By far my favourite thing about my job as an astronomer is those rare moments when I get to see beautiful distant galaxies, whose light left them millions to billions of years ago. It’s a combination of pure awe and scientific curiosity that excites me about “galaxy hunting”. In astronomy today, much of our work […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Hunting galaxies far far away – here’s how anyone can explore the universe
Have you fallen for the myth of ‘I can’t draw’? Do it anyway – and reap the rewards
Drawing is a powerful tool of communication. It helps build self-understanding and can boost mental health. But our current focus on productivity, outcomes and “talent” has us thinking about it the wrong way. Too many believe the myth of “I can’t draw”, when in fact it’s a skill built through practice. Dedicated practice is hard, however, if you’re constantly […] … learn more→
Bullying and cyberbullying in the school environment: who detects and who mediates
Since we began to study the phenomenon of peer abuse in the school environment in 1973, almost five decades have passed. During this time we have expanded our knowledge of the profiles of aggressors and victims of violence, and we have developed a multitude of intervention programs, mainly in the school environment, aimed at preventing this type of behavior and intervening when […] … learn more→
What if YouTubers could help teens eat healthy?
Since its takeover by Google in 2006, YouTube has experienced a meteoric rise. Standing on the podium of the most visited sites in the world, with nearly 1.8 billion unique users per month, the platform is meeting with great enthusiasm among the younger generations. An Ipsos study (2020) reveals that 76% of 15-25 year olds consult it daily. This reflects the concept […] … learn more→
Don’t fret about buying the ‘right’ toy – any toy is educational if you support kids in their play
It’s that time of the year again, and besides the new COVID-era concerns about retail supply chains comes the age-old question: what’s the best educational toy to buy for the child (or grandchild) in your life? There’s a vast range of toys that claim to stimulate learning, or foster creativity, or boost kids’ STEM skills. […] … learn more→
Sports card explosion holds promise for keeping kids engaged in math December 22, 2021 8.09am EST
When it comes to collecting sports cards, people often focus on the cards’ financial worth. And understandably so. After all, when a small piece of cardboard that originally cost just dollars or even cents is suddenly worth more than a million bucks after the featured player rises to fame, it’s hard to ignore the kind of […] … learn more→
Secondary school pupils are skipping breakfast – with consequences for their health and learning
I taught teenagers economics for almost 40 years until my retirement a few years ago. When I started teaching in the 1970s, I used to refer to the last period on a Friday afternoon as the “graveyard slot”. It was hard to get any work out of the students, who just wanted to go home […] … learn more→
People who are bad with numbers often find it harder to make ends meet – even if they are not poor
People who are bad with numbers are more likely to experience financial difficulties than people who are good with numbers. That’s according to our analyses of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll. In this World Risk Poll, people from 141 countries were asked if 10% was bigger than, smaller than or the same as 1 out of […] … learn more→
Nativity plays and school prayers: what children think of Christianity at primary school
As Christmas approaches, many primary schools and nurseries in Britain hold their traditional nativity plays or musicals. Teachers adapt the biblical story of the nativity and children often dress up as angels, innkeepers, shepherds, stars, wise men, Mary or Joseph. Parents and guardians are usually invited to attend performances in schools – but COVID-19 restrictions […] … learn more→
Why do YOU need a personal injury lawyer
It is a well-known fact that only approximately four percent of personal injury cases get to trial. Based on estimations provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, there were some 16 397 tort cases in the space of a year. If one extrapolates the actual number of personal injury claims in a year, a staggering […] … learn more→
