespeare’s underhanded wool dealings eventually caught up with him, sending the family into disgrace and ruin. He refused to pay taxes meant to support the local armies tasked with quelling any Catholic activity they encountered, eventually dumping off most of the family’s resources and holdings in order to deter suspicion. Because of this, William ended up leaving school in 1580, which obliterated his chances of ever going to a university. Instead, he ended up tasked with keeping the family financially afloat by working as a glover alongside his father, references to which do occasionally crop up in his extensive oeuvre.

7. William Herbert likely inspired some of his sonnets: Shakespeare’s most memorable, mysterious and striking sonnets involved two men embroiled in a love triangle with the scintillating, ethereal and wholly mystifying Dark Lady. Experts believe the other man in the picture was one William Herbert, a rather beautiful youth who may have inspired the poet shortly after the death of his own son Hamnet. His mother Mary gained renown as an ardent literary patron who commissioned Shakespeare to pen some sonnets for her son — many of them making a plea for the then-17-year-old to settle down and find himself a wife. Both the timeless poet and the future Earl of Pembroke kept Emilia Lanier as a mistress, herself believed to be the real Dark Lady.

8. Anne Hathaway may have inspired his first poem: After impregnating the 26-year-old Anne Hathaway, an 18-year-old Shakespeare ended up marrying her in 1582. Debates swarm over whether or not he truly loved her or merely felt social and religious pressure to take her to the altar, though a trademark puns in his earliest known poem do hint towards the former attitude. Nobody knows for certain, but its estimated date and cheeky reference to her surname do place it during that time frame. Shakespeare cared little for his freshman effort, though the poem certainly laid the groundwork for future timeless successes — especially when it comes to his use of frightfully clever puns.

9. He and his father established the Shakespeare coat of arms: Life grew worse and worse for John Shakespeare following his ousting as bailiff and the revelation of his scandalous wool trading. Following Hamnet’s death, William reached out to his father and took him on an outing to the College of Arms to secure their own family crest. By 1946, John had re-established himself socially and financially, but a coat of arms would have bought him considerable status and immensely increased his chances of climbing the metaphorical ladder. Ultimately, the father-son duo secured the family coat of arms what still exists today — and it bears the Latin inscription "Non Sans Droict," or "Not Without Right."

10. He was subjected to a large degree of censorship: Although he experienced the rare fortune of enjoying renown and money during his lifetime, Shakespeare did have to contend with plenty of legal restrictions beginning in June of 1599. Queen Elizabeth I ordered all writers — most especially those dealing with English history — without the approval of a privy council. All of his output past this date had to contend with the guidelines set forth by the Company of Stationers’ declarations. Prior to and after these restrictions, however, he did speak of the Tudor dynasty in glowing terms when penning his Anglocentric historical plays. But he had to avoid any sardonic, subtle pokes once the laws passed. The histories still make for excellent reading, though. Just don’t take them as anything but propaganda. Future demands fined playwrights for the use of any profane language.

11. Susanna Shakespeare ended up in legal trouble: Speculation abounds regarding the Shakespeare family’s true religious loyalties, though they did possess some rather obvious ties to Catholicism. William and Anne’s oldest child Susanna ended up in a 1606 church court along with 20 other accused individuals. The reigning Protestant regime found her refusal to receive Easter Communion a cause of great concern. It does not appear as if any particularly serious charges ended up against her, though. Certainly not a significant jail sentence or execution. She would go on to marry physician John Hall the following year and give birth to their daughter Elizabeth the year after that.

12. He lived in a former safe house for Catholics: Shakespeare, in his time, earned enough money writing to own his own homes and tracts of land as well as supporting a family. Having worked both in court as well as at popular theatres, he certainly ended up on Elizabeth I’s radar! But he certainly inspired quite the brouhaha when he purchased a London home that once served as a sanctuary for Catholics fleeing from Protestant persecution. Located near Blackfriars, it hosted a winding series of tunnels that created an ideal hiding place — a fact not lost on neighbors and government officials who knew of his filial connections to Catholicism.

