Articles by Jo Foster

British inventor Alexander Parkes is famed for creating synthetic plastic - one of the most commonly used materials in the modern world. So, how did he discover this material, and did his invention bring him success? © Wellcome Images / CC BY 4.0 Early life Alexander Parkes was born in Birmingham in 1813. His father worked as a brass lock manufacturer, so Alexander was introduced t...

Veteran broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough is to present a new BBC nature series at the age of 92. The natural history show, One Planet: Seven Worlds, will explore how the continents shaped their unique animal life. He is also signing up to Netflix to narrate a new programme called Our Planet, in liaison with James Honeyborne, the creator of Blue Planet II. The eight-part Netf...

A new environmental initiative has been launched in the UK to stem the rising tide of plastic waste that is damaging the environment. A scheme called reverse recycling for plastic bottles is sweeping the UK, after being backed by a number of major companies. Businesses such as soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola, retail giants the Co-op and Morrisons, and theme park owner Merlin Entertainment...

Spring is in the air, and outdoor activities are about to become more popular as the warmer weather ensues. For one much-loved cartoon character, there couldn't be a better time of year. Yogi Bear and his love of "pic-a-nics" is legendary - and the wily, food-obsessed bear will do everything in his power to rob any hapless visitors of their picnic basket. Famous for adding an extra syllab...

Ongoing concerns about the environmental damage caused by carelessly-discarded plastic have led to scientists and researchers trying to create a viable alternative. Plastic is a wonderful material in many ways - it's strong, easy to shape and cheap to produce. However, 322 million tonnes of plastic are being produced every year - equating to 44 kilos of plastic for every person on earth. ...

The wreck of a World War II aircraft carrier has been found on the ocean bed after 77 years - thanks to the wonders of modern technology. The legendary American vessel, the USS Hornet, was on active service during the war when she was sunk during a battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy. She sank to a depth of more than 17,000 feet during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, with the loss o...

The most well-known street artist in the world, Banksy, has never revealed his true identity - yet his artwork has sold for up to $1.87 million at auction. He's been called "the world's most famous vandal", after starting out as a graffiti artist in Bristol in 1990, as one of the DryBreadZ Crew - part of a larger underground scene. He chose the pseudonym, Banksy, to avoid being identified, a...

What better way to impress your loved one on Valentine's Day than to rustle up something special in the kitchen? Taking the time to cook your significant other a tasty treat will show them how much you care! If you're not feeling very confident, take a look at some of the Valentine's concoctions by legendary TV chef Mary Berry. Easy to follow, they don't take too long to prepare and they loo...

Thanks to a new challenge issued by the government, schools are to be made single-use plastic-free by 2022. The bid to persuade schools to cut down on plastic waste is part of the 25 Year Environment Plan (called A Green Future) drawn up by the UK government in response to fears for the future of our planet. The 25-year environmental blueprint was released in 2018, with the latest aspect, ta...

The many wonders of the Mexican coral reef have turned it into one of the top diving spots in the world. The healthy coral reef at Quintana Roo (the home of popular visitor destinations such as Tulum and Cancun) is a valuable asset to the coastal community, attracting a $10 billion tourism industry. © Song Heming / Adobe Stock With the Mexican coral reef being home to a multitude of c...