Hands On Learning
Articles tagged with Hands On Learning
Safeguarding children in childcare: teacher confidence key to addressing trauma
A study by Adelaide University researchers found that teacher self-efficacy is critical in creating safe learning environments for young children experiencing trauma. Early years teachers play a vital role in supporting children's wellbeing and helping to break cycles of disadvantage.
From classroom to Mars: European students return from six-day analog space mission
Nine European high school students completed a six-day simulated Mars mission in Portugal, operating rovers and conducting scientific experiments. The EXPLORE-2 mission aimed to develop young Europeans' STEM skills and team management capabilities, with participants designing their own mission plans and making operational decisions.
UT San Antonio’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program climbs national rankings
The UT San Antonio School of Health Professions' Doctor of Physical Therapy program has climbed national rankings due to its five-decade commitment to excellence. The program's curriculum includes clinical affiliations, interprofessional collaborative care, and a selective rotation tailored to student interests.
Experienced therapists can give psychology students an extra boost
A new study from Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggests that observing experienced therapists can enhance psychology students' ability to talk with patients. Psychology students who observed therapists over 10 weeks improved their ability to form bonds and repair relationships with patients, according to the research.
NTU Singapore empowers students to thrive in the AI economy
NTU Singapore aims to integrate AI into 40% of its undergraduate courses by 2030. Half will use personalized learning, while the other half will teach students how to build and deploy AI agents. Students will have access to Google's premium AI tools and computing credits to create their own agents.
Augmented reality job coaching boosts performance by 79% for people with disabilities
A new study found that augmented reality job coaching significantly improves job performance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The AR-based application delivered real-time guidance, enabling participants to complete complex tasks with minimal external support. This innovative approach has the potential t...
Girls are happiest at school – for good reasons
A new survey reveals a significant difference between girls' and boys' well-being at school. Girls are found to be happier than boys due to stronger connections with their peers and feeling safe at school. In contrast, boys tend to score lower in academic subjects like reading and science but excel in physical education.
Badged up for success
Graduate students at MUSC are earning digital badges in science communications, highlighting their ability to explain complex scientific concepts to the public. This program is part of a larger shift towards providing graduate students with valuable skills that apply to multiple career paths in science.
Board games boost young kids’ math skills, UO research review shows
A meta-analysis of 18 studies found that playing linear number board games can meaningfully improve early math skills like counting, number recognition, and understanding quantity. Brief play sessions of 10 minutes or less have lasting benefits for young children's numeracy skills.
Helping the youngest children thrive at school
A study in Iceland found that adding more physical education and passion project classes to a school day improves young children's well-being, reading skills, and overall school experience. The researchers discovered that this holistic approach increases enjoyment and mastery of school subjects, leading to better academic performance.
Bold action needed to fix NHS clinical placement crisis
A new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute calls for a fundamental rethink of NHS clinical placement provision. The paper proposes practical interventions to make placements more effective and sustainable, including greater use of simulation and digital learning, new supervision frameworks, and community-based models.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute receives $1 million grant to expand workforce training for hydrogen jobs
The program aims to train 40 people over three years with a focus on experiential learning, offering hands-on training and internships in hydrogen safety, production, use, and infrastructure manufacturing. Students will gain theoretical knowledge about hydrogen while also getting industry experience.
The Lundquist Institute awarded $9 million to launch Community Center of Excellence for Regenerative Medicine
The Lundquist Institute has been awarded $9 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to establish a Community Center of Excellence for Regenerative Medicine. This center will expand access to cutting-edge regenerative therapies and create skilled healthcare professionals in underserved communities.
University of Houston study finds challenging outdoor fun boosts youth development
A new study from the University of Houston reveals that outdoor fun with a focus on challenge, novelty, and guidance can promote positive youth development. The 'Four Types of Fun' model offers a theoretical framework for understanding fun and its role in character building.
University of Houston awarded $1 million to study teacher certification pathways, outcomes
The University of Houston has received a $1 million grant to study teacher certification pathways and their impact on student outcomes in Texas. The project aims to provide new statewide data, research, and policy analysis to reduce the number of uncertified teachers in Texas classrooms.
