Science Education

AI-enhanced project-based learning bridges STEM educational gaps in Africa

Prof Liu Bin named fellow of the National Academy of Inventors

Rice University students turn classroom project into publishable breakthrough in aerospace composites

Shaping the future of learning with AI and digital technologies

The new ALI master's program combines psychology, computer science, and education to prepare students for the intersection of AI, digital technologies, and education. Graduates will have broad career prospects in e-learning, instructional design, and AI-driven product development.

Study finds benefits in being older college student while working

A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that older college students who work full-time while studying tend to have higher graduation rates and better retention. The research, which analyzed over 7,000 post-traditional students, found that being older and working full-time positively predicted six-year graduation rates, while ...

JMIR news: Is AI creating a monoculture in scientific knowledge?

The article warns that AI's rapid integration may stifle scientific creativity and innovation, diverting resources away from solving fundamental problems. Dr. Shim argues for preserving human-centered pathways for knowledge generation to ensure diverse thought necessary for breakthroughs.

Informal educators get a powerful new way to speak their mind and boost their skills

A free self-efficacy survey has been developed for informal science educators, aiming to fill the gap in evaluation systems that leave them struggling to improve. The survey assesses pedagogical success using widely used measurements and provides a way for educators to identify areas needing support.

Physics can be hard. Mindfulness may help.

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training can help students build resilience in the face of emotional threats, leading to increased engagement in college physics. After five days of training, students reported feeling less threatened and more motivated to learn.

Florida’s young innovators gather at USF for statewide invention convention

The University of South Florida hosted the second annual Invention Convention Florida, featuring K-12 student inventors who showcased their original solutions and competed for national advancement. Top honors were awarded across grade-level categories, recognizing students for their creativity, impact, and problem-solving.

Substantial amount of medical information provided by popular chatbots inaccurate and incomplete

A recent study found that 5 popular chatbots provided inaccurate and incomplete medical information, with half of the answers being 'somewhat' or 'highly' problematic. The researchers urge for public education and oversight to avoid amplifying misinformation.

‘Marie Neurath exhibition celebrates designer’s global impact’

Marie Neurath pioneered infographics in children's books from 1944 to 1971, revolutionizing science education. The exhibition showcases her collaboration with scientists and illustrators, featuring over 80 illustrated books.

INSPIRE Second Conference Inclusive Gender Equality in R&I from an intersectional perspective: Lessons from INSPIRE for the evidence base, practice and policy

The INSPIRE Conference will discuss key project findings, tools, and resources on inclusive gender equality in research and innovation. The event aims to sustain change and address future challenges through dialogue among policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders.

Legacy Investment boosts mental health education at University of Houston

The University of Houston is strengthening its behavioral health programs with a $1.6 million gift from IntraCare North Hospital, supporting social work and nursing scholarships. This investment addresses Texas' critical shortage of mental health professionals, enabling the next generation of experts to serve communities in need.

FAU-collaborative NSF study: Stem teacher pipeline shows resilience amid challenges

A landmark study highlights the stability of STEM teacher qualifications and turnover rates in high-need schools, with some improvement in credential alignment. However, gaps in subject-specific qualifications remain, and compensation structures are insufficient to address financial pressures.

Swansea University part of major £65.6 million UKRI investment to train next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists

Swansea University is part of a major £65.6 million UKRI investment to train the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists. The DRIVERS programme will equip future nuclear professionals with advanced technical, interdisciplinary, and digital skills.

Hefei Botanical Garden: A model for biodiversity conservation, resource utilization and public education in urban areas

The Hefei Botanical Garden is a key institution for biodiversity research in East China, with over 5000 plant species preserved, including rare and endangered species. The garden promotes sustainable resource utilization, ecological education, and rural revitalization through its 'Botanical Garden + Agriculture' model.

ROE brings evidence-based narratives of China’s education to a global audience

As a leading international journal, ROE publishes research-driven articles on China's governance reforms, curriculum modernization, and teacher development. The journal's influence is reflected in its high JCR Impact Factor and CiteScore, as well as policy citations by organizations such as the OECD and UNESCO.

