GIFTED YOUTH SPOTLIGHT

She's been in these Rising Tide pages since the beginning. This issue, we send her off right — with the story of how a gifted kid with a love of wildlife found exactly the path she was supposed to be on. Here's what she — and her mom — want every GY family to know.

We love featuring young writers in The Rising Tide — and at just 5 years old, Riaan K. is our youngest contributor yet. He recently visited Seattle's iconic Space Needle and came back with a full report. Spoiler: it was scary. But he was not scared. Read his full dispatch from 605 feet up.

Nine-year-old Elizabeth has been to Kennedy Space Center twice — once with her family, once on her fourth grade field trip — and she has thoughts. The bus tour is a must. The Shuttle Launch Experience is incredible. And the clam strips in Titusville on the way home? Also apparently worth mentioning. Elizabeth's full report is in.

Nine-year-old Sophia recently represented Isaac Newton in her school's Living Museum — and she came back with receipts. Did you know Newton loved the color crimson? That the apple definitely did not hit him on the head? That he invented calculus and then just... called it something else? Sophia's got the facts, and they're better than whatever you learned in school.

Luke & Matthew: Twin Eagle Scouts in Our Own Backyard

What Do Gifted Students Actually Think About Florida's Phone Ban?
Florida's House Bill 1105 banned phones for K-8 students and restricted usage during class for high schoolers, but now that the school year is almost over, how did it actually play out? Rising Tide youth contributor Aditya surveyed our own Youth Mensans to find out. The results might surprise you.

Ever heard of Mallorca? This Spanish island is Europe's best-kept secret — think fairy-tale castle hotels, winding mountain roads, hidden beaches, and charming villages frozen in time. Rising Tide contributor Elizabeth visited over spring break and brought back the whole story. From the cobblestone streets of Valldemossa to a secluded beach with a legendary snake-like road to get there — trust us, you'll want to read this one.

That Logo You've Seen a Thousand Times? It's Hiding Something.
From the secret number tucked inside the Baskin-Robbins "BR" to the arrow hiding in plain sight in the FedEx logo, brands are sneakier than you think. Youth contributor Aditya, 14, breaks down the clever design tricks companies use to hide messages in their logos. (And yes, our very own Palm Beach Mensa logo makes the list!)

Think crows are just... birds? Think again.
In her latest piece, 9-year-old Junior Journalist Sophia makes a pretty compelling case that crows might be the most underrated creatures on the planet — from the tools they craft (yes, craft) to the surprisingly complex social calls that hold their communities together. Plus: what does a crow's brain have in common with yours?

How do you get a cruise ship through a canal? One giant door at a time. In this month's Exploring with Elizabeth, our Deckside Navigator takes us along on her family's 12-day Panama Canal cruise — with a history lesson, rising water levels, and some seriously tight fits.

Did you know that 7 out of every 10 breaths you take are thanks to the ocean? In this month's Sophia's Story World, our Deckside Storyteller dives into why the ocean matters — from the tiny creatures making our oxygen to the seaweed in your sushi. Grab your goggles and read on!

Two countries. Endless discovery.

Elizabeth invites us along as she explores Austria and Switzerland—through the eyes of a curious traveler with a love for learning and adventure.

Your Brain Is Playing Tricks on You (and It Always Has)

You trust your brain to be logical, rational, and fair, but it quietly takes shortcuts every day. From optical illusions to hidden thinking patterns called cognitive biases, your mind is constantly shaping how you see the world without asking permission. In this article, Leanza explores why our brains do this, how common biases influence our decisions, and how learning to spot them can actually make us better thinkers, not slower ones.

Welcome to Venezuela! One Wonder at a Time

From towering “houses of the gods” to the tallest waterfall on Earth, Sophia takes readers on a whirlwind tour of Venezuela’s most extraordinary sights. Discover ancient flat-topped mountains, mysterious lightning storms that light up the sky nearly every night, and an ice cream parlor so bold it serves hundreds of flavors you never knew existed. This article is equal parts geography, culture, and wow-factor - seen through the eyes of someone who truly loves the place she’s sharing.

Join Elizabeth as she explores Iceland, from hiking through lava-covered hills and clouds to spotting puffins and discovering an epic European playground!

Aditya explores the striking differences between urban noise and the calming sounds of nature, examining how what we hear every day affects our stress levels, focus, and overall well-being.

Welcome back to Sophia’s Story World! This month, Sophia dives into three surprisingly cool insects - with fun facts, weird defenses, and a few delightfully gross surprises.

Think you know New York? One of our young writers takes you inside a hidden gem near Battery Park - Fraunces Tavern, the city’s oldest restaurant and the spot where George Washington said his famous farewell.

One of our teen writers opens up about college visits, early acceptances, and that moment when the future stops being hypothetical and starts feeling very, very real.

