New Prada-designed spacesuit is a small step for astronaut style, but could be a giant leap for sustainable fashion
For its recent Spring/Summer 2025 show, fashion brand Diesel filled a runway with mounds of denim offcuts, making a spectacle of its efforts to reduce waste. Haunting yet poetic, the “forgotten” byproducts of fashion production were reclaimed and repurposed into something artful. But the irony isn’t lost, given fashion shows like this one demand significant […]
Generative AI can boost innovation – but only when humans are in control
The key to maximizing AI’s potential lies in understanding the distinct but complementary roles that both humans and AI play. (Shutterstock) Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT or Dall-E are changing how creative work is done, particularly in industries that rely on innovation. However, AI use in the innovation process requires careful considerations. Our […]
Six Strategies to Help English Language Learners in Math
The majority of the 5.5 million English Language Learners (ELLs) in the U.S. public school system speak Spanish as their first language, which makes the capability of teaching math in Spanish, using bilingual teachers or teaching assistants, a high priority. Many of these students may have difficulty learning effectively in English and require specialized or […]
The Benefits of Virtual Manipulatives
Physical (also known as concrete) manipulatives like the abacus or blocks have been basic tools of teaching math since time immemorial. The ancient Romans and Greeks conceived of counting boards and eventually the abacus, and the Chinese abacus that came into use centuries later is thought to be an adaptation of the Roman version. Italian […]
From waste to power: how floating solar panels on wastewater ponds could help solve NZ’s electricity security crisis
Getty Images Wastewater ponds may seem an unlikely place to look for solutions to New Zealand’s electricity security crisis. But their underutilised surfaces could help tackle two problems at once – high power prices and algal growth. Floating solar panels on wastewater ponds offer a multifaceted answer. They generate renewable energy, improve water quality in […]
Climate change is a pollution problem, and countries know how to deal with pollution threats – think DDT and acid rain
Adding scrubbers in coal-fired power plants helped reduce acid rain, but they continued to fuel climate change. Drums600 via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA Climate change can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, if you look closely at its causes, you’ll realize that history is filled with similar health and environmental threats that humanity has overcome. The […]
Intrinsic Motivation: Why It’s Lacking in Students and How to Foster It
The drive to engage and motivate students is a critical factor in their ability to learn and retain knowledge. Developing these for learners creates the conditions where they are giving their attention and want to learn. Motivation comes in two forms: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic is often related to a drive to finish, to achieve […]
How universities can unlock their entrepreneurial potential
A view of the university of Berkley, where the idea of the personal computer first emerged. Shutterstock Universities do more than just teach and conduct research – they’re where some of the most audacious ideas are ignited, eventually finding their way into the private sector and our everyday lives. Take Stanford and UC Berkeley, for […]
Lord Kelvin: how the 19th century scientist combined research and innovation to change the world
Statue of Lord Kelvin in Glasgow. University of Glasgow, CC BY-SA “What got you into astrophysics?” It’s a question I’m often asked at outreach events, and I answer by pointing to my early passion for exploring the biggest questions about our universe. Well, along with seeing Star Wars at an impressionable age. This fascination with […]
Five Ways to Create Immersion in the Classroom
Educators today wear many metaphorical hats, especially as technology develops. They are expected to become film directors, vloggers, and coding experts, not to mention navigating the world of AI and feeling the burden of their students’ online safety. It can be easy to forget that a key part of the mission of educational technology (EdTech) […]
