Education
Great minds lead to great solutions. Our education section features solutions and innovations directed at strengthening educational systems around the world.
ACTV therapy model reduces recidivism for domestic abuse
There is a growing trend in the United States to reduce crime and recidivism by educating, treating, and reforming individuals rather than punishing them with harsh sentences. This takes on many forms. The First Step Act, for instance, seeks to reduce existing sentences and reincarceration through Read More...
Fashion Week Minnesota highlights AAPI and Indigenous designers
This spring, Fashion Week Minnesota features new shows that showcase local designers and creatives that are underrepresented in mainstream fashion, giving voice to their collections and cultures. Fashion designers from Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous, and people of color Read More...
What is the difference between poisonous and venomous snakes?
Snakes are often associated with danger due to their sharp fangs and potentially lethal bite. Often when somebody sees any snake at all they jump for fear that it could be lethal. However, there isn't always a need for fear, as many snakes are just venomous and not poisonous. What does poisonous Read More...
Insects and lab-grown meat could reduce environmental impact by 80 percent
We at The Optimist Daily have written a lot before about the environmental benefits of lab-grown meat and insects as an alternative protein source, and the body of research for this cultural and scientific protein shift keeps growing. A new study published in Nature Food found that replacing Read More...
The formula of “flow”: how we get in the zone at work
We’ve all experienced the fulfilling experience of “flow.” This is the immersive and usually elating state of mind we reach when we are creatively moving from one sentence to another deep into a writing project, reacting thoughtlessly and rapidly in a basketball game, or even operating at Read More...
5 cities celebrating the earth by “plogging”
If case you haven’t heard, “plogging” combines physical exercise and cleaning up your town and environment. It started in Sweden — “plogging” being a portmanteau of the Swedish phrase “plocka upp,” meaning to “pick up,” and jogging — and the craze has caught on around the Read More...
Six ways to encourage pollinating bees in your garden
Bees are the most prolific pollinators on the planet and every gardener’s best friend. The majority of flowering plants in the world need the help of pollinating animals like bees to reproduce, and they pleasantly add a gentle buzz to the air. So how do you make sure that your local bee Read More...
Beat procrastination and feel good at work with this mental habit
Procrastination is often seen as an aspect of poor time management, but research shows that as associate professor of psychology at Carleton University Tim Pychyl states: “Procrastination is not a time-management problem, it’s an emotion-management problem.” Even though bringing up Read More...
This app could put a stop to the illegal hawksbill sea turtle trade
“Beauty comes with a price”—a saying that rings painfully true for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Among the other numerous problems sea turtles have to worry about (ocean plastic, a warming planet, and habitat encroachment to name a few), humanity’s attraction to the Read More...
APA, AAPI, APIDA or AANHPI? The history and significance of the “Asian American” identity crisis
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ― Lao Tzu By Arielle Tiangco Weeks ago, seated cross-legged on my couch, I watched the small bobbing faces of my colleagues speaking within the confines of their equally-sized zoom rectangles. We were in our scheduled editorial Read More...