Lehigh University helps Pennsylvania teachers meet STEELS Standards with launch of free computer science toolkit
The Lehigh K-12 Computer Science STEELS Toolkit provides flexible, free enrichment activities for elementary and secondary classrooms. The toolkit aligns with Pennsylvania's STEELS framework and aims to foster integrated literacy in science, technology, engineering, and sustainability.
$500 million fundraising goal surpassed by The University of Texas at San Antonio two years early
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has exceeded its $500 million fundraising goal through the Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future initiative. The campaign, which aimed to accelerate student success, advance research excellence, and expand community impact, garnered support from over 60,000 donors contributing over 200,000 gif...
Does being a proficient swimmer mean you are safe in the water?
Research reveals that children's swimming skills are significantly lower in natural environments compared to controlled settings. The study emphasizes the importance of adapting swimming instruction to account for environmental differences.
European high school students emerge from isolation after groundbreaking explore analog space exploration mission
Nine European high school students spent months in an isolated habitat simulating life on Mars, developing essential skills like problem-solving and collaboration. The EXPLORE project aims to inspire a passion for STEAM subjects and prepares the next generation for actual space missions.
New research on home care cooperatives identifies novel approaches for improving home care quality
Home care cooperatives have identified key drivers of improved care quality, including worker input, motivation, selective hiring, and high-quality training. These findings have the potential to significantly improve care quality across the home care sector.
Study finds teachers, students together can form own social constructions of thinking
A new study from the University of Kansas found that a classroom can work with a teacher to develop its own social construction of thinking. The framework of 'languaging' was used to facilitate students' engagement and connection with material, leading to a more dynamic construction of thinking practices.
Study finds unfair expectations place extra pressure on new teachers
A new study by QUT researchers reveals that 'classroom readiness' is a policy construct rather than a genuine assessment of teaching capability. Teaching performance assessments oversimplify the demands of diverse classroom settings and assume graduates can seamlessly transition into teaching with minimal guidance.
Study finds giving pre-service social studies teachers practice in teaching difficult topics boosts confidence
A new study from the University of Kansas found that providing pre-service teachers with a low-stakes setting to teach difficult topics, such as the Holocaust, improves their confidence. The research involved four novice educators who delivered lessons on the book 'Night' by Elie Wiesel in a mixed-reality simulated classroom.
SETI Institute launches ARISE Lab, bringing SETI and radio astronomy to community colleges
The SETI Institute has launched the ARISE Lab program, providing hands-on training for community college instructors and students in astronomy, digital signal processing, and radio science. The program combines real-time radio telescope data with experiential learning techniques to spark curiosity and build skills.
Young minds, big ideas: Florida’s first Invention Convention ignites innovation at USF
The inaugural event showcased over 150 K–12 student inventors presenting original solutions to real-world challenges. The convention, part of the Henry Ford Museum's Invention Convention Worldwide, provides a platform for imagination to meet impact.
Creativity and problem-solving: How design thinking transforms university teaching
A study at ESPOL found that Design Thinking fosters essential skills in a world of constant change, allowing students to build their own knowledge through experiential learning. The course has been shown to increase student motivation to apply DT in other contexts, with over 85% of students reporting this after the course.
NFL’s Buffalo Bills continue CPR education kicking off year 3 of the HeartBEAT initiative
The American Heart Association and Buffalo Bills are working together to bring Hands-Only CPR and AED training to community events and youth sports groups. This effort aims to double sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030, with over 200 CPR & First Aid in Youth Sports training kits distributed.
Creativity boosts NAPLAN literacy and numeracy scores
A University of South Australia study found that students who exhibit higher levels of creativity tend to excel in literacy and numeracy assessments. Higher flexibility in divergent thinking was associated with stronger NAPLAN literacy outcomes, while mathematical creativity was linked to stronger numeracy performance.
Problem-based learning helps students stay in school
Researchers at UniSA found problem-based learning improves engagement, creativity, and academic outcomes for disengaged high school students. The approach links learning to real-life challenges, empowering learners through project-based learning and service to their community.
