EDUCATION

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

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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

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May 16 2026POLITICS

Higher Learning: Who Really Benefits From Diversity Rules?

Colleges keep finding sneaky ways to keep race-based admission policies alive even after the Supreme Court said they were illegal. The twist? Medical schools now tie funding to reaching certain diversity targets – but studies show those targets don’t actually help patients. Schools push teachers to

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May 16 2026SPORTS

Local schools shine in track and field as new sports facilities open

Two high school teams made headlines this weekend by winning county championships, just as their schools prepared for major upgrades. Ocean City’s girls team and Egg Harbor Township’s boys team took top honors at the Atlantic County meet, proving their strength in hurdles and sprints. Brianna Growal

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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

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May 16 2026SCIENCE

How a Teen’s Love for Mushrooms Could Clean Up Our Mess

Finnegan Miller didn’t just grow up loving science—he grew up wanting to fix things with it. While other kids his age were testing video games or scrolling through memes, he was peering at fuzzy mold on old fruit in his kitchen. That early curiosity about fungi didn’t fizzle out. Instead, it turned

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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

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May 16 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Big concerts pop up at the World Cup to raise cash for schools

This summer’s World Cup is mixing sports with music to pull in cash for education. One group has booked a huge stage during halftime that would normally be empty. They’ve convinced pop stars like Madonna, Shakira and global group BTS to perform — something rarely seen at soccer matches. The plan is

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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

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May 15 2026SPORTS

Global Cup Show: Music, Soccer and a Push for School Funds

Global Citizen is setting up the biggest halftime show in World Cup history, a plan that mixes pop stars and football to fund education for kids worldwide. The event will feature names like Madonna, Shakira, BTS and the Coldplay singer Chris Martin, who helped design the show. The goal is to channel

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