13. He has ties to at least 8 different London addresses: It is possible, of course, that he lived or stayed elsewhere, of course, but only eight recognized records exist that pair his name up with a London address. The first places him in Shoreditch, a rather ramshackle neighborhood known for the theatre industry. Many think he worked as a horse holder, prompt boy and runner while penning his first histories. Other neighborhoods with which he appears connected, such as Paris Garden and Southwark, inspired mention in plays as popular as Twelfth Night and helped him create vivid atmospheres. The suspicious and controversial former Catholic safe house he purchased in 1613 remains one of his more famous (infamous in some circles) locales.

14. His theatre career involved more than just playwriting: Obviously, Shakespeare’s plays and poems remain the lynchpin of his century-spanning legacy. Mainstream consciousness tends to forget the fact that he also acted as well. While working with the Lord Chamberlain’s Company — later renamed King’s Company — he served in whatever capacity the group needed. So not only did he write some of their most popular plays, he also performed! Unfortunately, no data exists on which roles Shakespeare took, though it is rather humorous to imagine the staid balding gentleman pretending to be a young lady in his early years. But he would join his fellow company members, including the famed Richard Burbage, on such prestigious theatre stages as the Globe and Blackfriars.

15. On his tomb lay a curse: William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 of unknown causes, likely some type of illness. Two days later, his family buried him at Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church in a tomb beneath the floor. Atop his final resting place lay a stone engraved with a rhymed curse intending to ward off the gravediggers sadly common at the time. Nobody knows for certain whether or not the writer whipped it up himself or not, but nobody has yet to disturb his remains. Even when the original stone sank deep into the floor, a replacement with the exact same poem was set right there in its place.

1. Einstein the Parrot talks and squawks: Stephanie White and Einstein the African Grey from the Knoxville Zoo pair off in a comedic showcase of the latter’s talents. Capable of 200 unique vocalizations, including English phrases and other animal noises, she also performs at least half of them based on her handler’s cues. In spite of its humor and entertainment value, the video’s main goals revolve around education rather than performance. The concluding message of conservation’s importance pairs nicely with the brief display of parrot cognition. Einstein’s training parallels that of the extraordinary Alex, another African Grey used in researching avian brain functions and behaviors.

2. Corneille Ewango is a hero of the Congo forest: Politics and science are inextricably intertwined, and Corneille Ewango pulls from personal experience to shed light on the problem of poaching. Though a botanist by trade, his work with the Okapi Faunal Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has garnered much positive attention. Because Ewango grew up in the country amongst a family of poachers, soldiers and fishermen, he completely understands the social, political and economic motivations that factor into dwindling populations of threatened and endangered species. Education, he argues, remains the only way to ensure the preservation of the Congo’s flora and fauna. Without it, the unfortunate cycle of slaughtering elephants for ivory and other ecologically dangerous activities would persist in some form or another. This video is a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about the history (and present) of mankind’s troubled relationships with the animal kingdom.

3. Dee Boersma: Pay attention to penguins: These quirky, beloved birds provide biologists with a means of better understanding the ocean ecosystems as a whole. Galapagos penguins, for example, change their habits whenever El Nino or La Nina passes through — a phenomenon of interest to more than just biologists! But from a macro standpoint, the birds in general serve as a generally accurate indicators of shifting currents and weather patterns. Dee Boersma absolutely adores penguins, and her work with the Wildlife Conservation Society hopes to replenish their populations in order to benefit the planet — most especially those needing to divine any potential natural disasters that may crop up as a result of tempestuous seas.

4. Dennis vanEngelsdorf: a plea for bees: Around 30% of bee colonies perished in the winter of 2007 and 2008. Scientists struggle to find the source of this alarming, unexpectedly high fatality rate, but have yet to come up with any definitive answer. Colony Collapse Disorder passes through apian communities like viruses, and the side effects directly impact humans and other animals. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Dennis vanEngelsdorf postulates that "one in three bites of food" shares some direct or indirect relationship with bees. Fewer insects means fewer plants — many of which explicitly attract them — receive the pollination they need to perpetuate. This can have some exceedingly unfortunate repercussions on food supplies, so the problem should not go ignored. vanEngelsdorf argues for better bee conservation, making a compelling plea to remain mindful of local plants that nurture their populations. Obviously, he does not mean to stop mowing lawns or other necessities, but rather making an effort to create more green spaces and refrain from making any unnecessary removals.