NTU Singapore launches new program to nurture next generation of business leaders
The NBS Global Leaders programme offers a semester-long exchange at UC Berkeley, $10,000 final-year project funding, and internship opportunities locally and globally. Students will also receive structured mentorship, industry workshops, and coaching to develop leadership skills.
UTIA team wins grant to advance AI education and career preparation
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has won a four-year grant to create hands-on curriculum about AI-related technologies for future farmers and leaders. Selected students will test the curriculum in drones, robotics, and other smart agriculture technologies, gaining skills in coding, drone-work, and robotics.
University of Michigan School of Public Health and Washtenaw County Health Department launch Academic Health Department partnership
The partnership aims to enhance education, workforce development, and community health services through collaborative efforts. The initiative bridges academic knowledge with practical applications, offering significant benefits for students and the local public health workforce.
‘Part of the solution’: National Academies grant allows Rice to build the next generation of STEMM leaders in environmental justice
Rice University has received a nearly $500,000 grant to expand its environmental justice education program for high school students. The Houston Environmental Action Learning (HEAL) program aims to equip students and teachers with skills needed to address pressing environmental issues.
Professor awarded NEH grant to advance anthropology research collections at Texas A&M
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a Preservation Assistance Grant to Texas A&M University's Anthropology Research Collections. The grant will help protect and improve access to the university's anthropological and archaeological materials, while also providing new learning opportunities for graduate students.
WVU leading new center to bolster cybersecurity for businesses, train students
The Cyber-Resilience Resource Center will provide training and support to organizations across West Virginia, with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses. Over 200 students will gain real-world cybersecurity experience through the center.
New study explores how universities can improve student well-being
Researchers identified six guiding principles to improve student well-being, including Research Learning Experiences that foster peer relationships and a sense of belonging. These initiatives have shown significant improvement in students' self-identification as researchers and overall well-being.
Expanding Earth science education beyond traditional field trips
Non-traditional field trip locations, such as urban settings and Disney Resorts, offer accessible outdoor educational opportunities. These locations showcase cross sections of corals and reef debris, ancient Ordovician fossils, and outcrop analogs that provide valuable insights into modern reef systems and broader earth history.
Community college students conduct research at UTA
The University of Texas at Arlington is piloting a program that allows community college students from Dallas College's North Lake campus to participate in paid research opportunities with faculty mentors. Students receive $6,000 for their time and effort and have the chance to advance their STEM education and careers.
Bringing quantum tools to high school classrooms
A UTA-led program is equipping high school teachers and students with college-level quantum concepts to fill a growing talent gap in the $44 billion QIS technology market. The Quantum for All program aims to integrate quantum principles into national STEM standards, starting with Texas this fall.
AI education in Finland: Enhancing children’s understanding, critical thinking and creativity through collaborative designing of AI apps
A Finnish study found that teaching AI basics to 4th and 7th graders improved their understanding of the technology. The students designed and created AI apps, which helped them develop conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills. The program also explored the impact and ethics of AI on children's daily lives.
After graduating without lab experience, UConn RaMP scholars publish first-of-its kind scorpion genome
A team of UConn researchers, without lab experience, published the first chromosome-level genome of a desert hairy scorpion. The study sheds light on arachnid evolution and advances comparative genomics research.
Online professional education works for complex topics
UTA researchers found that sending material in advance and using Zoom features like chat, polling, and breakout rooms helped keep participants engaged. Short, relevant videos also proved effective in teaching complicated topics. The team recommends a structured approach with activities like icebreaker exercises to foster community enga...
Introducing New York Valves: The Structural Heart Summit
New York Valves: The Structural Heart Summit is a world-class educational experience for the field of structural heart interventions. The summit will showcase advanced techniques, evidence-based medicine, and live-case demonstrations, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to explore the newest techniques and technologies.
An international UC3M project develops a new educational credential system in Guatemala
A new educational credential system is being developed in Guatemala through an international UC3M project called ECOCredGT. Digital credentials are fundamental for re-training professionals and improving employability, as they allow knowledge and skills to be verified by potential employers.
