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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.

Adulting is hard on the heart: Teen to young adulthood is a critical time to address risk

Many teenagers enter adulthood with significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and emerging adulthood is a key time to address these risks. Interventions such as health practices, lifestyle changes, and improved access to healthcare can help reduce the risk of developing future cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 26, 2025

Religious intolerance predicts science denial

Research suggests that high levels of religious intolerance are associated with a greater likelihood of rejecting scientific findings. Studies have shown that countries and counties with lower levels of religious diversity tend to have lower vaccination uptake and lower scores on standardized tests, such as the PISA.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateApr 30, 2024

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

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

High school students learn the basics of base editing to cure “GFP-itis”

Students participate in a genome-editing experiment to correct a mutation that causes 'GFP-itis', gaining hands-on experience with gene editing and understanding its therapeutic potential. The program aims to encourage critical thinking about the implications of germline genome editing and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe CRISPR Journal·TypeNews article·DateMay 4, 2023

Black girls benefit most when STEM teachers train up

A study by Rice University found that students in classes taught by STEM teachers who received professional development training were more likely to pursue STEM majors in college. Black female students showed the greatest increase, with nearly double the percentage of non-AMP! teachers.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of STEM Outreach·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 13, 2023

Clever COVID-19

MU researchers have identified specific mutations in the Omicron variant's spike protein that help it evade existing antibodies from vaccines or previous COVID-19 infections. These findings can inform developers of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, which may need to target different parts of the virus to produce effective outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 18, 2022

Studies examine effects of California's push for computer science education

New studies found that California's push for computer science education did not improve students' math or English language arts skills, but increased enrollments in humanities courses. Researchers also found racial and gender disparities among computer science students and teachers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEducational Administration Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 24, 2022

Study: Immigrant kids deliberately build STEM skills

US immigrant children major in STEM subjects more than their US-born peers, with 36% of immigrants from non-English speaking countries pursuing these fields. They take more math and science courses, earning 20% more credits in math-intensive courses, which leads to careers in STEM fields.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2019

Talking to children about STEM fields boosts test scores and career interest

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that parents who discuss the relevance of science and math with their high schoolers can increase math and science ACT scores by 12 percentage points. The research also showed that these students are more likely to pursue STEM careers and take additio...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2017

Thomas Jefferson is the first high school to subscribe to the Journal of Visualized Experiments

Thomas Jefferson High School has become the first high school to subscribe to JoVE, a video-based research journal. The school's advanced equipment and digital resources will help students learn complex experimental techniques more effectively. This partnership aims to inspire future scientists by exposing them to cutting-edge research...

SourceThe Journal of Visualized Experiments·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateOct 24, 2011