Education
Great minds lead to great solutions. Our education section features solutions and innovations directed at strengthening educational systems around the world.
Extend the life of your artificial Christmas tree with these tips and tricks
While we may not all agree on whether an artificial tree is more sustainable than chopping down a real evergreen tree this Christmas, what we can agree upon is that if you already have an artificial Christmas tree, you shouldn’t let it go to waste. Greenpeace says an artificial Christmas tree Read More...
The Optimist Daily Update Transcript: Mariella Satow & Sign Up
This is an ASL interpretation and transcript of the December 10, 2021 episode of The Optimist Daily Update titled "Mariella Satow: Sign Up." Transcription: Summers: Hello, universe. Welcome to the Optimist Daily Update. I'm Summers McKay. Kristy: And I'm Kristy Jansen, and we are part of the Read More...
Kids on the Nice List
“If we wish to create a lasting peace we must begin with the children.” - Mahatma Gandhi Christmas is just around the corner, and we heard that even Santa Claus is bidding adieu to coal this year. That’s right, Santa is going green, but we have it on good authority that he’s ditching Read More...
Here are 5 Indigenous-led eco-charities you can support today
The climate crisis has caused us to reconsider our consumerist lifestyles and turn to Indigenous peoples to learn from their superior understanding of living in harmony with nature. Here is a list of five organizations and eco-charities you should check out if you are looking to make a difference Read More...
How much would you pay for an Einstein original?
Albert Einstein was undoubtedly one of the greatest scientists that has ever lived. The German-born theoretical physicist is famous for his work developing theories about gravity, quantum mechanics, and importantly, his unruly hairstyle. In November 2021, a 54-page manuscript written by Einstein Read More...
Scientists strive to map and preserve underground fungal networks
Science is taking the fight against climate change underground—literally. The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks is on a mission to uncover the mysteries of the vast fungal networks found in the soil under our feet. We know that there’s an underground network comprised of Read More...
How to develop a green thumb in no time
When someone brings up the term “green thumb,” chances are certain people we know come to mind, but do we actually know what the term means? Here’s what plant experts want you to understand about what it means to have a green thumb. What it means to have a green thumb According to Read More...
New York City opens the country’s first safe injection site
Harm reduction strategies are gaining traction as a more effective way to quell the ever-growing opioid crisis. These strategies, like making clean needle exchanges available and decriminalizing drug possession, understand that criminalization alone will not reduce drug abuse, nor does it protect Read More...
Social Skate combats crime and violence in Brazil through skateboarding
A decade ago, 43-year-old skateboarder Sandro Soares, known to most as Testinha, together with his wife Leila, launched Social Skate, a charity-funded non-governmental organization that offers free skate lessons to young people in the Calmon Viana neighborhood in the city of Poa, on the outskirts Read More...
Research shows gestures take the guesswork out of learning a new language
It’s common knowledge that picking up a new language is easier as a child, while your brain is still flexible—but learning a foreign tongue as an adult is another story. Well, according to new research, adults who strive to speak a new language shouldn’t just fall back on the traditional Read More...