Teaching & Learning
Education propels change. Stay up to date on the latest educational developments near you and around the world from preschool to post-grad. Here, you'll find out why equitable quality education is essential for fostering healthy and resilient societies.
Get healthy, go to a green space
We decided to revamp a couple of stories on the benefits of green spaces, for which there is an ever-growing body of evidence. NPR’s Aaron Scott recently spoke with environmental psychologist Ming Kuo on green spaces and why we all seem to feel better walking down a city street lined with Read More...
Some people have improved cognition while on a walk
While the large majority of us work sitting at a desk, we’ve all had those flashes of insight or a string of new ideas while running or on a walk. It’s probably too much to ask that people do their jobs running on a treadmill, but new research shows some have improved cognition while Read More...
More on beavers and rewilding
We decided to dust off and update this innovative solution to restoring habitats with the most industrious aquatic mammal: beavers. At The Optimist Daily, we’ve written a great deal about the benefits beavers bring to their environment and the importance of restoring their populations in Read More...
Exclusive version of Minecraft helps kids with autism learn social skills
The popular video game Minecraft isn’t usually considered a tool that can help people improve social skills and learn how to build relationships—in fact, many people consider playing video games an antisocial activity. However, the opposite is true of Autcraft, an online version of Minecraft Read More...
Study finds pigs and horses recognize positive and negative tones
Along the line, we evolved with certain animals and decided to keep their use but also their ability to connect with us. This is certainly the reason humans have bonded so closely with dogs and cats. As it turns out, this is the case with livestock as well. A recent study from the University Read More...
Google’s new tool lets us witness the planet changing in near real-time
Planet Earth is changing, transforming, and shifting faster than we can keep track of these days. Human development continues to spread, The Alps are turning from white to green, massive solar farms are being erected, and droughts are shrinking lakes and drying out rivers. All of these major Read More...
6 ways to bring the Juneteenth celebration to work this year
Last year, Juneteenth was proclaimed a federal holiday, meaning this year is set to be the first time many organizations and businesses will celebrate and observe this meaningful and historic day. On top of giving employees the day off to rest, it’s worth considering celebrating Juneteenth Read More...
Huge Anglo-Saxon burial site discovered in Buckinghamshire
A large burial site containing a wealth of Britain’s early ancestors and treasures has been discovered near Wendover, Buckinghamshire. Historian Dan Snow described it as a “stunning set of discoveries,” and the find has illuminated parts of the past. “Traditionally, this period has Read More...
The symbolism behind the Juneteenth flag
In 2021, President Joe Biden announced that June 19th, shortened to Juneteenth (which is also known as Emancipation Day and/or Freedom Day), will be officially celebrated as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is still in the early years of being officially observed by many businesses and Read More...
Many US states now allow mental health absences for students
Linnea Sorensen is a 17-year-old student from Schaumburg, Illinois northwest of Chicago. She falls into a funk every time her girlfriend of four years leaves for her six-month stints with the Marine Corps. Linnea has trouble focusing on her schoolwork when she gets like this. "I'm somebody who Read More...