3.67 million year old fossil, Little Foot, gets a virtual facelift

A digital reconstruction of Little Foot's face reveals surprising similarities with Ethiopian fossils, challenging previous assumptions about early human evolution. The study sheds light on the diversity of fossil hominin faces across Africa and highlights the importance of the face in understanding primate adaptation and interaction.

NUS launches Singapore’s first concurrent nursing-informatics degree to build a digitally ready nursing workforce

The new Concurrent Degree Programme combines Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics), equipping nurses with strong capabilities in clinical practice and informatics. Graduates will confidently use complex digital systems and apply insights in real-time to deliver high-quality patient care.

Why letting museum visitors smell horse manure might be good for conservation

A new study from Nagoya University and Gifu University found that multisensory museum experiences can engage visitors with culturally significant heritage. By incorporating sensory elements like smell and touch, visitors can form personal connections to the artifacts, leading to deeper engagement and conservation efforts.

36 months later: Distance learning in the wake of COVID-19

After the pandemic, most museums continued offering online programs, with a focus on school programs for K-12 students. The shift was driven by partnerships between museums and public schools in need of digital content.

Annual Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship awarded to Lucciana Mikaela Cáceres Holgado

Lucciana Mikaela Cáceres Holgado, a University of Kansas physics and astronomy double major, has been awarded the second annual Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship for her exoplanet research and community involvement. The $15,000 scholarship supports her graduate research in environmental sciences.

Advancing coastal restoration across Europe, the REST-COAST project highlights results on-the-ground during its final meeting

The REST-COAST project presented scientific advances, practical tools, and governance insights developed throughout its lifetime. Researchers explored pathways for upscaling from site-specific demonstrations to broadly adaptable frameworks, linking high-resolution modelling with broader decision-support tools.

Announcement of the 4th Annual Symposium of Project CHANGE

The 4th annual symposium of Project CHANGE will focus on addressing Japan's future healthcare workforce shortage, particularly the nursing shortage, through collaboration with engineering. The event will feature a keynote speech by Prof. Sei-Kwang Hahn and presentations on nursing engineering.

The REST-COAST project launches “My REST-COAST” Mobile App to engage citizens in coastal ecosystem restoration across Europe

The REST-COAST project has developed a mobile app, My REST-COAST, to raise public awareness and engagement in coastal ecosystem restoration across Europe and Israel. The app provides interactive maps, site-specific biodiversity information, and gamified learning paths to encourage users to explore restoration strategies.

“The Journey to End Cancer: From Cause to Cure” exhibition launches national tour with MD Anderson as presenting sponsor

UH College of Pharmacy expands degree plans to offer doctorate and master of science in population health & pharmacoepidemiology

The UH College of Pharmacy is expanding its graduate program to offer a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science in Population Health & Pharmacoepidemiology, addressing a growing demand for training in evaluating medication safety and effectiveness.

SLAS receives grant from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to develop lab automation educational guidelines

The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has developed a comprehensive framework to educate scientists on laboratory automation, addressing the growing gap between technology adoption and training pathways. The project aims to create shared standards for automation education, expanding access to training across instit...

Dinosaur exhibition in Aira City draws 11,580 visitors, closes successfully

The 'Wakuwaku Aira Dinosaur Museum Exhibition' drew 11,580 visitors to Aira Square in Aira City. The exhibition featured a reconstructed tyrannosaurid skeleton and recreated excavation site from Mongolia, as well as hands-on learning opportunities for children.

SwRI scientist uses anime for STEM outreach

A new study by SwRI's Roman G. Gomez details the effectiveness of using popular culture, such as anime, to teach science and technology concepts. The study found that 67% of attendees reported increased accessibility and interest in STEM after participating in

The Great Bear Rainforest nature writing retreat

Aspiring nature writers will participate in a unique workshop and ecotour in the remote Smith Inlet, led by Lesley Evans Ogden. The program offers daily writing coaching and feedback sessions, with optional one-on-one coaching, and includes accommodations, meals, and wildlife tours.