5. David Gallo on life in the deep oceans: Though filmed in 1998, these striking videos of the bizarre and beautiful creatures inhabiting the deepest oceanic depths still mesmerize viewers. David Gallo usually plunges into the ocean on his trusty submarine in search of sunken vessels, but he picks up some breathtaking images and videos of the ocean’s rich biodiversity along the way. The majority of people, animal lovers or not, lack the resources to properly plunge its depths and explore all the creatures within. People like Gallo are integral to promoting global understanding of such a delicate, eclectic ecosystem because of this, and his presentation does not disappoint. Jellyfish especially capture his eyes and lenses, flaunting some of the world’s longest specimens right here in this TED Talk.

6. Jane Goodall helps humans and animals live together: Jane Goodall left an amazing legacy in the field of primatology after her groundbreaking work amongst African (largely Tanzanian) chimpanzees. She continues to research and lecture on biological, ecological and environmental topics in addition to promoting harmonious relationships between people and the animals living nearby. This video sums up the tenets of TACARE and some of her other related undertakings, which involves educating communities, providing them with resources to prevent HIV/AIDS, viable water sources and more. The restructuring also means communicating clearly about preserving the surrounding environments and stressing the importance of understanding interspecies boundaries. After all, Goodall stresses, chimpanzees and humans share much, much more than common DNA. With so many eerily similar behavior patterns, people should come to a greater understanding (and respect) of their wild cousins.

7. Kartick Satyanarayan: How we rescued the "dancing" bears: Shocked at the intolerable cruelty heaped upon sloth bear cubs captured for entertainment purposes, Kartick Satyanarayan set out to end it. After discovering these dancing bears existed as the solitary source of income for marginalized and impoverished peoples, he realized that merely freeing the captives would not work. Instead, he devised a more sustainable plan revolving around exchange programs. He would give former owners the resources needed to set up small businesses of their own in exchange for the animals. Educational opportunities and vocational training are also made available to these overlooked communities in order to help them rely more on their own work rather than a dangerous, abused predator for sustenance. Such a measure has proven thankfully successful, and Satyanarayan set up a sanctuary to care for the recovered bears.

8. Paul Sereno digs up dinosaurs: Much like deep-sea organisms, prehistoric animals hold a particular fascination with the populace owing to their inaccessibility. Here, paleontologist Paul Sereno shares some of his research with the world in order to illustrate biology’s prehistory and its relevance to today’s scientific climate. Evolution also plays a heavy role in his lecture as well, with plenty of visuals to better highlight how animals slowly transitioned over time. In order to promote an appreciation of his chosen field, Sereno launched Project Exploration in Chicago for underperforming students. The nonprofit opens up animals and science to high school-aged minds and encourages their education rather than trap them in some sort of restrictive conformist mold. Many graduates end up studying at Ivy League or equivalent institutions after turning both their grades and their engagement around. And it all stretches back to those giant lizards stomping about the planet millions (not thousands!) of years ago.

9. John Kasaona: How Poachers Became Caretakers: In a move that benefits both communities and environments, John Kasaona works with Namibians to serve as caretakers for endangered species. Joshua Kangombe — the leader of the Himba peoples – realized that poachers like Kasaona’s father understood the needs and habits of the local wildlife better than anyone. In an attempt to quell serious issues of famine and drought, The Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation employed Kangombe as a consultant and began building off his observations. As a result, former poachers responsible for the dwindling populations of important animals ended up tasked with bringing them back from the brink — and the plan worked out splendidly. Businesses sprung up in the wake of established preserves, and tourists (and their money!) filter in to see the 130 lions and the world’s largest population of black rhinos — a much more sustainable, lucrative solution than poaching could ever provide.

