EDUCATION

May 17 2026EDUCATION

Music program changes spark debate in Highlands schools

A proposed shift in how music classes are scheduled at Highlands schools has parents and students concerned about what might disappear from the curriculum. The debate centers on whether to consolidate certain electives that don’t have enough students to run separately, like music theory and jam band

reading time less than a minute
May 16 2026EDUCATION

A Fresh Look at the City’s New Recycling Plan

The city has rolled out a new recycling initiative that promises to cut waste by 30 percent over the next five years. Instead of announcing it first, officials chose to launch a pilot program in three neighborhoods before citywide rollout. Residents in those areas are now required to separate

reading time less than a minute
May 16 2026EDUCATION

Where the Past Meets the Sea: What Digging Revealed About Florida’s First Residents

Over two thousand years ago, long before rockets screamed into space from Cape Canaveral, Indigenous groups lived along the Atlantic coast. Today, students working near the famous launch pad are piecing together how these early Floridians spent their days. Instead of clearing fields for crops, they

reading time less than a minute
May 16 2026EDUCATION

Behind the Scenes: Two Longtime School Supporters Get Big Recognition

Two women who have quietly shaped the Highland Local Schools experience for years will finally get their moment in the spotlight. Kristine Nerlich, a high school science teacher with nearly two decades under her belt, and Koula Makris, a community volunteer since 2014, were named winners of the 2026

reading time less than a minute
May 16 2026EDUCATION

Science Fun Day: How Rides Teach Physics Better Than a Textbook

Every spring, Utah’s Lagoon amusement park turns into a giant science lab for students. Instead of just screaming on roller coasters, thousands of kids from Utah and nearby states spend the day measuring forces, testing designs, and proving how physics rules their favorite rides. The event isn’t new

reading time less than a minute
May 16 2026EDUCATION

More Books, Less Screens: How Schools Are Shifting Back to Basics

Richardson schools will cut down on screen time starting next year, replacing tablets and apps with old-school writing and books. Students in first through fourth grade will get no more than twenty minutes of screen time daily, while fifth and sixth graders are limited to half an hour. Older student

reading time less than a minute
May 16 2026EDUCATION

Students fear AI so much they’re dumbing down their own work

A student once ran their original essay through an AI detector just to check, only to see a shocking 38% match with AI-generated text. Confused, they realized the tool flagged their strong vocabulary and complex sentences as suspicious. Instead of protesting, they started replacing smart words with

reading time less than a minute
May 15 2026EDUCATION

MIT Faces Drop in Funding and Students

MIT is dealing with a sharp decline in research money and graduate numbers. Last year, federal grants fell by more than 20 percent, cutting the university’s total research budget by about 10 percent. Other sponsors have stepped up, but not enough to cover the loss from government sources. Gra

reading time less than a minute
May 15 2026EDUCATION

Kids Get Hands‑On STEM with New Breadboard Kit

A senior from Auburn University just won a $75, 000 prize for a fresh idea that makes learning electronics easier and more fun. Joseph Rusk, who studies electrical engineering at Auburn, created a startup called The BreadBoard Company. His company sells a special kit that turns the confusing p

reading time less than a minute
May 15 2026EDUCATION

Easy ways kids learn about local nature

Fourth-graders in one town now have special books and activities to explore the nature around them. A local group bought these new science books using money from a foundation. The books highlight plants and animals found right in the students’ neighborhoods. The project started when a child on a fi

reading time less than a minute