Monthly Archives: November 2023

As school students strike for climate once more, here’s how the movement and its tactics have changed

As school students strike for climate once more, here’s how the movement and its tactics have changed

On Friday, students will once again down textbooks and laptops and go on strike for climate action. Many will give their schools a Climate Doctor’s Certificate signed by three leading climate academics. These strikes – part of a National Climate Strike – mark five years since school students started walking out of schools to demand greater action on climate change. In […] … learn more→

Fewer U.S. college students are studying a foreign language − and that spells trouble for national security

Fewer U.S. college students are studying a foreign language − and that spells trouble for national security

When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite, on Oct. 4, 1957, it did more than spark fears about America’s ability to compete technologically. It also raised concerns that the U.S. had a shortage of Russian speakers capable of monitoring Soviet scientific and military activities. In 1958, the National Defense Education Act authorized funding to […] … learn more→

Will artificial intelligence kill or save the media?

Will artificial intelligence kill or save the media?

Information search, content production, translation, detection of hate speech… generative artificial intelligence (AI) promises significant productivity gains in the media world . The media accompany us on a daily basis and are a support for democracy: they have the freedom to show different points of view and ideas, to denounce corruption and discrimination, but also to show social and […] … learn more→

The universe is expanding faster than theory predicts – physicists are searching for new ideas that might explain the mismatch

The universe is expanding faster than theory predicts – physicists are searching for new ideas that might explain the mismatch

Astronomers have known for decades that the universe is expanding. When they use telescopes to observe faraway galaxies, they see that these galaxies are moving away from Earth. To astronomers, the wavelength of light a galaxy emits is longer the faster the galaxy is moving away from us. The farther away the galaxy is, the more its […] … learn more→

AI is already being melded with robotics – one outcome could be powerful new weapons

AI is already being melded with robotics – one outcome could be powerful new weapons

Interest in the incorporation of robots into security, policing and military operations has been steadily increasing over the last few years. It’s an avenue already being explored in both North America and Europe. Robot integration into these areas could be seen as analogous to the inclusion of dogs in policing and military roles in the 20th century. Dogs […] … learn more→

‘You only assess what you care about’: a new report looks at how we assess research in Australia

‘You only assess what you care about’: a new report looks at how we assess research in Australia

Research plays a pivotal role in society. Through research, we gain new understandings, test theories and make discoveries. It also has a huge economic value. In 2021, the CSIRO found every A$1 of research and development investment in Australia creates an average of $3.50 in economy-wide benefits. But how do we know if individual research projects being […] … learn more→

Investing in your child's future: A guide to education savings

Investing in your child’s future: A guide to education savings

Navigating the financial landscape to secure your child’s educational future can be daunting, a sentiment echoed by 63% of Canadian parents. These parents not only express concern over the means to fund post-secondary education but also find the financial preparation overwhelming. With tuition fees on the rise, establishing an education fund is becoming an indispensable […] … learn more→

Student success: how are the first weeks at university decisive?

Student success: how are the first weeks at university decisive?

Success or failure in higher education are often measured quantitatively, in percentages by sectors and types of baccalaureate obtained, or even according to the socio-professional origin of the parents without sufficiently taking into account other more qualitative factors. Thus success is measured according to the success rate from L1 to L2 or even according to obtaining the license […] … learn more→

1 in 4 Colorado 11th-graders skipped their state’s standardized test − geography and income help explain why

1 in 4 Colorado 11th-graders skipped their state’s standardized test − geography and income help explain why

About one in four 11th-graders in Colorado exercised their right to skip the state’s official science test each year between 2016 and 2019. More specifically, between 23 percent and 27 percent of 11th-graders did not participate in the science exam during those years. That’s what we found in a study published in AERA Open. Our study was based on a geographical analysis […] … learn more→