Ghana’s schools don’t teach enough about geoscience: why kids need to know how the planet works: Over the last few decades Ghana has seen a rise in environmental degradation such as pollution, deforestation and land degradation. These have been driven by urbanisation, industrialisation, carbon emissions and waste burning. Environmental problems have an impact on public …
Most secondary schools don’t have to teach the national curriculum. It should be revised and restored – or discarded: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock Each year, when new PGCE students arrive at the University of Bristol to start their journey towards becoming English teachers, I ask them to study the national curriculum. This is the statutory document prescribing what …
Female animals teach each other to choose unusual males – new research: alexroch/Shutterstock My friend recently changed their favourite celebrity crush from Anna Kendrick to Lily James. While some people could see the attraction, others might not. So, what is it that attracts us to potential mates? A new study suggests that female animals learn …
What cricket can teach us about the mind’s experience of time – and how to deal with anxiety: A battle against time itself: Australia warm up ahead of the 2009 Ashes test series. Lance Bellers/Shutterstock Bowlers playing for England and Australia in the current Ashes cricket series are collectively meant to deliver at least 540 …
Archaeologists discover ancient Mayan board game – here’s what it can teach modern educators: Games have been played for thousands of years in cultures across the world. There’s the chequerboard game Senet, played in Egypt around BCE 3100. The African cup board game Mancala has been played since BCE 1400. Chess originated in India over …
How I teach Python with open source tools: How I teach Python with open source tools Don Watkins Fri, 04/21/2023 – 03:00 I love to teach Python. I start by beginning where the learner begins. My first question is, “How would you like to learn Python?” They usually answer, “What’s Python?” That’s when I give …
Humans weren’t the first engineers, doctors and farmers – bacteria, plants and animals have lots to teach us: There are hidden worlds in nature PeopleImages.com/Yuri A/Shutterstock Life existed without human beings for more than 99.9% of Earth’s history. Yet we often ignore the achievements of species that preceded us by billions of years. I explore …
What the complicated social lives of wasps can teach us about the evolution of animal societies: The yellowjacket wasp has a reputation as a British picnic invader Denis Vesely/Shutterstock It’s spring in England. The daffodils are in full bloom. A queen yellowjacket (Vespula) wasp emerges from your loft, dopey with hibernation and hungry for nectar. …
Five things research can teach us about having better sex, according to a sex therapist: AimPix/Shutterstock Sex can be wonderful, but it can also be tricky. Science may be the furthest thing from your mind when you’re getting intimate with someone. But actually, there’s a lot we can learn from science when it comes to …
What ancient wisdom can teach businesses about sustainable finance: Sustainable finance. MEE KO DONG / Shutterstock The world of business tends to prioritise concepts of profit maximisation, economies of scale and the importance of shareholder value. As the industry has developed over centuries, these concepts have become deeply embedded in global financial systems. You can …
Cats in the middle ages: what medieval manuscripts teach us about our ancestors’ pets: Cat king, Germany, circa 1450. Scheibler’sches Wappenbuch – BSB Cod.icon. 312c Cats had a bad reputation in the middle ages. Their presumed links with paganism and witchcraft meant they were often treated with suspicion. But despite their association with the supernatural, …
What David Hockney’s new exhibition can teach us about finding beauty and joy this winter: Hockney's 25th of June 2022, Looking at the Flowers (Framed). Annely Juda Fine Art David Hockney’s new exhibition finds beauty in the most local of places: the home. His new series, 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures, is about the …
Love Island – what the show can teach young people about commitment: Love Islanders Indyah and Ikenna. ITV Plc It’s summer in the UK, which means that millions of viewers are piling onto their sofas every night to watch how the gaggle of “hot young tings” from the four corners of the UK (and Ireland) …
What Lesotho can teach Eswatini and South Africa about key political reforms: Basotho men wearing the traditional blankets during the annual horse race held on the king's birthday. EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook Two southern African countries, South Africa and Eswatini, are undergoing important reforms. South Africa is reviewing its electoral system while Eswatini is revisiting the powers …
Wagatha Christie: what the Vardy v Rooney case can teach you about avoiding libel on social media: The social media feud turned libel trial between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy has come to a close. While a judgement isn’t expected for some time, the legal battle between two media personalities married to former England footballers …
Walking is a state of mind – it can teach you so much about where you are: Walking connects you to your city. Cerqueira | Unsplash, FAL During lockdown in 2020, governments across the world encouraged people to take short walks in their neighbourhoods. Even before COVID hit though, amid the renewal of city centres …
Embracing uncertainty: what Kenyan herders can teach us about living in a volatile world: Lolampa, a Turkana herder, with his goats and sheep. Samuel Derbyshire, Author provided Loura Ekaale sits down on his carved wooden stool. He sips a cup of black instant coffee, a substance he has taken to calling his “medicine” (inexplicably, he …
The politics of Neighbours: what the Australian soap can teach us about post-Thatcher Britain: Channel 5’s decision to axe Australian soap opera Neighbours has led to widespread dismay among British people in their thirties and upwards. After 36 years on British screens, the network said it will instead invest more in “original UK drama”. Although …