Chinese mainland rapidly expands presence in global digital education research

A new study reveals significant global growth in digital education research from 2018 to 2023, with the Chinese mainland's academic influence growing rapidly. The study attributes this momentum to strategic policy support, robust infrastructure, and international collaboration.

When is it time to jump? The boiling frog problem of AI use in physics education

Generative AI is increasingly used in classrooms, raising concerns about its impact on student learning. Researcher Gerd Kortemeyer explores the benefits and drawbacks of AI in physics education, suggesting that it can be a helpful tool when integrated into teaching methods that focus on critical thinking and collaboration.

$7M gift supports health research, engineering and athletics at UT San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a $7 million gift commitment from Ed and Linda Whitacre to advance research, student success, and athletics. The gift will fuel groundbreaking discovery in metabolic health and strengthen the institution's role in improving health outcomes for South Texans.

University of Houston expands addiction research with $2.67M gift to help combat national opioid epidemic

A $2.67 million gift from the estate of Dr. William A. Gibson will establish the Michael Conner Gibson Endowed Professorship in Psychology and the Michael Conner Gibson Research Endowment, accelerating UH's addiction research program.

Pennington Biomedical makes history with first-ever International Symposium in Riyadh

Pennington Biomedical Research Center launched its first international scientific symposium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, exceeding expectations with distinguished audience engagement and new institutional contacts.

East China Normal University team unveils “Chinese approach” to STEM education framework

A newly proposed Chinese-style STEM approach emphasizes engineering-based learning, hands-on practice, and digital empowerment while integrating cultural values and national priorities. The framework aims to create coherent and authentic STEM learning experiences for students across China.

DTU once again on top as Europe’s best technical university

DTU ranks first on EngiRank for the third consecutive year, expanding its list to include more European countries. The university is recognized for its research, innovation, internationalization, interdisciplinarity, and commitment to sustainable development.

Swansea University professor wins SEMI Academia Impact Award for European semiconductor leadership

Professor Owen Guy has received the SEMI Academia Impact Award for his outstanding contributions to semiconductor research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration in Europe. He is Director of Swansea University's Centre for Nanohealth and a member of its Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials.

American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and ASN Foundation announces new scholarship program for students in nutrition programs

The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and ASN Foundation announce a new scholarship program for graduate students in Academic Nutrition Departments and Programs. This initiative provides complimentary ASN memberships to support student-to-professional pipelines and remove financial barriers to early-career development.

Pennington Biomedical appoints Dr. Corby Martin as the associate executive director for scientific education

Dr. Corby Martin has been appointed as the Associate Executive Director for Scientific Education at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. He will provide leadership for key programs such as the T32 Postdoctoral Training Program, the Pennington Scientific Symposium and the Bray Obesity Symposium.

Life in Space: A Beginner’s Guide to Life in the Universe

Life in Space bridges astrophysics and biology to explore conditions for life on Earth and beyond. The book offers a comprehensive view of astrobiology, tracing how astronomical and biological forces intersect to create and sustain life.

AI can deliver personalized learning at scale, study shows

A Dartmouth study finds that AI-powered chatbots can deliver personalized learning to large numbers of students. The researchers created an AI teaching assistant called NeuroBot TA that provides around-the-clock individualized support for students, which they found to be more trusted than general chatbots.

Optional learning support fosters self-directed learning

A study at the University of Cologne found that optional support is mainly used by students who need it most, making it a potentially effective tool for individualized support. However, relying solely on this type of support is not enough to address initial differences in prior knowledge.

Meggers Project Award granted to PhET Interactive Simulations

The American Institute of Physics has awarded PhET Interactive Simulations a $25,000 grant to develop a professional learning course and community for high school physics teachers. The award aims to improve physics education in the US by raising interest and boosting quality.

JMIR Medical Education invites submissions on bias, diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in medical education

The journal aims to address disparities and inequities in healthcare through research on bias, gender, ethnicity, and intersectionality in medical curricula. Submissions are encouraged to explore strategies for enhancing professional competence, teaching bias awareness, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

2025 Cmolik–SFU grant program awards $150,000 to innovative projects in BC schools

The 2025 Cmolik–SFU Grant Program awards $150,000 to BC public schools for innovative tech-based STEAM projects. The program aims to build critical thinking skills and foster curiosity among students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Pennington Biomedical awarded renewal of NIH-funded Center to Advance Metabolic Disease Research and train future scientists

The National Institutes of Health has renewed Pennington Biomedical's Metabolic Basis of Disease Center for five years, providing $2.2M per year to support research on the mechanisms of metabolic health. The center aims to address the obesity epidemic and its related illnesses.

