Articles tagged with Science Education
A renowned molecular geneticist argues that Occam's razor is the defining feature of science, helping to distinguish it from other disciplines. The principle suggests choosing the simplest explanation that fits the facts, clearing a path through mysticism, superstition, and religion.
Virginia Tech researchers analyzed partisan media sentiment toward AI and found that liberal-leaning media tend to have a more negative tone than conservative media. The study suggests that this opposition can be attributed to concerns over AI amplifying existing social biases, such as racial and income disparities.
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has developed the "Bicycle Principles" to tackle the shortcomings of short STEM training programs. The principles aim to make training effective, inclusive, and scalable, with a focus on setting clear objectives and making training adaptable for different institutions.
Rice University has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to develop accessible and inclusive math courses for all students, regardless of background or ability. The grant aims to promote equity in STEM education and support underrepresented groups.
A study of house finches found that sick birds are more social than healthy ones, preferring to eat with their flock. This behavior may be driven by the benefits of group living for sick birds, but also poses a risk to healthy birds due to increased disease transmission.
A new UniSA study reveals that over-represented sharks in 'creature feature' films contribute to excessive fear of sharks. Dr. Brianna Le Busque warns that safety measures should balance people's safety with access to the ocean, rather than exacerbating fear.
A recent report shows 37 percent of sampled drivers reported talking on their handheld cell phone while driving, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving. The UC San Diego TREDS program aims to educate the public on safe driving practices through free online courses and materials.
The UTSA MATRIX AI Consortium has received a $2 million grant to create new AI models that rapidly learn, adapt, and operate in uncertain conditions. The team aims to bridge the gap between human brain processing efficiency and current AI limitations, enabling more efficient and adaptive AI systems.
Nine graduate students will collaborate with leading nuclear physicists at Jefferson Lab on cutting-edge projects exploring fundamental forces and particles. The fellowships provide financial support and resources to advance the field of nuclear physics.
Researchers Joel Mejia and M. Sidury Christiansen are developing a handbook of recommended pedagogical approaches to address exclusionary language in engineering classes. They aim to improve the sense of belonging among multilingual students pursuing STEM careers by guiding faculty on strategies for changing biased language practices.
The Oxford Period Project provides free period products to all students and faculty, reducing stress and stigma around menstruation. The project aims to promote inclusivity and sustainability by offering eco-friendly alternatives.
Researchers have created a fire-inhibiting, nonflammable gel polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries, increasing ion conductivity by 33% and improving life characteristics by 110%. The electrolyte prevents radical chain reactions during combustion, effectively inhibiting battery fires.
Researchers found that working memory was the most significant predictor of writing ability among English learner students. Cognitive functions such as phonological awareness and oral language development were also important, but only working memory consistently predicted higher scores in writing.
The Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh is launching a personalized learning model to cater to students' unique career aspirations. The program offers one-credit modules and professional development streams in industry, entrepreneurship, and academia to help students forge their own path.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $7 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the first full portrait of the effectiveness of all grants funded by the NSF HSI program. The grant will develop evaluation and research approaches to assess how past, current, and future programs are serving Hispanic an...
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute present a method for training artificial intelligence using physical processes, reducing energy consumption and computing time. The new approach relies on non-linear processes, such as optics, to mimic the human brain's parallel processing, potentially leading to more efficient neural networks.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that improvements in socioeconomic status are not equally beneficial for all racial or ethnic groups. Higher socioeconomic status is linked to better heart health, but this link is greatest among white adults compared to people in other groups.
Cynthia Smith, an associate professor at George Mason University, has received $60,750 in funding from Fairfax County Public Schools to support watershed programs. The funding will be used to deliver hands-on field investigations to 5,200 seventh graders annually.
The American Heart Association and NFL offer resources to support physical activity in classrooms. The initiative aims to promote whole-body health and reduce sedentary behaviors among students.
A new how-to guide for building big team science projects helps researchers manage collaborative efforts by identifying consensus buy-in, sharing data and collaborating on writing. The guide outlines best practices and overcoming challenges in governance, authorship, and credit management.
