In the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection, the United States has lurched further toward a democratic crisis. Institutions once considered stable now feel precarious. The assault on truth — already well underway — has intensified, with political leaders openly flouting constitutional principles, suppressing dissent and dismantling democratic safeguards. The rhetoric of grievance and retribution has become the […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
How to teach hope when democracy is retreating
The deep research hangout
It’s been a very busy fortnight. I’ve been immersed in a very deep research hangout. So what is a deep research hangout I hear you ask, and why was I in one? Well, even though I am currently in Australia I am still working with a team in England on a big research project looking at the […] … learn more→
Trump order boosts school choice, but there’s little evidence vouchers lead to smarter students or better educational outcomes
The school choice movement received a major boost on Jan. 29, 2025, when President Donald Trump issued an executive order supporting families who want to use public money to send their children to private schools. The far-reaching order aims to redirect federal funds to voucher-type programs. Vouchers typically afford parents the freedom to select nonpublic schools, including faith-based ones, […] … learn more→
The science behind our fitness data: how it can help us improve our health
Most of us own at least one smartphone that can count our steps every day. Increasingly, some people also wear wristbands, watches and other devices that collect fitness-related data such as heart rate. But how does the science behind this technology work? Is the information they provide us any use? The use of smart watches […] … learn more→
Boundaries and affection: the best combination in parenting
Aurora grew up in a home of strict rules and absent affection. Her father, Don Augusto, spoke little, but imposed his authority firmly. At the table, no one spoke without his permission, no one left without his authorization, and he decided the punishments. If Aurora spilled a glass of juice, her father’s stern look was […] … learn more→
Reality is becoming increasingly difficult, but climate denialism continues to ignore the evidence
The concept of negation is often associated with unfavorable or restrictive meanings, and the history of science offers numerous examples of this. From the condemnation of Galileo for defending heliocentrism to the harsh criticism received by Darwin for proposing human evolution from common ancestors with primates, many revolutionary ideas were initially rejected before becoming fundamental […] … learn more→
How plants are able to remember stress without a brain
It may sound strange but plants can remember stress. Scientists are still learning about how plants do this without a brain. But with climate change threatening crops around the world, understanding plant stress memory could help food crops become more resilient. Since their colonisation of the land 500 million years ago, plants have evolved ways to defend themselves […] … learn more→
DEI programs are designed to help white people too – here’s how
While diversity, equity and inclusion may on the surface seem focused on certain groups, in fact DEI programs benefit people from all walks of life – including white people. President Donald Trump and other conservatives have increasingly attacked such initiatives as discriminatory based on the presumption that they benefit only students of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Most […] … learn more→
The role of Mobile Apps in modernizing educational delivery methods
Mobile apps have intricately woven themselves into our daily existence in the fast-paced digital world of today; they revolutionize communication, work habits, and educational pursuits. Specifically within education, mobile technology has sparked a radical shift: bridging old-school instruction with innovative digital means, rendering learning more dynamic and accessible than ever before. According to a recent […] … learn more→
Artificial intelligence: open to all or closed for the benefit of a few?
In the early 1980s my parents brought home a home computer connected to the television screen. This motivated me to “play” scientist. I was proud to publish in those early computer magazines simple programs on how to draw mathematical functions, monitor the machine code of the microprocessor or rudimentary animations and computer games. Everything was published, […] … learn more→
