Teaching & Learning
Education propels change. Stay up to date on the latest educational developments near you and around the world from preschool to post-grad. Here, you'll find out why equitable quality education is essential for fostering healthy and resilient societies.
Lightning season safety: important tips for staying safe during thunderstorms
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF As the warm weather tempts people outside for barbecues, beach trips, and ballgames, it's important to remember that summer is also lightning season. Every year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 37 million times, taking an average of 21 Read More...
Tackling the elder fraud epidemic in America
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF According to the FBI, elder fraud has reached alarming levels, with Americans aged 60 and over losing more than $3 billion in scams by 2023. To put this astronomical figure in context, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour recently made headlines for being the first Read More...
Bridging the wiki gender gap
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF In a bustling feminist bookstore in Madrid, 17 women gathered to address one of the internet's most persistent gender disparities. These ladies, members of Spain's Wikiesfera, worked hard to enhance women's representation on Wikipedia, a platform where Read More...
Bogotá's Care School for Men empowers fathers to embrace caregiving
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF A remarkable scene plays out at Bogotá's Sanitas University when a select group of young men congregate for an unusual class. They all grab a plastic doll, rash cream, and diapers. Felipe Contreras, their instructor, leads them through a routine that is Read More...
Sex education for incarcerated men in California
Cristobal De La Cruz enters a classroom at the Orange County Juvenile Hall in Southern California, carrying a condom in his back pocket. A group of young guys, ranging in age from 12 to 18, are waiting. De La Cruz, who is only 28, is young enough to connect with the youth over video games and Read More...
Finland's free contraception initiative reduces teen abortions by 66%
Finland's multifaceted approach to preventing teenage abortions has proven highly effective, with a 66 percent reduction reported between 2000 and 2023. This large drop, owing to free contraception and obligatory sex education, serves as a model for public health programs. The impact of free Read More...
Students drop social media: how a weeklong detox improves self-esteem and body image
A new study from York University in Toronto, Canada sheds light on the substantial consequences of social media detox on people's self-esteem and body image. The study, led by psychology professor Jennifer Mills, included 66 female undergraduate students and sought to investigate the consequences Read More...
How embarking on a fictional literary adventure shapes your brain
It's time to celebrate, bookworms! Scientists revealed some fascinating findings about the effects of reading fiction on the brain, and the results are nothing short of astounding. According to Lena Wimmer, a postdoctoral researcher at Maximilian University in Germany, venturing into the world of Read More...
Boosting solar power: reflectors under panels increase efficiency
Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), announced a ground-breaking innovation to improve solar panel efficiency. By incorporating reflective surfaces beneath solar panels, the researchers increased energy output by an impressive Read More...
Scientists document the secret language of sperm whales
Sperm whales, the majestic titans of the ocean, have long captivated researchers with their complex vocalizations. Recent research revealed a stunning discovery: these marine creatures have a sophisticated communication system, similar to a "phonetic alphabet." Cracking the code: an in-depth Read More...