The hottest STEM Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

My School Experimented with ‘Education Equity.’ It Failed.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1381 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🚌 Education Equity Teaching Learning STEM
  1. Mixing high-achieving and low-performing students in the same classes didn't work as intended. It led to negative outcomes for students who were doing well.
  2. The idea behind the 'multilevel classrooms' was to help students transition easily between different levels of difficulty. However, it was challenging to teach when students had very different skill levels.
  3. Though the mixed-class approach had some success in certain subjects, it struggled in STEM and language classes where a strong foundation is needed. Teachers found it hard to meet everyone's needs.

The Royal Society at a Crossroads: Scientific Merit versus Political Conformity

Heterodox STEM • 106 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🔬 Science STEM Political issues Public Trust
  1. There is a debate about whether someone like Elon Musk should be kept as a Fellow of the Royal Society due to his political statements and actions. Some people believe his scientific achievements should matter more than his opinions.
  2. The discussion raises concerns about mixing politics with science. It highlights the importance of judging scientific work fairly, based on its merit, rather than personal beliefs.
  3. The Royal Society faces pressure to prioritize political views over scientific excellence. How they respond could set an important example for scientific communities everywhere.

“Merit-Based Science Is Effective and Fair”: How Such a Banal Idea Has Become Controversial

Heterodox STEM • 213 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🔬 Science STEM Meritocracy Publishing Education Ideology
  1. Merit-based science has significantly improved our lives by leading to important inventions and medical advancements. It relies on rewarding talent and hard work, enabling people from various backgrounds to succeed.
  2. There is a growing concern about the influence of ideology on science, especially with movements pushing for diversity and equity. Some believe these changes hinder the scientific process and meritocracy.
  3. Despite claims of bias in science, studies suggest that many of these allegations lack strong evidence. Some researchers argue that society has made progress in creating equal opportunities in STEM fields.

Putting the "M" in STEM

The Bell Ringer • 239 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🚌 Education STEM Math Learning Curriculum Achievement
  1. Math is really important in STEM fields, but schools need to focus more on improving math skills. We need better math education to succeed in science and technology.
  2. Many people talk a lot about STEM, but they often overlook how crucial math is to it. If we want to see progress, math achievement needs to be a priority in education.
  3. To get students excited about STEM, we should encourage a strong foundation in math from an early age. This can help build confidence and interest in science and technology careers.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Can parents save math?

The Bell Ringer • 159 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🚌 Education STEM Parenting Learning Assessment Equity
  1. More math education can help get more students into STEM fields. Parents believe that improving math is a fair way to provide opportunities.
  2. A group of parents in California is advocating for better math programs in schools. They think this will help kids who want to succeed in science and technology.
  3. Investing in math education is seen as important for the future. Parents want to ensure all students have the chance to excel in these subjects.

The science of reading, a sense of urgency

The Bell Ringer • 119 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🚌 Education STEM Literacy
  1. Schools need to focus on what really helps students learn. It's important to prioritize the most effective methods for teaching reading.
  2. There is a pressing need to improve education practices based on solid research. Educators should act quickly to implement what works best.
  3. Understanding how reading works can lead to better teaching strategies. This knowledge can help create a better learning environment for all students.

Replay: Putting the "M" in STEM

The Bell Ringer • 59 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🚌 Education STEM Mathematics Learning Achievement Podcast
  1. Math is an important part of STEM education and needs more focus. It's often overlooked, but it is essential for understanding science and technology.
  2. Encouraging students in math can help close the achievement gap. When students feel supported in math, they tend to perform better overall.
  3. There are resources and strategies available to help improve math learning. Schools and educators can use various tools to make math more engaging for students.