10. Joshua Klein on the intelligence of crows: Sure, crows sometimes act the squawking, scavenging pest, but biohacker Joshua Klein finds them absolutely fascinating. This TED Talk peers into the fascinating science behind the common corvid, pointing out their impressive memories and knack for adapting to human encroachment. Crows display a remarkable talent for improvising their own tools as well, and Klein channeled his decade’s worth of research into creating a vending machine based on Skinnerian concepts. Suffice to say, the hyper-intelligent birds eventually figured out how to treat themselves to a peanut snack by sticking coins in the designated slot. The psychology and biology behind the experiment will likely fascinate anyone interested in learning more about birds and animal behavior — not to mention inspire speculation on mutually beneficial applications of this knowledge.

11. Sheila Patek clocks the world’s fastest animals: Surprisingly enough, mantis shrimp exhibit some of the fastest speeds in the animal kingdom. In water, it strikes prey between 10 and 23 meters per second, or around 45 miles per hour — very impressive, considering the amount of pressure and resistance involved. Different species utilize different methods, usually either a stabbing or a smashing motion, but either way they still accomplish insane velocity. Biologist Sheila Patek specializes in chronicling and studying animal speeds, and her lecture dissects the details of many videos she’s taken. She showcases the curious crustacean at various frames per minute to better highlight its strange and wonderful feeding habits.

12. Keith Bellows on the camel’s hump: This tragically underwatched lecture features a rather interesting premise. Keith Bellows analyzes "the SUV of the desert" from an engineering rather than biological standpoint. On a trip to Jordan, he became absolutely fascinated with the myriad ways in which camels adapted to their harsh desert homes — to the point he paired up with a National Geographic film crew and shot extensive videos of the Washington Zoo’s specimens. He shares these with the TED audience (and, by extension, viewers at home), allowing them to fully grasp how everything from their ears to their famous humps work. No, they do not store water — but there is actually some kernel of truth to the myth.

13. Laurie Santos: A monkey economy as irrational as ours: Anyone fascinated by primates and their intriguing — and understandable — parallels with human behavior needs to give this lecture a little look-see. Experiments and observations made of capuchin commerce seem eerily similar to human economic structures, and a "monkey marketplace" reveals their ability to make choices based on both quality and frugality. Marvel at how individual specimens make decisions that work best for them and how they hold a mirror up to mankind’s own habits. It certainly raises some provocative questions about the true nature and origins of reason and cognition.

14. Ian Dunbar on dog-friendly dog training: Ian Dunbar’s experience as a veterinarian, animal behavior expert and dog trainer led him towards an empathic method of ensuring that canine companions know how to act. He argues that most training involves strictly human perceptions of hierarchy and interest, but these ultimately yield more uneven results. The more effective approaches involve a greater understanding of canine social, biological and cognitive structures, which fosters strong, harmonious relationships between person and pet. Although the talk deals with connections between humans and their beloved animal friends, broader lessons flow throughout the lecture. After all, compassion and empathy resonate in more than pet training situations!

15. Robert Full: Learning from the gecko’s tail: These quirky lizards make for popular pets, partly because they possess such intriguing tails and feet. Biologists, including Robert Full, developed wall-climbing devices emulating the fine, sticky structures that allow them to scale flat, vertical surfaces with ease. They eventually created Stickybot to test practical and mechanical applications of gecko movement and accompanying use of dry adhesive. When studying the tail’s role in locomotion, the scientists realized that they were working with "the world’s fastest air-righting response" — and later experimented with wind tunnels to see if the lizards could teach themselves to glide. Suffice to say, the resulting videos proved breathtaking. And no animals were harmed.

16. Peter Tyack: The intriguing sound of marine mammals: Listen to an incredible cetacean symphony and learn about their uncanny ability to vocalize across hundreds of miles. Dolphins and whales utilize a highly complex communication system to discuss feeding opportunities, find straying family members and more. Unfortunately, human machinery unwittingly disrupts their clicks, hums and tweets. As a result, some of the animals grow confused or wander out of audibility’s range. Fortunately, companies such as Maersk reduced their possibly negative impact by slowing down their shipping lines and lowering their fuel intake. The International Maritime Organization responded to pleas by scientists to redraw their lanes in order to minimize the risk of colliding with giant marine mammals.

