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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.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of School Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2023

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Science Education·TypeSurvey·DateNov 6, 2023
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

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.

SourceRice University·DateJul 25, 2023

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·DateJul 14, 2023

It takes a village: Study shows community is key to a sustained passion for science among adolescents

A yearlong science program with family members led to increased interest in STEM subjects and a lifelong engagement. Children who participated showed more enthusiasm for science and were more likely to envision themselves as scientists, while their families reported renewed interest in science at home.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalResearch in Science Education·DateJun 14, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

EU research program to increase shelf-life of berries

A €2.5million European research programme, FRIETS, is increasing the shelf-life of berries through high-precision agriculture and innovative processing methods while maintaining quality. The four-year project combines precision agriculture strategies with dehydration and edible coating methods to discover healthier food alternatives.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·TypeNews article·DateMay 15, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Ethnic minority parents want customized advice, research shows

A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that ethnic minority parents in Inner Mongolia prefer evidence-based knowledge on family education tailored to their local environment and culture. They sought information on how geographical features like the geomagnetic field influence children's growth and well-being.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2023

Designing affordable, sustainable high-altitude housing

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are designing a model home to address health challenges associated with living at high altitudes. The project combines local materials, state-of-the-art technology, and traditional Indigenous knowledge to create sustainable and accessible housing.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateFeb 22, 2023
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Teachers want support to embrace nature play in primary education

A new Australian study reveals that despite growing interest in nature-based learning, teachers need professional development to effectively integrate it into their teaching practices. The research found that seven out of ten teachers felt limited by their knowledge and confidence in using nature play areas to support curriculum goals.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study finds librarian-teacher co-teaching benefits students, teachers

A three-year study found that librarian-teacher co-teaching significantly facilitates learner-centered instruction, such as maker learning and inquiry learning, across all levels of schools. School librarians played a crucial role in making these individualized learning opportunities possible by using various instructional methods.

SourceUniversity of Illinois School of Information Sciences·DateJul 15, 2022

Adding AI to Museum exhibits increases learning, keeps kids engaged longer

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed AI-enhanced museum exhibits that increased learning and engagement for elementary school-aged children. The intelligent exhibits featured a virtual assistant, NoRilla, which interacted with visitors, asking questions and guiding them through scientific challenges.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of the Learning Sciences·DateApr 5, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Restricted internet access could be key to academic gains, says study

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that giving Malawi high school students limited internet access to quality online sources improved their English and biology scores. The intervention provided smartphones with restricted online access to Wikipedia, leading to significant gains among lower-achieving students.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Development Economics·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2022

Fewer than half of K-12 PE teachers use high-quality instruction with disabled students, study finds

A recent study from Oregon State University found that fewer than half of K-12 physical educators use high-quality instruction practices for students with disabilities. The majority of teachers were highly qualified, but lacked specific training in adaptive physical education, leading to many disabled students being excluded from PE cl...

SourceOregon State University·JournalAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2022

Physics outreach programs benefit students’ scientific identities, career prospects

A Texas A&M University study found that physics outreach programs have a positive effect on both students and their audiences, boosting confidence, skills, and career readiness in STEM fields. The programs provide experiential learning opportunities beyond classrooms, promoting deeper understanding and enhanced job prospects.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalPhysical Review Physics Education Research·TypeNews article·DateOct 12, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Active-learning approaches support more effective learning and development

Active learning approaches are gaining traction as a way to engage learners and deepen understanding through discussions, interactive technologies, and other strategies. Research shows that these approaches can lead to cognitive benefits, academic success, socioemotional support, better comprehension, and improved memory.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 30, 2021

New research shows learning is more effective when active

Research at Carnegie Mellon University shows active learning methods using interactive activities, discussions, feedback, and AI enhance academic performance compared to traditional lectures. Effective methods also provide emotional and social support for students.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·DateSep 30, 2021

Extra spacing can boost children’s reading speed

A new study from Anglia Ruskin University found that increasing space between letters can improve reading speed for both dyslexic and non-dyslexic children. Dyslexic children showed a 13% increase in reading speed, while non-dyslexic children saw a 5% improvement.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalResearch in Developmental Disabilities·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Impactful science teaching requires minimum five hours instruction weekly

A study by University of Vermont researcher Tammy Kolbe found that inquiry-based science teaching requires minimum five hours instruction weekly to use recommended learning practices. Only one-third of eighth-grade students receive at least 5 hours of science instruction each week.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalTeachers College Record The Voice of Scholarship in Education·DateDec 2, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Showing robots how to drive a car...in just a few easy lessons

USC researchers have developed a system that lets robots autonomously learn complicated tasks from a very small number of imperfect demonstrations. The system uses signal temporal logic to evaluate the quality of each demonstration, allowing robots to learn more intuitively and adapt to human preferences.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateNov 19, 2020

Video game experience, gender may improve VR learning

A new Cornell University study found that students with more video game experience learned better using VR than those with little experience, with males showing greater advantage. The study suggests that either prior video game experience or gender may impact the success of VR-based learning.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 25, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

How pipeline programs can increase diversity in dentistry

A pipeline program called Saturday Academy at NYU College of Dentistry has shown to increase interest in the health professions, particularly dentistry, among underrepresented high school students. The program exposes students to the field through instruction and hands-on learning, mentoring them through the college application process.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Dental Education·DateSep 10, 2019

Society of Neurological Surgeons hosts highly successful boot camp courses

A nationwide program by the Society of Neurological Surgeons has been shown to retain knowledge and skills acquired by PGY1 residents through hands-on learning. The program, which includes patient care and surgical simulations, has demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving residency experiences and patient outcomes.

SourceJournal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateApr 16, 2013
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

The challenges of learning to use new products

A new study found that massed learning, where consumers try products repeatedly, leads to a good mental model and increased willingness to pay. This approach is particularly effective for new products, as it determines how much they are used after purchase.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 21, 2010
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Flu pandemic in prison

A conference on prison pandemic preparedness in Georgia demonstrates effective training methods, including interactive approaches and experiential learning. The event fosters partnerships between correctional health and public health officials to enhance pandemic response capabilities.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Correctional Health Care·DateMay 5, 2009

National center created for Materials World Modules program

A national center for the Materials World Modules (MWM) program has been created at Northwestern University to expand educational efforts introducing materials science topics to students in grades 7-12. The program aims to spark interest in STEM fields by providing hands-on learning tools and real-world applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateOct 20, 2006

Wake Forest to expand teacher training in problem-based learning

The school will provide a comprehensive professional development program to expand problem-based learning into K-12 mathematics and science education. The program includes an intensive week-long institute for teachers, followed by bi-weekly sessions and material development.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateJul 15, 1999

Strengthening The Link Between Service And Science-Learning

The American Chemical Society presents a new paper linking science education with community service projects, aiming to improve student engagement and retention rates. Researchers found that hands-on scientific activities in the classroom increased students' interest in STEM fields.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 31, 1998
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Beyond MTV: Educating Problem-Solvers For The 21st Century

The University of Delaware is pioneering an effort to educate students as problem solvers through 21st-century challenges. Using problem-based learning methods, students tackle real-world problems and develop higher-order thinking skills such as evaluation and analysis.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateFeb 17, 1998

New Study Suggests E-Mail And The Internet Enhance Classroom Learning

A new study by Ohio University's Center for Teaching Excellence found that 40% of students reported improved learning in courses with e-mail and internet use. The study surveyed over 700 students in 13 classes, revealing that more students gain from electronic communication, becoming prepared for a tech-savvy world.

SourceOhio University·DateNov 5, 1996