Making Math

SCIENCE GODDESS • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Math Science STEM Craft Education
  1. Crochet Coral Reef project combines art, craft, and STEM to engage people in science communication
  2. Bias against material play and embodied cognition can hinder funding for alternative STEM engagement methods
  3. Using hands-on activities like crocheting can help make math and science more accessible and engaging for a wider audience

How STEM is Sleepwalking into Wokery

Heterodox STEM • 270 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🚌 Education STEM Academia Science Identity politics
  1. STEM education is facing challenges with the introduction of ideologies like 'Indigenous science', leading to a shift in traditional approaches.
  2. University environments are becoming increasingly focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion, which can sometimes lead to conflict with academic freedom and rational discourse.
  3. There is a concern among some STEM professors about the impact of ideological pressures on teaching quality, mental health, and innovation within academic environments.

Women in Space: #EmbraceEquity

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🔬 Science Space Women Technology Education STEM
  1. Women make up only about 20-22% of the space industry workforce, and only 12% of all astronauts have been women. We need to work together to change this.
  2. Successful women in space and tech inspire others to join the field. Recognizing their achievements can encourage girls to explore careers in these areas.
  3. Organizations are helping to support women in space careers, showing that having more diverse voices leads to better innovation and exploration in the industry.

STEM teaching deserves recognition

Science Forever • 39 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🚌 Education STEM Teaching Higher Ed Workforce Recognition
  1. Recognizing STEM teaching as a distinct workforce is important for addressing issues like racism, sexism, misconduct, and underrepresentation in the science field.
  2. Institutions struggle to balance the value of research and teaching, often favoring research in resource allocation and decision-making.
  3. Defining undergraduate teaching staff as a separate workforce could improve governance, professional development opportunities, and evaluation criteria, ultimately benefiting both educators and institutions in the long run.

Interview with Alondra Nelson

Science Forever • 39 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Making Equity Diversity STEM
  1. Alondra Nelson focused on improving trust and transparency in science policy during her leadership at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasizing the importance of restoring trust and being more transparent in government work.
  2. She highlighted the need for scientists to engage with broader societal contexts, advocating for scientists to consider the social implications of their work, especially in the intersection of science and society.
  3. Nelson prioritized advancing equity in the scientific workforce and grant-making, underscoring the significance of coordinated efforts across various government agencies and partnerships to drive meaningful change towards STEM equity and inclusion.

The Human Side of Exclusion in the Name of Diversity...

Critical Mass • 27 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Discrimination Injustice STEM Academia
  1. The personal impact of exclusion in the name of diversity at universities and scientific institutions can be powerful.
  2. Individuals may experience demoralization and setbacks in their career due to discriminatory practices.
  3. Senior and respected scientists should speak out against demoralizing bigotry and discrimination in the field of science.

Teaching Innovative Entrepreneurship

New Things Under the Sun • 2 HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education Entrepreneurship STEM Innovation Training Mentorship
  1. Entrepreneurship training programs overall show a modest but positive impact on encouraging people to start a business and improving outcomes.
  2. Programs targeted towards science and engineering undergraduates have shown mixed results, with some studies indicating a small impact on entrepreneurial intentions.
  3. Highly selective programs for technology ventures, with intensive mentoring and networking opportunities, have demonstrated more compelling results in increasing entrepreneurship rates and success.

The 24-hour Day That Isn't 24 Hours, Did You Know?

Stemble - for the love of STEM! • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🔬 Science Astronomy Physics STEM
  1. Earth's rotation isn't a perfect 24-hour day due to its speed variations caused by gravitational interactions with the Moon and Sun.
  2. The time taken for the Earth to spin once on its axis relative to distant stars is 23h 56m 4.1s, but it needs an extra 3m 55.9s to complete a 24-hour solar day relative to the Sun.
  3. Leap seconds are added to our timekeeping to adjust for Earth's inconsistent rotation speed, managed by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service.

[Scholarship] Women Techmakers Scholars Program

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 17 May 17
🚌 Education Scholarship STEM Women in Tech Diversity Leadership
  1. Women Techmakers Scholars Program offers cash awards to selected female undergraduate and graduate students based on diversity impact, leadership, and academic background.
  2. Scholarship recipients get a chance to attend the Women Techmakers Scholars' Retreat at Google's Asia Pacific offices for networking and workshops.
  3. The application deadline for the Women Techmakers Scholars Program is May 22, 2017.