Time to dust off the 3D printers
Key points: The era of COVID-19 brought about the largest boom in school makerspaces seen to date. Makerspaces have the ability to help students consider career pathways and interests they have never considered. Along with makerspaces, 3D printers also saw a boost, but after a while, what were students using them for? How are 3D […]
Lab-grown bat organs, next stop on the road to predicting pandemics
Bats are important animals that help maintain ecosystem balance and human well-being. They play key roles like pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and controlling insect populations. But of late they have become popular for a different reason: their unique ability to harbour viruses without succumbing to disease. SARS, MERS, Ebola, COVID-19 — some of the most […]
3 keys to making math engaging
Key points: One of the challenges to getting students engaged in math is the perception that it’s a subject where you sit at a desk and do 30 math problems alone. There are a number of ways to make math more collaborative and fun, including shifting the emphasis from procedures to discourse, embracing game-based learning, […]
How the diet shapes healthy ageing
The Mediterranean Diet, much lauded by health researchers as an ideal one, uses plant-based foods and avoids red meat. Representative image. | Photo Credit: Odiseo Castrejon/Unsplash Across the world, the population of older adults has increased over time. And over 80% of them suffer from at least one chronic health disorder. The U.S. Centre for […]
7 reasons to ditch recipe-style science labs
Key points: Elementary science lessons often follow a rigid, textbook-driven approach, with students passively following predetermined procedures and observing expected outcomes. This “cookbook recipe” teaching style not only stifles creativity, but it can also hinder critical thinking skill development. Plus, it can leave students feeling disconnected from the scientific process, because they’re really just following […]
Early STEM career awareness drives future success for students–and the economy
Key points: With career interests and aspirations forming as early as age 10, the middle grades are the ideal time to start making connections between students’ academic work and their future career paths. By introducing students to STEM careers and sparking interest in essential industries like manufacturing, programming, and engineering, state leaders and district administrators […]
Computer science education sees more investment, but access gaps linger
Key points: More policymakers are prioritizing computer science education, recognizing the vital role it and other STEM subjects plays in helping students develop workplace-ready skills, according to the 2024 State of Computer Science Education report. The annual report comes from Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance and offers a comprehensive analysis of […]
Using robots to teach creativity, collaboration, and self-confidence
Key points: Our students are growing into a world where they will find themselves sharing their space, work, and lives with more and more robots. More than a year ago I read an article about McDonald’s using robot arms to make french fries, so even a job as straightforward as fry cook will be performed […]
5 approaches that engage middle school students in STEM learning
Key points: Creating engaging STEM learning experiences in middle school is essential to spark curiosity, build foundational skills, and foster a love for STEM topics–and potentially encourage students to pursue STEM careers. Here are five strategies teachers can take to make STEM come alive in their classrooms. 1. Incorporate hands-on activities and experiments Hands-on activities […]
The Svedberg show – The Hindu
A path to pursue Born on August 30, 1884 at Flerang in the parish of Valbo near Gavle, Sweden, Theodor (The) Svedberg was the only child of Elias Svedberg and Augusta Alstermark. The fact that his father was a works manager at different ironworks in Sweden and Norway meant that the family lived at a […]