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Brain researchers are overwhelmed with data. Hackers can help...

There was a time when neuroscientists could only dream of having such a problem. Now the fantasy has come true, and they are struggling to solve it. Brilliant new exploratory devices are overwhelming the field with an avalanche of raw data about the nervous system's inner workings. The trouble is that even starting to make sense of this bonanza of information has become a superhuman challenge.

Just about every branch of science is facing a similar disruption. As laboratory-bench research migrates into the digital realm, programming is becoming an indispensable part of the process. At the same time, previously dependable sources of financial support are drying up...

"Throughout middle school and high school conducting lab experiments was my favorite part of every science class that I took. There was something about the hands-on aspect of science labs that always got me excited about learning."

We sat down with MIT Media Lab co-founder Nicholas Negroponte and current director Joi Ito to talk about some of the lab's biggest contributions.

For the last 30 years, the MIT Lab has been a breeding ground for technological progress that’s pushed the world into the future. Touchscreens, e-Ink, GPS, wearables—all of these technologies got their start at the Cambridge, Mass., lab, which is known for its cross-disciplinary approach to research. We sat down with Media Lab co-founder Nicholas Negroponte and current director Joi Ito to talk about some of the lab’s biggest contributions from the last three decades...

Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable organization focused on education and outreach to support youth development. We create and deliver unique learning programs and services that engage children, youth and educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Teachers are encouraged to use our science education resources to maximize the learning potential of the Smithsonian Science How? webcasts! This is a new and unique resource that taps the learning power of our curriculum while aligning with standards.

"There are six adventures in the series including the CSI adventure. Each of the adventures is appropriate for middle school or high school use. In each adventure students take on the role of scientist to solve a crime, conduct experiments, and learn about scientific methods and processes."

The best science infographics make data digestible, accessible and visually appealing, without skimping on the relevant facts. Some are for scientists, organizing massive amounts of data in a way that’s powerfully useful; while others are designed for a lay audience, illustrating complex concepts simply, like the science behind the Higgs Boson or evolution. It’s in this latter category that science infographics are making the most obvious widespread impact.

Here are five science infographics for non-scientists that will change the way you see the world.