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Prior weight loss, history of bone stress injury, and eating behaviors associated with dietary supplement use in preadolescent endurance runners

A new study found that preadolescent endurance runners who experience weight loss, have a history of bone stress injury, or follow a vegetarian diet are more likely to use dietary supplements. The study discovered that supplement use was associated with lower food intake and energy deficiency.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 17, 2021

Income inequality can harm children’s achievement in maths – but not reading, 27-year study suggests

A 27-year study suggests that income inequality is linked to lower maths scores among US children, with even richer students experiencing negative effects. The study found that states with higher income gaps saw poorer maths results, while reading grades were not associated with income inequality. Policymakers may need to consider redu...

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalEducational Review·DateOct 5, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Girls ‘least likely’ to enjoy fitness tests, finds study

A study found that girls in secondary school are less motivated by traditional fitness tests, which often involve running and measuring heart and lung performance. To address this issue, experts recommend new teaching strategies and online interventions like exergames to promote healthy lifestyle habits.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalPhysical Education and Sport Pedagogy·TypeSurvey·DateAug 25, 2021

Study finds praising middle school students improves on-task behavior by up to 70%

Middle school teachers who praised students more often than reprimanding them saw a significant improvement in class-wide on-task behavior, with some classrooms experiencing improvements of up to 60-70%. The study also found that high-risk students benefited from increased praise, leading to improved grades and reduced behavioral issues.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Positive Behavior Interventions·DateAug 25, 2021

UC Davis C-STEM Center receives $2.4M grant to introduce African American girls to engineering and robotics

The UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education has received a $2.4 million grant to establish an initiative introducing Black/African American girls to engineering and robotics. The Ujima Girls in Robotics Leadership Project offers a free, hands-on program teaching girls middle and high school engineering and leadership.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateAug 20, 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.

Trees set sixth-graders up for success

A University of Illinois study suggests that tree cover around schools improves standardized test scores, regardless of student demographics or school resources. The study found that even small amounts of tree cover closer to the school made a significant difference.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalLandscape and Urban Planning·DateNov 9, 2020

Nearly all middle school teachers are highly stressed, MU study finds

Researchers found that 94% of middle school teachers experience high stress, with varying coping mechanisms. The study suggests reducing teaching burden is critical for improving student outcomes academically and behaviorally. School districts can provide initiatives and programs to promote mental health and reduce teacher stress.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of School Psychology·DateJan 27, 2020

Researchers develop program aimed at reducing dating violence among students

A new program, Me & You: Building Healthy Relationships, was effective in reducing dating violence perpetration and victimization among early middle school ethnic-minority students. The program uses a life skills decision-making model to teach youth better communication and problem-solving skills.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 30, 2019
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.

Young neuroscientist selected as IF/THEN Ambassador by AAAS

Lataisia C. Jones, a postdoctoral fellow at Children's National Hospital, has been selected as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador to serve as a STEM role model for middle school students. She will share her passion for research and science with young people near and far, inspiring them to pursue their own STEM dreams.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·DateSep 10, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Transitioning to middle school

A study found that an intervention increasing sense of social belonging reduced disciplinary incidents, failing grades and absences by 34%, 18% and 12%, respectively among middle-school students.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Study shows power of refocusing student stress in middle school transition

A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers finds that proactively addressing students' anxieties with reassuring classroom activities can lead to higher grades, better attendance, and fewer behavioral problems. The intervention boosts students' sense of belonging and reduces fears about fitting in.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Teens sleep longer, are more alert for homework when school starts later

Middle and high school students slept 31 minutes longer and felt less sleepy for homework after their school district changed to later start times. The study found significant benefits of delayed school start times on adolescent sleep duration, alertness, and academic engagement.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateJun 7, 2019
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.

Positive aspects of masculinity helps improve boys' attitudes toward relationship violence

A pilot program focusing on positive expressions of masculinity improved middle school boys' attitudes toward relationship violence, reducing beliefs that coercion and violence are acceptable. The 'Reducing Sexism and Violence Program - Middle School Program' also taught empathy, healthy relationships and bystander intervention skills.

SourceRutgers University·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateMay 21, 2019

Illinois researchers to implement, study STEM program for high school, middle schools

The University of Illinois is launching a 3-year program to improve diversity in STEM fields through targeted support for school counselors and year-round STEM experiences. The program aims to increase diversity among underrepresented groups, with partnerships from various organizations. By providing additional resources and support, t...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateMar 26, 2019

Meditation enhances social-emotional learning in middle school students

A new study found that middle school students practicing meditation as part of a Quiet Time program showed significant improvements in social-emotional competencies and psychological distress. The study demonstrated the value of such programs in enhancing social-emotional learning and mental health in middle school students.