How to build your own robot friend: Making AI education more accessible
The USC team created a low-cost, customizable learning kit for students to build their own 'robot friend' using the Blossom robot. The three-part module provides hands-on experience and instruction on various AI aspects, including robotics, machine learning, and software engineering.
Spaces to make-do and mend would bring new life into high streets, study says
A new study by the University of Exeter suggests that incorporating spaces for repairing and remaking clothes in shopping centers can promote sustainable fashion practices. Participants who took part in workshops reported engaging in more environmentally-oriented behaviors, such as buying fewer items and sourcing clothes ethically.
From snack to science: Innovative grant brings popcorn into the classroom
The project aims to develop a standardized Next Generation Science Storyline that can be delivered in any high school classroom, increasing science literacy and critical thinking among students. Pop-omics, a popcorn-based curriculum, will also provide hands-on lessons on machine learning and AI, connecting with the national AITC program.
WVU research reveals possible link between teen personalities, social media preferences and depressive symptoms
A West Virginia University study found that teens' personality traits and social media platform use are linked to depressive symptoms. Teens with higher levels of extraversion tend to experience fewer depressive symptoms on Instagram, while those with lower extraversion may be at risk for more severe symptoms.
Study from ECNU Review of Education redevelops framework for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics
A study redevelops a framework for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics to preschool children, providing five big ideas that can be grasped by young kids. The framework aims to prepare children to understand and use AI tools effectively, promoting healthy and responsible learning in the rapidly developing digital society.
Participants in school-based gardening and food programs benefit from lasting impacts on dietary behaviors
A new study found that participants in school-based gardening and food programs experience lasting impacts on their dietary behaviors, including increased enjoyment of fresh foods, confidence in making healthy decisions, and appreciation for the benefits of experiential education. The FRESHFARM FoodPrints program, which has been operat...
Re-calibrating the sail plan for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders in ocean sciences
A team of authors from the University of Hawaii at Manoa identifies gaps in programs aimed at increasing participation of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in ocean sciences. They highlight successful programs like the SOEST Maile Mentoring Bridge and The MEGA Lab, which prioritize culturally centered spaces and community involvem...
UTHealth Houston opens enrollment for lifestyle cooking program aimed at people with metabolic disease risk
The UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers a 12-month lifestyle program combining evidence-based nutrition education with culinary learning to support behavior change. Participants will attend in-person and virtual classes, including hands-on cooking lessons, physical activity guidance, and mindfulness education.
Riding the whims of the wind
Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.
Do extracurricular activities always give children a head start? Research says maybe not
A study by Dr Lixin Ren found that extracurricular activities have a limited impact on math skills in preschool children, with effects dependent on behavioral regulation and approaches to learning. For children with poor self-regulation skills, structured activities can improve early math skills.
STEM Career Days boost high school students’ career aspirations in STEM fields, MU study finds
A new MU study shows that high school students who attended college-run STEM Career Days were far more likely to have STEM-related career aspirations than those who did not attend. The study highlights the benefits of introducing high school students to STEM opportunities and can help increase diversity in the STEM workforce.
$1 million grant helping empower students to succeed in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’
The University of Missouri is using a $1 million grant to develop an Industry 4.0 lab, providing engineering students with hands-on learning experiences in the latest industrial revolution's technology-centered job market. The lab will integrate skills at a higher level and keep students at the state-of-the-art level for industry.
ACC Latin America 2023 highlights emerging trends, contemporary best practices in CV care
The conference will focus on optimizing patient care in the Latin America region, discussing strategies to improve heart health and address rising cardiovascular disease rates. Key topics include cardiac rehabilitation, heart failure management, and practical approaches for clinicians.
Rice U.’s Kaiyu Hang wins NSF CAREER Award
Hang aims to develop general-purpose robots that can handle complex physical interactions without requiring perfect input from sensors or extensive instructions. His project seeks to improve robotic manipulation tasks by reducing assumptions about how the robot acts in real-world conditions.
Discover the science behind plants at this Savannah event
Plant Science Saturday is a free event hosted by the American Society of Plant Biologists, offering interactive discovery stations on plant biology, ecology, and conservation. The event aims to inspire excitement and curiosity about plants among families in the Savannah area.