17. Tierny Thys swims with the giant sunfish: These fishy behemoths are referred to as both the giant sunfish and the Mola mola. Weighing in at nearly 5,000 pounds, Guinness recognizes the species as the world’s heaviest bony fish, most prolific vertebrate egglayer and the "vertebrate growth champion." Combine that with an extremely strange "cut-off shape," and it makes sense why so many find it a fantastically intriguing study. Sunfish feed off moon jellyfish and enjoy basking on the ocean’s surface and soaking up some light. They have remained largely unchanged from an evolutionary perspective as well, having burst on the scene some 50 million years ago. Tierny Thys absolutely loves these curious, overlooked denizens of the deep, and her TED talk reflects that passion and opens up viewers’ minds to the strange and beautiful animals they may not otherwise know about.

18. Charles Anderson discovers dragonflies that cross oceans: Out of the insect world, the unassuming Globe Skimmer dragonfly makes the longest migratory journey every year. Marine biologist and naturalist Charles Anderson curiously noted discrepancies in these insects’ populations while living and working in the Maldives. And he discovered their breeding behaviors corresponded directly with the changes in monsoon season. Because dragonflies require bodies of fresh water in order to proliferate — a scarcity on Andersons island home — these amazing specimens make a circuit around the Indian Ocean when mating season rolls around. They travel in swarms of millions, hovering around 2,000 meters above the water’s surface and crossing within the range of around 400 miles.

19. Susan Savage-Rumbaugh on apes: Susan Savage-Rumbaugh’s inquiries into the inner workings of bonobos — as with many involving primates — opens up scientists to a greater understanding of the human species. Many of the primates’ behaviors raise some incredible questions about the age-old nature versus nurture debate in the animal kingdom. And that includes human society, too. This lecture includes some astounding videos of bonobos raised amongst their homo sapiens sapiens cousins, showcasing some particularly provocative scenes of acculturation. But audiences are left to ponder the true tenets of the relationship, most especially the blurry lines between learned and instinctual behaviors.

20. Jane Goodall on what separates us from the apes: Biologists spend so much time finding common ground between humans and the primate brethren, mainstream audiences rarely get a chance to learn about the differences. Beyond amount of body hair, of course. Jane Goodall draws from her groundbreaking research to discuss the one major factor that lay between the two groups. Specifically, language. Humans possess a more sophisticated, nuanced vocalizations and a far broader range of communications. The ability to write ensures that ideologies expressed move further through both location and time, offering some degree of permanence over ethereal speech. And because of food preservatives and additives as well as medications, she claims that peoples’ bodies contain roughly 50 chemicals more than they did 50 years ago. Diseases such as asthma and cancer increase in numbers, especially in more polluted areas. Humanity needs to put its amazing vocal prowess to work fixing its own problems before they become too much to handle.

