Education
Why A Principal Created His Own Currency
He created incentives that 11-year-olds could relate to. (Somehow, "Come to school and you'll be better off in 20 years," just wasn't working.)
Alan Alda's Challenge to Scientists: What is Time?
Alan Alda founded The Flame Challenge last year to promote better science communication, and he started by asking scientists to come up with a kid-friendly explanation for a flame. Now, Alda is back with round two of the popular contest, and kids want to know: What is time?
Who Needs College? Young Entrepreneuer Bets On Bright Idea For Solar Energy
Eden Full dropped out of Princeton to found a startup company that brings the solar panel technology she invented to developing countries as part of a fellowship. The unusual program, funded by tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel, gives young people $100,000 to skip college and focus on their work and research instead.
More Teachers 'Flipping' The School Day Upside Down
With "classroom flipping," teachers record their classroom lectures online for students to watch at home. Classroom time is then used for problem solving and homework.
New Policy For Young Immigrants Creates Paperwork Deluge
A new law provides a path to temporary legal status for some youth in the U.S. illegally, but families must produce a bevy of documentation to qualify. In California, some school districts have devised new systems to help manage the high demand for data and school transcripts.
Two Triad School Districts Win Federal Race to the Top Grants
Two North Carolina school districts are among 16 nationwide to land federal funds in the first federal Race to the Top competitive grants. In all, 372 North Carolina School districts applied for the grants, but only Guilford County and Iredell-Statesville Schools won in the highly competitive process.
To Trim Down, Spelman Trades Sports For Fitness
Officials at Spelman College, a historically black women's college in Atlanta, have decided to scrap the school's NCAA program. With few students participating in organized sports, the college has decided to devote those funds to a fitness program designed to reach the entire student body.
Satellite Colleges Setting Up Shop In Phoenix Suburbs
Phoenix suburbs are becoming a magnet for small universities. Five schools — Benedictine, Albright, Wilkes, Upper Iowa and Westminster — have announced plans for satellite campuses in downtown Mesa. And at least three more are coming to Peoria.