Science fiction can lead people to be more cautious about the potential consequences of innovations. It can help people think critically about the ethics of science. Researchers have also found that sci-fi serves as a positive influence on how people view science. Science fiction scholar Istvan Csicsery-Ronay calls this “science-fictional habits of mind.” Scientists and engineers have reported that their childhood encounters with […] … learn more→

It is the start of a new academic year, and a fresh group of students will be beginning study towards their GCSEs. After two years, they will be taking exams with important consequences: the results can allow them to carry on in education or go on to certain careers. Part of the work of teachers […] … learn more→

Ever since the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into orbit on Oct. 4, 1957, America has been struggling to recruit and retain STEM teachers in its public middle and high schools. In the 2017-2018 school year, approximately 100,000 teacher jobs in STEM – or science, technology, engineering and mathematics – went unfilled at the high school level. […] … learn more→

In today’s society, where immediate returns are valued, it is fair to say that short-termism is in fashion. We live in an age of technology where globalization and unprecedented social interconnectedness are changing the way we live and our social relationships, including our relationships with ourselves . In this context, the search for quick success seems to be […] … learn more→

One of the most relevant books in the history of science is On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres ( De revolutionibus ), by Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543). Its publication caused a true scientific revolution. But what does it count and who read it? Even if the title doesn’t sound familiar to you, you probably remember that it was Copernicus who proposed […] … learn more→

There’s no doubt generative AI’s ability to rapidly produce new texts, images and audio is shaking up creative jobs. In the long-running Writers Guild of America strike, a central sticking point has been the guild’s demand that AI be used only as a research tool and not a replacement for its members. For many creative types, it seems harder to earn […] … learn more→

Learning to summarize research papers profoundly is crucial for researchers or professionals out there. In doing so, in the right way, readers could get a quick preview of the main points without covering the whole paper. Previously, research paper summarization was conducted through manual techniques, but this work has been made simpler with the onset […] … learn more→

As part of the new employment white paper, the federal government has announced it is thinking seriously about a national skills passport. It has set aside A$9.1 million to prepare a business case for the passport to “help workers promote their qualifications and businesses find more skilled workers”. What might this involve? And is it a good idea? […] … learn more→

Music education – which traditionally has been heavily reliant on large ensembles and classical music – is changing with the times. Not since the introduction of the school wind ensemble in the 1920s or the growth of marching band in the 1950s has music education undergone such a transformation. The changes occurring now have been developed to bring more students into […] … learn more→

Governments face difficult choices when industries fail. They can stand by while private businesses collapse and see the resulting loss of jobs and revenue. Or they can step in and use public money to prop up these firms. The Scottish government intervened in 2019 to rescue Ferguson Marine, the last shipbuilding firm on the river Clyde, […] … learn more→