1. The Quill and the Sword, Brigham Young University: This club is perfect for the medievalist nerd who simply can’t get enough of wenches and sword fights through Renaissance fairs. In it, students spend time studying medieval history and even form their own mock guilds. Students meet up to have feasts, engage in swordplay and share their knowledge of the Dark Ages.
2. MIT Assassins Guild, MIT: Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to live like an assassin? This club at MIT gives students a chance to taste it, albeit in a much less bloody manner. Club organizers pull together a role-playing game whereby students can take on the role of an alien, witch, special ops soldier or pretty much anything else that comes to mind and try to assassinate one another on campus.
3. The Harvard Tiddlywinks Society, Harvard University: The age old game of tiddlywinks involves using a plastic disc to pop another little plastic disc into the air with the hopes that it will land in a cup or bowl. Students enjoy beverages, talk with one another and spend their time in this club playing this simple but potentially entertaining game.
4. Students for an Orwellian Society, Columbia University: While many college students out there enjoy the works of George Orwell, most are not actively involved in groups that promote the philosophies espoused within them. This group at Columbia is dedicated to promoting the idea of Big Brother, including eliminating individualism and free thought. While it’s unlikely that they group is serious in this goal, the it is still one that would puzzle friends and confuse employers on a resume.
5. Anarchist Society, Edinburgh University: Nothing says anarchy like creating an organization. Divisions of this club have come under fire at colleges around the nation and the world for their support of terrorist activities. This particular society avoids these crackdowns by focusing on reading anarchist literature, analyzing the ramifications of anarchy and working to dispel myths about the political philosophy.
6. The Carleton College Mustache Club, Carleton College: The only requirement of this club is that members must have a moustache. Strangely enough, this doesn’t eliminate women from joining, so long as they’re willing to shave their faces leaving hair only on the area above their lips. Silly as it may be, this club has a good purpose, working to raise money for a domestic abuse shelter.
7. Students Against Hippies in Trees, UC Berkeley: If you’re sick of seeing hippies up in trees, then this strange club may be for you. These anti-tree hugging students banded together to counter the protest of students who wanted to save old trees on campus from destruction. The club believes that the school is right in its choice to cut them down and wants to keep those tree-loving hippies from getting in the way.
8. Bigfoot Society, U Penn: These students have a passion for talking about, researching and even searching out new information on the elusive Bigfoot. Students in this club take a serious look at the anthropological, biogeographic and cultural significance of Bigfoot and its surrounding folklore.
9. Concrete Canoe, U of Wisconsin: Think concrete isn’t the best material to build a canoe out of? Well these students at the University of Wisconsin aim to prove you wrong. Composed of a number of engineering students, this group hopes to design and build a canoe made out of a cutting-edge concrete material light enough to float on water.
10. Rock-Paper-Scissors Club, U of Kentucky: You can battle it out with your fellow students down to the last man (or woman) in this competitive club. Students get together to throw rock, paper or scissors, study strategies for improving their play and learn ways to better incorporate the game into their everyday lives.
11. Fight Club, U of Florida: If you like to box, join this club that sets up matches between students.
12. Campus People Watchers, U of Minnesota: Claiming to be both non-profit and non-creepy, this group of students spends their time watching people on campus and in the community. Of course, the club is much more than that, and asks members to not only watch but to write commentary on the psychological and cultural phenomena that they witness. The group promises not only entertainment and "zaniness" but a chance to engage in an educational experience that is far from boring.
13. Princeton Mime Company, Princeton University: Who doesn’t love mimes? Oh, a lot of people? Well, that doesn’t stop this group from getting together and putting on mimed performances on campus. Truth be told, this company is fairly prestigious and offers acting and performing students the chance to practice their craft, even if they don’t dress up in stripes and paint their faces white.
14. Ichidan Live Theatre & Cosplay, Boise State University: Blend your passion for performance and love of anime, manga and Japanese culture with this on-campus organization. Students create costumes and put on live-action performances of popular anime films as well as going as a group to cosplay and anime conventions. It might be a very particular niche group, but even out in the Wild West this interesting aspect of Japanese culture gained a following from students of all different backgrounds.
15. Society for Explosives Engineers, U of Arizona: Students can have a blast by joining this professional club. They’ll get to work with professionals in the mining world to study the use of dynamite, something most wouldn’t think of letting college students do. Instead of having boring club meetings, students in this group get to learn how to blow things up and eventually do actually get to put their hands on some real explosives.
16. Quidditch Club, NYU: You would think that a sport that requires players to be able to fly wouldn’t be able to gain much of a following in the real world, but as it turns out, Quidditch is a club that has gained quite a bit of popularity on college campuses nationwide. In some places, like NYU, this club was denied official club status because it is halfway between a sport and regular club. Harvard, Yale and Boston University all have very active Quidditch clubs, which draws into question just what motivates the best minds in the nation to compete in a sport that, well, doesn’t really exist?
17. Association of Cigar and Finance Aficionados, U Penn: When most people think of college students they don’t imagine them enjoying cigars and discussing the finer points of the financial markets, but that’s just what these college students do. Rather than spending their time throwing around frisbees, these students get together to share an appreciation for stogies and stocks.
18. Club Kramerica, U of Illinois: Looking for a way to express your love for the long-running sitcom Seinfeld? This group at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana may have you covered. Students get together to watch the show, celebrate Festivus, play softball, enjoy fine Chinese Dining and more. Of course, the group isn’t all fun and games and spends time raising money and working on a stretch of road they’ve adopted.
19. Humans vs. Zombies, U of Florida: This club will let you experience the terror and apparent fun in a zombie apocalypse. Students choose a side and participate in role playing on campus, using Nerf guns and socks as weapons where humans do their best to escape being infected by the students acting as zombies. The group also promises to do its best to defend the school’s campus in the event a real zombie attack should occur.
20. The Kite Runner, U of Wisconsin: With a name inspired by the popular novel, this group works to promote the culture and entertainment that kite flying has to offer. Students in the group will assemble and fly their kites, an activity that can not only be relaxing but could also offer a challenge for engineering students on campus.