A deep dive into the evolutionary, psychological, and social reasons why humans engage in altruistic behavior and how YOU can give back to your community.

Think you know amphibians? Sophia’s here to introduce you to the axolotl: the always-underwater, regeneration-powered, “I’ll eat that” superstar of the animal world.

Young Mensan, Lucian, is making headlines again! 🌟 Recently honored with his school’s Character Award for kindness and leadership, he’s also inspiring young readers as the co-author (and star!) of the new children’s book Monsters Don’t Say Meep.

From stinky blooms to seed-slinging fruits and sky-high trees, Sophia takes us on a wild tour of some of nature’s coolest plants.

Our Young Mensans are up to amazing things — from musical performances to big academic leaps and adventures abroad! 🎻🌍

Ready to make a difference? Join us October 25th for our second beach cleanup with Sea Turtle Adventures! Together we’ll protect marine life, keep our beaches beautiful, and learn how to help our oceans every day.

Is the Bermuda Triangle really swallowing up ships and planes, or is there a simpler explanation? Our Junior Journalist Sophia dives into the mystery, separating wild theories from real science. Don’t miss her take!

From live animal encounters to volcano eruptions and even building a pinball machine, Spark! gave our youngest Mensans an unforgettable mix of science, creativity, and teamwork. Hayden summed it up best: “I liked everything about this year’s Spark!

From rainbow-colored buntings to blue-beaked ducks and pigeons with shimmering necks—Sophia takes us on a feathered adventure in this month’s Story World!

At just 16, Palm Beach Mensa Gifted Youth member Kasey is proving that talent, heart, and hustle make a powerful trio. This summer, she’s relaunching her virtual fundraiser Parkin-Song II—a heartfelt musical campaign supporting the Parkinson’s Foundation—and riding the high of placing 2nd in the world at ISEF for Translational Medical Science. From harmonies to healing, Kasey is showing the world how one teen’s vision can strike all the right chords.

Get ready to stomp through prehistoric times with the newest tale from Sophia's Story World! In her fifth fun-filled article, Junior Journalist Sophia (age 8!) takes us on a dinosaur adventure featuring earth-shaking giants like Sauroposeidon, sky-high stats from Argentinosaurus, nurturing facts about Maiasaura, and the surprisingly tiny-brained but massive Diplodocus.

Step into Sophia’s Story World for a mythological adventure! Meet the fire-breathing Chimera, the sky-lifting Titan Atlas, and Medusa—whose story is more tragic than terrifying. Whether you're into ancient monsters or epic heroes, this journey through mythology is packed with wild tales and unexpected twists.

A big round of applause to Lucian, whose incredible photo of baby alligator Munster - caught mid-snack with a fly in his mouth - captured both nature’s charm and perfect timing! Lucian will receive a LEGO 3-in-1 Tropical Ukulele set (a $30 value!), where creativity meets adventure! Whether it's strumming a tune, swimming with dolphins, or surfing the waves, the possibilities are as wild as his winning photo. Great job, Lucian!

Welcome to Sophia’s Story World—where science meets imagination! In this edition, we’re diving into the Periodic Table to explore three mighty metals: Titanium, Cobalt, and Nickel. From jet engines to vitamins to artificial limbs, these elements pack a powerful punch in both science and everyday life.

Get ready to explore the wild and wonderful world of plants! From spiky dragon fruits to dainty snowdrops and the sneaky strangler fig, this article dives into some of the coolest—and strangest—plants on Earth. Discover fun facts, weird names, and how some plants even battle other trees to survive!

Language isn’t just about grammar drills and vocab flashcards—it’s your passport to new cultures, ideas, and connections. From college apps to career boosts to actual brain gains (yes, bilingual brains are literally stronger), the benefits go way beyond class credits. Plus, don’t miss our favorite fast and fun ways to learn a language at the end. (Spoiler: Duolingo, music, and Netflix might be your new best friends.)

Think climate change is just about weather? Think again. From rising heat to vanishing species, this article explores how our changing climate is putting animals, plants, and even coral reefs at risk. Learn why pandas are running out of bamboo, sea turtles are mistaking plastic for food, and how coral reefs—yes, coral is an animal!—are struggling to survive. Dive in for surprising facts and real ways our planet is changing.

One teacher’s belief in a 9-year-old changed everything—even if it took me years to realize it. From Florida’s first Accelerated Math Plan to AP Calculus and Harvard courses, Mrs. Russell saw potential before I did. Eight years later, I finally got the chance to thank her.

At 17, volunteering at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary isn’t just about cleaning cages and prepping food—it’s about wrangling owls, training brown bears, and learning the real deal on Florida’s native wildlife. From hands-on animal care to founding a school club that champions conservation, this journey is turning a dream of zoology into a full-throttle mission. Ready to see what it takes to care for creatures big and small? Step inside a world where every day is an adventure—and no textbook can compete.