Today’s Solutions: January 19, 2025

Education

Great minds lead to great solutions. Our education section features solutions and innovations directed at strengthening educational systems around the world.

Kathleen Kim, Ji-Young’s puppeteer, with the finished muppet

Sesame Street introduces Ji-Young, its first ever Asian American muppet

The beloved children’s show “Sesame Street” will formally introduce seven-year-old Ji-Young, the young muppet making history as the show’s first-ever Asian American, on Thanksgiving Day in an episode called “See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special.” Ji-Young, who is Korean Read More...

starling murmuration against the dusk sky

What are starling murmurations and why do they happen

Those who are lucky enough to witness a starling murmuration know exactly how transfixing and hypnotic it can be to be in the presence of such a magical natural phenomenon. A starling is a small to medium-sized bird that has a short tail, pointed head, and glossy black feathers with hints of Read More...

Group of friends having a discussion

The Art of Connection: Finding ourselves through others

“We are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” - Brené Brown By Kristy Jansen Preparing for a second holiday season in the pandemic era, I have found myself seeking a deeper understanding about what makes Read More...

man exploring the woods

5 Ways adults can reconnect with a love of scientific learning

Most of our childhood is spent exploring, learning, and absorbing new information, but once we leave formal education, this emphasis on cultivating new knowledge is largely lost to the world of work and adult responsibilities. Simultaneously, large portions of the adult population struggle to Read More...

Unhappy child looks at fork of lettuce

Research says you shouldn’t pressure a picky eater

Whether you were a picky eater yourself or now parent one as an adult, most of us have come across a child who simply refused to expand their food palette beyond chicken nuggets and carrot sticks. New research from Duke University suggests that rather than using coercion or force, the most Read More...

Filming a movie on sand dunes

Campaign urges Hollywood to trade plastic for sustainable alternatives

Like the "Lights, Camera, Plastic?" campaign we wrote about recently, the Flip the Script on Plastics campaign wants Hollywood to join the fight against plastic pollution by urging popular television shows, movies, and media to stop showcasing single-use plastics and trade them in for more Read More...

Red ladder against a cloudy blue sky

Have to make a tough decision? This “ladder rule” strategy can help

At least occasionally, we’ll find ourselves in a high-pressure situation where we must make a difficult decision quickly. Major life decisions deserve our undivided attention, but the business of life tends to get in the way and we end up feeling frazzled and spread thin. If you can relate to Read More...

Kenyan woman stands outside with pot

This ATM helps Kenyans switch from charcoal to eco-friendly fuel

In Kenya, most people use wood or charcoal to cook in small homes without proper ventilation, and exposure to charcoal smoke causes a myriad of health problems for users and their families. On top of the grave health issues, charcoal use is also to blame for deforestation, another contributor to Read More...

Two young girls looking at an iPad

17-year-old develops app to bring the magic of movies to young deaf viewers

For deaf viewers, open captioning makes movies and television more accessible, but for younger viewers who cannot read very quickly, subtitles aren’t very helpful. Fortunately, a new app, developed by 17-year-old student Mariella Satow, is making children’s movies more accessible with sign Read More...

three hands demonstrate the domestic violence hand gesture

Teen saved thanks to domestic violence hand signal circulated on TikTok

Last year, the Canadian Women’s Foundation introduced a hand gesture that is meant to communicate a plea for help due to a violent home environment. This hand gesture was subsequently circulated on the social media platform TikTok and adopted by women around the world who must discreetly inform Read More...