Education
Great minds lead to great solutions. Our education section features solutions and innovations directed at strengthening educational systems around the world.
Five easy steps to start composting
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about eight percent of all carbon emissions come from food waste, and about half of that comes from “the consumption stage,” which means waste from households and food services. This means that we can control about four percent of carbon Read More...
What to do at a personal or professional fork in the road
Whether it’s in our home life, academic life, or career, we all eventually come to an inflection point. This can be a fork in the road where we have a personal-professional dilemma of choosing between home and work. It can be the culmination of our frustration with a current job and a decision to Read More...
Algae powered a basic computer for over six months
Sometimes it can be pretty difficult to imagine our highly technological society coexisting with the natural world. We seem to live most of our lives entirely online, not just separated from nature, but also from physical space itself. However, scientists from the University of Cambridge have Read More...
A species of East African jumping spider targets recently fed mosquitoes
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, so the saying goes. As it turns out, this applies to humans and the natural world as well. Mosquitoes are the prime movers of malaria around the world, and scientists have worked hard to eliminate mosquitoes’ spread of this deadly disease. Yet, another species Read More...
Standup comedy course helps support men at risk of suicide
Here at The Optimist Daily, we believe wholeheartedly in the power of healing through laughter, joy, and a positive outlook—and it seems as though the UK National Health Service (NHS) is on the same page. Mental health problems are on the rise for people of all ages and walks of life, and as Read More...
How do massive flocks of starlings fly in perfect unison?
Have you ever watched a flock of birds fly, turn, and dive in what seems like perfect unison? You might look at this and assume that a lead bird is determining the directions of the flock, or that they are collectively responding to small changes in the wind. All of those are good guesses, but Read More...
Why it's important to teach kids how to celebrate themselves
This past year put many milestones, events, and special occasions on hold, especially for young ones growing up during a global pandemic. However, the importance of celebrations should not be overlooked, particularly now. While children are motivated at school by praise and recognition, for Read More...
How to use a reverse image search to spot fake news
If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that “fake news” has found its home on social media. While fake posts are often news stories, they can also be images that people share, sometimes without the knowledge that what they’re sharing isn’t factual. As we have previously Read More...
Why teen anxiety is on the rise and how to help
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, so here at The Optimist Daily, we want to shine a light on this important subject. We're committed to helping break the stigma around mental illness, educating more people, and showing solidarity with those who are impacted by them. Over the past two years, Read More...
The warning signs of youth suicide and how to respond
Growing up is tough, especially for the current generation that has had to push through a global pandemic, climate anxiety, political unrest, and general uncertainty in almost all aspects of life. The building pressure and the looming unknowns can bring anyone down, especially young people who are Read More...