David Marks, who directs the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment, says:

Energy Efficiency

MIT experts are contributing ideas, inventions, and leadership to create a secure energy future.

Sheldon Pang learned a lot from Helen Peake, mostly that happiness comes from giving. Photo: Ed Quinn

Giving to Others

Sheldon Pang establishes a fund to say thanks to Helen Peake, who gave him a home away from home.

Jack Driscoll, editor-in-residence at MIT's Media Lab and former editor of the Boston Globe, is leading the charge to

Community Computing

Jack Driscoll, editor-in-residence at MIT’s Media Lab, is arming people with the digital tools to publish their passions.

Known to have a song in his heart, Prof. Tod Machover has developed Hyperscore, software that makes it possible for kids to compose music like Mozart. Hyperscore can be downloaded free from the Toy Symphony website. Photo: Ed Quinn

Toy Symphony

Prof. Tod Machover has invented software that makes it possible for kids to compose music like Mozart.

Prof. Peter Donaldson developed the MIT Shakespeare Electronic Archive, where students get online access to a wealth of performance materials dating back to the 17th century. Part of the archive is available at shea.mit.edu/ramparts/ Photo: Ed Quinn

Electronic Shakespeare

Literature Prof. Peter Donaldson has developed an online archive of prints and photographs that’s bringing Shakespeare to life.

American Square dancing is thriving at MIT, where dozens of young people are swinging their partners, do-si-do-ing, and circling left and right. The American folk dance is in decline among young people across the world, but the dance shows no signs of dying out on campus. In fact, in the past five years membership of the Tech Squares, MIT's 35-year-old square dancing club, is on the rise. (Inset) Cori Couture follows the calls at a recent dance. Photos: Ed Quinn

Square Dance

American square dancing is thriving at MIT, where dozens of young people are swinging their partners, do-si-do-ing, and circling left and right.

Prize-winning grad student James McLurkin built a swarm of robots that he hopes might one day patrol for landmines, rummage through earthquake rubble, or explore other planets. McLurkin, who once kept an ant farm on his desk, designed the robots to mimic the ants' behavior.

Nature’s Design

Doctoral student James McLurkin has designed a swarm of robots that might one day patrol for landmines and explore other planets.

Daniel Dock floats a dollar bill. Photo: Ed Quinn

Magic Touch

Junior Daniel Dock, who has practiced magic for 10 years, has 400 tricks up his sleeve.