Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Dance
January 29, 2021

A Brief History of Ballet From European Courts to Modern Dance

Every winter, millions flock to see The Nutcracker, perhaps the most famous ballet of all time. Ballet's beginnings actually began centuries before little Clara began capturing hearts as she flew through a world of sweets with her gallant nutcracker. While the oldest ballets performed today date from the 19th century, choreographed dances in a style known as ballet were actually performed in the Italian Renaissance.

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Science
January 20, 2021

Learn Genetics Quickly With This Simple (and Sweet) Gummy Bear Experiment

How did you eat gummy bears when you were a kid? As youngsters, many of us made Frankenstein-esque creations from different colors of the sweet treats. What was once a fun snack time activity can now be highly educational. Using gummy bears in a variety of colors, one can make colorful family trees illustrating how genetics are passed down from parents to children.

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Science
January 14, 2021

Scientists Have Discovered a New State of Matter: Liquid Glass

You probably know that there are three classically taught states of matter—liquids, solids, and gases. However, the properties of certain materials defy simplistic categorization. For decades, scientists have sought to answer why glass lacks the crystalline molecular structure common to most solid materials. A recent paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has made an important discovery which helps to explain this special property.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.