Education
Great minds lead to great solutions. Our education section features solutions and innovations directed at strengthening educational systems around the world.
The founder of Netflix just donated $120 million to black colleges
Many prominent public figures have donated towards causes that support racial justice in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, but no donation has gone further than that of Netflix founder Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin. The duo recently put forth $120 million that will be Read More...
MLB organist moves his show from Fenway Park to the world of livestreams
What does a Major League Baseball organist do during a pandemic? While baseball is shut down, Fenway Park’s Josh Kantor is keeping spirits up with live-streamed concerts from his home. Although not as glamorous as playing for a stadium of over 30,000 people, he told the New York Times, “For Read More...
Prague will soon be home to the first floating 3D-printed house
A group in the Czech Republic is building a 3D printed house, which, on its own, isn't anything we haven't seen before. What sets this house apart from the others, though, is its final destination: Prague's Vltava River. "I dare say it's the first-ever floating 3D printed building in the world," Read More...
Museums embrace the healing power of art therapy
Psychologists have long praised the correlation between artistic expression and healing, but until now, not many museums directly incorporated wellness into their exhibits and programs. The emotional distress and isolation many are experiencing during the pandemic have motivated art institutions Read More...
Opera house performs first post-lockdown concert for an all-plant audience
In June 2020, Barcelona’s Liceu Opera House emerged from its lockdown-induced siesta by throwing a concert to a rather unusual audience. The attendees did not need masks or gloves in the middle of the pandemic, nor did they be required to follow physical distancing rules. However, they did Read More...
The school year is ending. Here’s some ideas for thanking teachers
As we wrap up the school year, many parents are breathing a sigh of relief to have a break from the virtual classroom. Many are also experiencing a surge of gratitude for teachers who manage not only their child but 20 others as well every day. If you’re looking to thank your child’s teacher Read More...
Pupils in need will be offered free internet to study online
Lockdown-induced school closures have disrupted the education of millions of students around the world, but thanks to virtual classes many were still able to continue their learning. For those with disadvantaged backgrounds though, a lack of access to the internet has put a halt to their Read More...
Johns Hopkins is offering a free online course in psychological first aid
The pandemic caused a significant rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Isolation, combined with health concerns, social justice frustrations, and economic uncertainty took its toll on all of us. With this in mind, researchers from Johns Hopkins University started offering Read More...
Online choirs thrive amid lockdown as uplifting community connections
Lockdown may have brought concerts and choir practice to a standstill, but in the face of isolation and adversity, people are turning to the power of song more than ever and virtual choirs are flourishing online. In the UK, for instance, more than 1,000 NHS staff members from across the country Read More...
Thought Leader Series: A letter to the class of 2020
You have graduated from college, now what? This question looms large for the class of 2020 as they face a global pandemic, few jobs, and a shaky political climate. In this week’s Thought Leader Series, The Optimist Daily founding impact investor Rinaldo Brutoco pens a letter of support to the Read More...