Over the past few years, more traditional colleges have expanded their programs to allow distance education students to take courses from home.  This has since increased to full for-profit online schools that offer many different degree programs to their students.  Federal funding has benefitted these programs drastically, as well-connected educators have relied on many Congressional Republicans who were sympathetic to their entrepreneurial ethic.  Previously before this bill, restrictions existed for federal funding to online courses, putting a cap on the funds that traditional schools could receive if they offered online courses.  As soon as Congress passed this bill promoting online education, online schools popped up around the country as they could now receive federal funding; furthermore, traditional schools began to offer more online classes.

The Bush administration lifted this restriction for online education as a way to reach out to nontraditional students who would otherwise be unable to earn a degree.  This was one of the best solutions to the educational system that Congress could make, considering that in a few years a recession would hit the country, causing a heightened demand for higher-level education.  Despite the mountainous debate that occurred in response to this bill regarding the quality of nonprofit traditional universities, the new online colleges proved their worth in only a few short months.  After the bill passed, online education took off as some of the current best online schools, such as University of Phoenix, sought to prove their worth to Congressmen around the country. 

The original 50 percent rule which restricted funds to online schools was only enacted in 1992 after investigations showed that some of the for-profit trade schools were little more than diploma mills which “harvested” federal student loans.  After many of these myths were dispelled from the online community, the industry has grown tremendously, as many online schools currently enroll more students than traditional schools.  With over 2,500 schools now offering federal student aid, students around the nation now have the opportunity to earn associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the best online schools.  Rural, military, and working students have been found to benefit the most from these changes in federal funding, as the nation has rushed to expand online higher education. 

While debate still ranges over the underlying motives of online schools, the success accounts from students have told a different story. 

The top 10 best online universities typically comprise the schools that are the most cost-efficient while still retaining a worthwhile degree program and accreditation.  Schools that are cost-efficient typically appeal the most to students who are currently working , have families, and simply cannot afford the high cost of attendance for most public and private traditional schools. Many online universities which are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council have managed to keep their costs low, sometimes running only $6700 for a 30-hour degree program.  Depending on what major you wish to attain from an online university, this may be a resourceful and economic way to save money (not to mention time).

Schools that feature and boast low costs are bound to be on top ten lists as they appeal to students around the country.  Furthermore, these schools offer the same quality education as schools that charge 50% more in cost! 

Additionally, the top online universities feature student-friendly programs; traditional schools do not need to worry about the hassle students must undergo to get in touch with a professor since they can simply go to their office hours.  Online universities, on the other hand, require more devoted professors who will be able to answer questions thoroughly through e-mail or phone calls, readily available to help students who may have different lifestyles than traditional students. 

Most online students have families and another career already, which makes it difficult to attend classes.  The fact that these students are making the time to complete their education or attain an additional degree is motivation enough for most professors to devote higher amounts of time after normal business-day hours to work with their students.  This caliber of professors helps boost rankings for many schools, since word-of-mouth by students is one of the best ways online schools are distinguished from each other. 

Attending a top ranking school not only helps your future career, but helps you understand that school does not have to be about attending the cheapest institution solely to bring in a higher paycheck.  You can find quality educational outlets that do not consume your savings and you can put these degrees to work within the career world.  Furthermore, just because a school costs less than others does not mean it has any less substance in its curriculum.  Attending one of the top 10 best universities will prove this to you and help establish that every other student who attended these schools had the same experiences you will.