Damon Runyon announces newest class of SPARK Scholars

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named the newest cohort of SPARK Scholars, providing post-baccalaureate scholars with research training, mentors, and networking opportunities. The program's recipients will conduct cancer research in top institutions and present their findings at the annual Damon Runyon Fellows' Retreat.

Pennington Biomedical hosts NIDDK Clinical Methods for Nutrition & Obesity research course for postdoctoral fellows

The four-day training program equipped postdoctoral fellows with state-of-the-art methods for clinical research in obesity, metabolism and nutrition. Participants deepened their skills in gold-standard methodologies crucial for advancing clinical and translational research.

Increasing pressures for conformity de-skilling and demotivating teachers, study warns

A new study finds that pressure on teachers to follow strict curriculum policies is reducing their autonomy and motivation, as well as their ability to design engaging lessons. The research highlights the need for schools to trust teachers' professional judgment and provide them with the freedom to innovate.

Collaborative AI passes U.S. medical exams

A council of five AI models trained to deliberate together achieved higher accuracy on medical licensing exams than any single chatbot alone. This collaborative approach showed promise for improving the reliability and trustworthiness of AI tools in healthcare.

Gairdner Foundation award winners share top health research with young readers in Frontiers for Young Minds

The 2025 Canada Gairdner Awards winners have published a new volume of articles in Frontiers for Young Minds, sharing their breakthrough science on topics such as cancer and childhood malnutrition. The articles are peer-reviewed by FYM's community of young reviewers and aim to empower kids to see themselves as future innovators.

Cambridge scientist uncovers cunning way to double the sales of the famous Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll – and in an open letter, shares the technique with key people at Greggs

A new strategy to increase low-emission food consumption has been found effective in controlled choice experiments with 3,000 participants. The 'nudge by proxy' approach highlights consumer motivations rather than environmental impacts, significantly outperforming traditional carbon footprint labelling.

KU scholars outline 'death and rebirth of research in education in the age of AI'

Education researchers at KU identify seven key problems in the field, including reviewer burnout and overgeneralizing. They propose transforming research by considering ethical, equitable, and sociotechnical inquiry and democratizing research through student involvement.

ChatGPT “thought on the fly” when put through Ancient Greek maths puzzle

A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, improvised solutions to a 2,400-year-old mathematical challenge. The bot made mistakes and adapted its approach based on user input, demonstrating a 'learner-like' behavior.

Pennington Biomedical invites health care providers to childhood obesity conference “Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy,” Oct. 2-3

The 2025 Childhood Obesity Conference, hosted by Pennington Biomedical's Greaux Health initiative, aims to educate healthcare providers and promote healthier futures for Louisiana's children through cutting-edge research and evidence-based strategies. Participants can earn up to 7.5 CMEs and gain practical tools to support healthier fu...

Uncovering language learning strategies for Japanese university students in STEM

Researchers developed a new tool to measure language learning strategies of Japanese university STEM students. The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning-STEM (SILL-JP/STEM) assesses six categories of learning strategies, revealing insights into students' behaviors, including underutilized affective strategies.

Shake It Off – Scientists harness Taylor Swift concert to measure seismic activity and boost science engagement

Researchers used a Taylor Swift concert as a unique opportunity to study seismic activity and engage the public in science. The 'SwiftQuake' was detected more than 100km away from the stadium, showcasing how cultural events can enhance scientific understanding.

WPI researcher receives CAREER Award for project focused on fibrosis

Catherine Whittington, a WPI researcher, has received a CAREER Award to develop laboratory models for the study of fibrosis in pancreas, skin, and uterine fibroids. The models will help researchers better understand factors at the cellular level that lead to fibrosis and how interventions can interrupt or reverse it.