SourceCenter for Wellness and Achievement in Education·JournalEducation·DateMar 19, 2019
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.

Kids connect with robot reading partners

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a robot named Minnie to serve as a reading buddy to middle school kids, resulting in increased excitement about books and attachment to the robot. The study showed that social learning through interaction with the robot improved comprehension and motivation for reading.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience Robotics·DateAug 22, 2018

Future tech leaders...start your engines!

Lehigh University, TE Connectivity, and Broughal Middle School collaborate to promote STEM education through a manufacturing course and annual expo. The program benefits students from both institutions, providing hands-on experience with engineering techniques and industry partnerships.

SourceLehigh University·DateMay 3, 2018

Web-based program may help address underage drinking

A new study found that a brief, web-based program is effective in delaying drinking initiation among female ninth-grade students. The program was more effective than traditional education when combined with personalized feedback.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Addictions & Offender Counseling·DateApr 5, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Personalized curriculum captures students' imagination, interest

Middle school students who used personalized DNA and genealogy learned as much as their peers who used case studies. The curriculum encouraged students to explore their personal histories and cultures, fostering engagement with science and promoting understanding of complex topics like race and genetics.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 17, 2018

Cooperative learning aids in preventing alcohol use in rural middle schools

A new study found that cooperative learning significantly reduced students' association with deviant peers and growth in alcohol use among middle schoolers. By increasing students' contacts with prosocial youths, cooperative learning helps interrupt the tendency for socially marginalized students to cluster into groups of deviant peers.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateDec 19, 2017

Culturally tailored obesity intervention a success for hispanic students

A UH-led research found that Hispanic middle school students who worked with high school health mentors, called compañeros, lost significantly more weight and kept it off longer. After six months, 80% of students with compañeros decreased or maintained their BMI, compared to 64% without.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·DateOct 17, 2017

Alkaline soil, sensible sensor

Researchers developed a portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (PXRF) device to measure calcium levels in soils. The device provides accurate data on 20 elements in 60 seconds, improving field assessments for soil scientists.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateAug 2, 2017
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Students of all races feel safer in ethnically diverse middle schools, UCLA study says

Middle school students from diverse backgrounds report feeling safer and less lonely in ethnically diverse classrooms. Researchers found that students in diverse schools showed more tolerance and less prejudice towards peers of other ethnicities. The study highlights the benefits of diversity on personal and social well-being.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalChild Development·DateJun 20, 2017

Students of all races & ethnicities benefit from ethnically diverse middle schools

A new study found that students in ethnically diverse middle schools report better self-reported well-being and views on race, particularly when exposed to different ethnic groups in their academic classes. The researchers emphasized the importance of class placement to reap the social benefits of school diversity.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJun 20, 2017
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.

Boys secure in their racial identity seek more diverse friendships

A University of Michigan study found that middle school boys who feel secure about their race are more likely to form diverse friendships. The researchers discovered that these boys tend to have more clarity about their ethnicity or race, which leads to greater friendship diversity.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalChild Development·DateMar 21, 2017

Youth financial literacy program receives financial boost

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's 'On My Own' financial literacy program has received a $75,000 grant from the SunTrust Foundation to expand its reach in Tennessee. The program aims to provide middle school and high school students with essential skills such as creating a budget, reading a paycheck, and understandi...

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateMar 16, 2017

Lemelson-MIT program announces 42 InvenTeam grantees

The Lemelson-MIT Program announced the award of 42 Junior Varsity (JV) InvenTeam grants to promote STEM education among middle and high school students. The initiative provides invention-based activity guides, professional development, and hands-on materials to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning.

SourceLemelson-MIT Program·DateFeb 22, 2017
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Sexual harassment common among middle school children, study finds

A recent study by University of Illinois researcher Dorothy L. Espelage found that nearly half of middle school students reported experiencing verbal sexual harassment, with 43% saying they were targeted in the past year. The study also revealed that students who dismissed their experiences with sexual harassment were more likely to pe...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateDec 9, 2016

Tests show BioEYES increases science understanding and positive attitudes

A five-year study found BioEYES significantly improves elementary, middle school, and high school students' science knowledge and positive attitudes towards science. The program increased students' ability to imagine themselves as scientists, with the greatest effect on attitude changes among younger students.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 10, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Do teachers' climate change beliefs influence students?