The program gives medical students clinical responsibility, including observing anesthesia administration, to form a picture of their future career. It translates to more anesthesiologists, with 55% of participants choosing anesthesia as their specialty after the externship.
A Brazilian study evaluated the impact of quick and accessible SEL Kernels on children aged 3-6. The program showed significant reductions in conduct problems and improvements in prosocial behavior, indicating improved sociability and reduced hyperactivity.
Researchers have created chip-based optical frequency combs using dissipative Kerr solitons, increasing output power for applications like atomic clocks. The advancement paves the way for highly portable precision metrology devices.
A WVU astronomer is searching the Milky Way for debris left behind by supernovas, with $331,170 in NSF funding. He hopes to discover new supernova remnants using radio wavelength data from telescopes and machine-learning software.
Female STEM doctoral students are less likely to become new inventors compared to their male counterparts during PhD training. Faculty advisors play a critical role in training new inventors, with top inventor faculty members increasing the probability of filing the first patent by 23%. The research highlights a 'leaky pipeline' of fem...
The University of Missouri is launching a five-year, $3 million doctoral training program to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers for emerging fields like materials science and data science. The program aims to empower future workers with both technical expertise and data-driven insights.
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.
The University of Texas at El Paso researchers Laura Alvarez and Deepak K. Tosh have been awarded $550,000 and $492,000 NSF CAREER grants for their research on river landscapes and cyber resiliency.
The Keck School of Medicine's Primary Care Program has shown a significant increase in primary care residency matches and representation, particularly among underrepresented groups. The program provides skill-based training, mentorship, and community-focused experiences that prepare students for careers in primary care medicine.
UK researchers have developed an evidence-based action plan to address the substantial under-representation of PhD students from ethnic minority backgrounds in postgraduate science studies. The study highlights three areas for improvement: student-facing improvements, admissions procedures, and evaluation processes.
Forensic scientists at West Virginia University have developed a systematic approach to compare pieces of trace evidence, including duct tape, using a novel method. The technique evaluates fracture edges and demonstrates physical fit, providing a foundation for evaluating error rates and improving accuracy in crime scene investigations.
A citizen science program led by North Carolina State University researchers inspired Girl Scouts to tackle environmental problems in their communities. The study found that the program not only taught girls about science but also motivated them to take action.
Research reveals non-native English speakers need up to twice as much time to read and write papers, with 2.5 times higher rejection rates for papers written in English. This disproportionately affects early career stage researchers from lower income countries.
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.
A study by Pusan National University researcher Eunseok Ro examines the shift in instruction-giving practices for a book club conducted via video conference. As the facilitator adapts to the new virtual environment, she gradually changes her approach, adopting more recipient-designed and diversified instruction delivery.
A recent public engagement project uses street theatre to educate audiences on African Sleeping Sickness, a neglected tropical disease prevalent in rural Africa. The performance aims to enhance trust in scientists and public health professionals among affected communities.
A new study using satellite data from over 7,000 global reservoirs found that total storage capacity has increased, but the filling rate is lower than anticipated. The analysis suggests that addressing future water demands cannot rely solely on constructing new reservoirs, highlighting the need for novel management strategies.
Researchers from the University of Warsaw explore how kitchen phenomena lead to breakthroughs in biomedicine and nanotechnology. They describe bubbles in champagne, Leidenfrost effect, and surface tension, revealing surprising connections between food science and scientific discoveries.
Scientists have discovered a rare type of white dwarf pulsar, shedding light on stellar evolution and the origin of strong magnetic fields. The newly detected pulsar, J1912-4410, has a size similar to Earth but a mass at least as large as the Sun.
Researchers are investigating methods to extract critical materials, including lithium for electric vehicle batteries and magnets for electric motors, from diverse water streams. By accelerating evaporation through porous photothermal materials, they aim to reduce energy intensity and improve supply chain security.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that TV medical dramas prompted middle schoolers to engage in discussion about vaping dangers after viewing clips featuring fictional adolescents with vaping-associated lung disease. The study suggests using entertainment television as a tool for dialogue about the health effects of e-cigarette use.
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.
A team of researchers at Lancaster University developed accessible ways to communicate sustainability research using fairy tale characters. The 'Telling Tales' project aims to make complicated arguments more engaging and understandable for policymakers and the public.
A study by researcher Breno Arsioli Moura investigated the depictions of Benjamin Franklin's famous kite experiment in illustrations published in the 19th century. The study found several inaccuracies, including the incorrect location where the experiment was performed and the method used to harness electricity from the clouds.
Researchers discover allowing imperfection in design can create wider range of 'good enough' solutions, enabling more innovative designs. The study uses simple examples, such as walkways and bird flapping motion, to show that even small tolerances for imperfection open up significant design space.
A new scientific statement co-authored by the American Heart Association recommends teaching CPR to school-aged children as early as age 4, with layers of skill-building throughout childhood. This approach aims to educate generations on responding to cardiac arrest and increasing survival rates globally.
A team of 995 undergraduate and graduate students analyzed 600 real solar flares, casting doubt on the theory that nanoflares heat up the sun's corona. The students' work provided a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to learn about collaborative research.
In a new study, NC State University researchers had high school students develop their own machine-learning AI models to analyze data. The project aimed to prepare students for the future workforce and help them understand the potential and challenges of AI. Students created text classification models using StoryQ technology, which all...
A new study reveals that contaminated bubble bursting produces aerosols with smaller sizes, greater number of drops, and higher ejection speeds. This finding has significant implications for public health and environmental impact.
A new study found evidence of a reverse 'Flynn effect' in the US, with declines in verbal reasoning, matrix reasoning, and letter/number series scores, but an increase in 3D rotation scores. The study suggests that changing values and motivation may be contributing factors.
Researchers found that those perceiving an oral exam as a challenge tend to perform better and have lower cortisol levels. Experts advise examiners to create a supportive atmosphere to reduce stress. This study highlights the importance of self-efficacy in presentation performance.
A proof-of-principle study introduces a 'glowscope' - a $50 device that converts smartphones into fluorescence microscopes. The device allows for low-magnification imaging of cells, tissues, and organisms under fluorescent lighting.
The 57th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America's South-Central Section will take place in Oklahoma, USA, from March 13-14. The event features a diverse program covering various geologic disciplines and includes environmental-related sessions on topics such as hydrogeology and unconventional resources.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering and National Academy of Engineering launch a weekly social media news network, The Circuit, to promote engineering to the public. The program aims to engage diverse audiences in conversations about engineering and highlight notable engineers and technologies that shape our world.
Tactile Engineering's Cadence tablet allows users to access technical diagrams and read equations using a refreshable display of electronic cells. The investment will enable the company to manufacture Cadence in larger quantities, supporting its mission to strengthen Braille literacy and equal-opportunity STEM education.
The Carnegie Mellon Portugal initiative offers up to 12 Ph.D. scholarships for the 2023/2024 academic year in selected ICT areas. The selected candidates will be hosted by Portuguese universities and benefit from a research period at CMU, with full tuition fees and stipend support.
A recent study from North Carolina State University suggests that participation in environmental education programs can motivate children across diverse language groups to act responsibly toward the environment. Bilingual or multilingual students saw bigger gains on average compared to students who spoke English primarily at home.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting a hybrid Spring 2023 meeting with over 10,000 presentations on various topics, including agriculture, energy, health, and sustainability. Press registration is available for qualified journalists and public information officers.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to provide financial support and professional development experiences to talented computer science students. The program will fund partial scholarships for 26 UTEP students and 15 EPCC students.
Researchers found that biology textbooks published between 1970 and 2019 provided insufficient climate change information, with median sentence counts decreasing over time. Climate coverage has varied substantially, but actionable solutions decreased significantly since the 1990s.