A North Carolina State University study found that teachers' beliefs about climate change affect students' perceptions, with 92% of students mirroring their teacher's belief in global warming. However, students diverge from their teachers when it comes to understanding the human causes of climate change.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 7, 2016

Successful mentoring programs begin with focus, training

A University of Houston study found that 'intentionally brief' middle school mentoring programs increased math and English grades, as well as life satisfaction and reduced absences. The program provided mentor training and utilized social science theories to support student outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdvances in School Mental Health Promotion·DateMar 17, 2016

Moms, you think babies are tough? Wait until middle school

A study by Arizona State University researchers found that middle school years are a challenging time for mothers, with increased stress and depression. The authors suggest two interventions to minimize mother's stress: early information dissemination and ongoing support.

SourceArizona State University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJan 21, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Students with influence over peers reduce school bullying by 30 percent

Researchers found that students who are socially influential can shape their peers' behaviors and social norms, leading to a 30% reduction in student conflict reports. The Roots program, which engages these student influencers in spreading anti-conflict messages, is a promising solution to curb school bullying.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

Middle schoolers may benefit academically from extracurricular activities

A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that participating in extracurricular activities can be protective for low-income youth academically. Community engagement and sports were the most highly associated with better academic performance, while school-based activities had little effect.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateOct 22, 2015

Study: 'Guilting' teens into exercise won't increase activity

A new study by University of Georgia researchers found that middle-schoolers who feel pressured into exercising are less likely to engage in physical activity. The study suggests that children are more likely to identify with exercise when they feel in control of their choices.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateSep 2, 2015

Researchers find Massachusetts schools are improving food options

Researchers found that Massachusetts school food regulations led to significant improvements in competitive foods and beverages, with middle school compliance rising from 13% to 69% and high school compliance increasing from 28% to 80%. The study suggests that states can successfully implement similar standards nationwide.

SourceNortheastern University·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJul 22, 2015

Study shows cognitive training can improve brain performance of students in poverty

A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that cognitive training can improve the brain performance of middle school students from poverty-stricken backgrounds. The program, called SMART, resulted in a 25% increase in gist reasoning and an 18% improvement in fact retention among students who received the training.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateDec 9, 2014
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.

Two studies, 2 editorials put focus on school breakfasts, lunches

Two studies published in JAMA Pediatrics examine the impact of school breakfast programs on children's eating habits and academic performance. One study found that schools offering Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) had higher participation in the national school breakfast program and attendance, but no differences in math or reading ach...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 24, 2014

Small fraction of students attended schools with USDA nutrition components

According to a study, schools with all five USDA nutritional components were attended by only 1.8% and 0.3% of middle and high school students. The study found that having fruits or vegetables available, absence of higher-fat milk, and three or more standard components were associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 17, 2014

Cyberbullying increases as students age

A recent study published in School Psychology Quarterly found that cyberbullying increases with age, especially during transitions from elementary to middle school. The research highlights the importance of targeted interventions to address gender- and culturally sensitive bullying prevention strategies.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSchool Psychology Quarterly·DateSep 10, 2014

It's Your Game ... Keep It Real reduces dating violence among minority youth

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that It's Your Game…Keep it Real significantly reduced dating violence behaviors among minority youth. The program delayed sexual behavior and promoted healthy relationships, resulting in lower rates of physical and emotional victimization and perpetration.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 10, 2014
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.

Violence intervention program effective in Vanderbilt pilot study

A targeted violence intervention program was found to reduce violent behavior and increase competencies to deal with violence among middle school students. The program showed a significant decrease in violent behavior and victimization rates, with students reporting 'never' getting beaten up or threatened with a gun.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Injury and Violence Research·DateApr 9, 2014

Most students exposed to school-based food commercialism

A study by Yvonne Terry-McElrath and colleagues found that most elementary, middle, and high school students are exposed to food commercialism at school. The percentage of schools with exclusive beverage contracts decreased from 2007 to 2012, but fast food remained available in many schools.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJan 13, 2014

How peers influence teens' interest in studying math and science

Psychology researcher Nilanjana Dasgupta aims to identify solutions to the 'leaky pipeline' issue, where women and minorities lose interest in STEM subjects. The study explores classroom dynamics and peer relationships to enhance STEM teaching practices and attract more girls and students of color.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateSep 24, 2013
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Solar and lithium ion car race winners announced

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosted a car competition for 97 Colorado schools, with teams racing solar and lithium ion powered vehicles designed and built by students. The 'Sweet and Sassy' team from Woodlands Academy took top honors in the solar design category.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·DateMay 21, 2013

Middle-schoolers discover novel chemical bond

Four talented Dedham students from Maine's Aspirnaut science-outreach program have made a groundbreaking discovery about a novel chemical bond in animal tissues. This bond is essential for the genesis of animal tissues and has been found to be present in another lineage of multicellular organisms, highlighting its evolutionary importance.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateApr 20, 2013