#stem-education — Public Fediverse posts

Packing my DIY encryption prototypes for my workshop at @inselchaos. It's a fun tech-related topic that you can explore with low-tech materials.

#inselchaos26 #InselChaos #inselchaos2026 #stemeducation #encryption #papercraft #FediLZ #stem #diy #diy_electronics

Are you a #STEMEducation teacher? I'm updating my Physical Computing (#CircuitPython) course to be AI-centric. Students learn basics & extend with AI. Draft slides of 1st lecture: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X1-05UbHIJF-BqV2Knn60KLum4tEb1pc3TDUKODM2Pw/edit?usp=sharing Students have already requested GitHub Student for Copilot use. Feedback always welcome.

Reimagining STEM Workforce Development As A Braided River
(A contemporary approach to today’s science careers looks less like a structured pipeline and more like a collection of paths that change and adapt to the needs of the individual.)
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https://eos.org/opinions/reimagining-stem-workforce-development-as-a-braided-river <-- shared technical article/commentary
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https://doi.org/10.17226/21900 <-- shared paper
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https://doi.org/10.17226/25568 <-- shared paper
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[disclaimer(s) – apart from a ‘stint’ covering a semester at MSU, I am not an education professional, with little knowledge of – say - K12. Further, I am not endorsing a specific approach, just sharing this paper and some of my personal thoughts from my professional experience(s).]
H/T @Letters To A Pre-Scientist
“The traditional “pipeline” model of workforce development - whereby an individual follows a fairly linear, predictable, and structured path through K–12, undergraduate, and graduate education into career-length government or academic positions - no longer captures the reality of a modern STEM [education and then] career. Nor does it represent the broad range of interdisciplinary and innovative opportunities that STEM professions now offer across a wide range of industries, nonprofits, and other organizations. The pipeline model has also contributed to the historical exclusion of individuals from minoritized ethnic, racial, sexual and gender identity, disability, and service status...
It is time for us to dismantle the pipeline. Instead, let’s take inspiration from the natural world we study and envision a new model that captures the opportunity, variability, and responsiveness of a modern STEM career; that embraces the diversity and experiences of the people who engage in it; that recognizes the many on-ramps, pathways, and career pivots that real life induces; and that provides a framework in which there is a place in STEM for everyone. This is the braided river model…”
#STEM #career #pipeline #workforce #workforcedevelopment #K12 #education #careerpath #learning #continuedlearning #braidedriver #professionaldevelopment #science #sciencecareers #structuredpathline #alternatives #change #adaption #STEMWorkforce #FutureOfWork #CareerPathways #TalentPipeline #STEMEducation #EducationInnovation #SkillsDevelopment #LearningEcosystems #ExperientialLearning #ReimaginingWorkforce
@EOS @American Geophysical Union

DATE: August 27, 2026 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
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TITLE: Abacus training is linked to better math and memory skills in elementary students

URL: https://www.psypost.org/abacus-training-is-linked-to-better-math-and-memory-skills-in-elementary-student/

Elementary school students who learn to calculate using a mental abacus tend to perform better on math tests than their peers. A recent study published in Learning and Individual Differences suggests that this educational technique is associated with stronger arithmetic performance. The research indicates that this math advantage is partly explained by enhanced numerical processing skills alongside improved attention and memory.

Abacus-based mental calculation is a distinct educational strategy popular in many East Asian classrooms. Students first learn to solve arithmetic problems by manipulating the beads of a physical abacus. An upper bead represents the number five, while lower beads represent the number one. Moving beads toward a central beam indicates addition, while moving them away indicates subtraction.

As students gain proficiency with the physical tool, they are taught to visualize the abacus in their minds. They begin to perform mental calculations by moving their fingers in the air, mimicking the physical manipulation of the beads. Eventually, the students rely entirely on this internal visual representation to solve complex math problems without any physical aids.

Educational psychologists generally divide the cognitive foundations of math into two categories. Domain-specific skills involve direct numerical processing, such as recognizing magnitudes and sequencing numbers. Domain-general skills encompass broader mental abilities, such as short-term memory, attention control, and spatial reasoning, which help a person maintain focus and juggle information during calculations.

Prior research has shown that abacus instruction is linked to better math scores, but the underlying cognitive pathways have remained somewhat ambiguous. To investigate how these specific and general mental skills contribute to the abacus advantage, an investigative team designed a new evaluation. The research was led by Fan Liu and Xuelian Ge of Zhejiang University, alongside colleagues from the University of Texas at Austin.

The researchers evaluated 441 elementary school children across grades one through five at three different schools in Qiqihar, China. Within each grade level, the researchers randomly selected intact classrooms to compare. Half of the participants were in classes that received two hours of abacus instruction each week, while the control group received standard math and reading exercises.

The evaluation process began with a series of arithmetic and numerical processing assessments. The students completed timed paper-and-pencil tests involving addition, subtraction, and finding missing terms in an equation. Students in the third grade and above also completed multiplication and division problems. The numerical processing portion asked children to count figures within a time limit, connect randomly distributed numbers in ascending order, and compare numerical values.

The results showed that students in the abacus group outperformed the control group in overall arithmetic skills. This advantage was observable across all five grade levels. Even first-grade students, who had only received three months of abacus instruction at the time of testing, displayed a measurable advantage in math scores over their peers. The abacus students also performed better on the numerical processing tasks, demonstrating a heightened ability to connect and compare numbers.

The researchers also looked at the students’ end-of-semester mathematics exam scores. These school-administered exams covered broader math applications, basic geometry, and complex problem-solving. The abacus group outperformed the control group on these real-world exams in grades two through five, mirroring the experimental test results and providing additional context for their academic achievement.

Next, the researchers administered a battery of nine online tests to measure domain-general cognitive abilities. These interactive tasks evaluated a wide range of mental functions. For example, spatial ability was measured by asking children to mentally rotate three-dimensional objects on a screen to find a matching shape. Cognitive flexibility was tested using a card-sorting game where students had to adapt to changing categorization rules based on color, shape, or number.

The online battery also heavily tested memory and attention. Short-term memory was evaluated by having students memorize picture pairs or repeat a sequence of flashing squares on a grid. To assess attention, students completed cancellation tasks where they had to quickly scan hundreds of numbers and cross out specific target digits within a tight time limit.

The abacus students exhibited distinct advantages in short-term memory and attention compared to the control group. However, these specific cognitive benefits did not appear uniformly across all ages. The advantages in sustained attention and memory were most pronounced in the fourth and fifth graders. This suggests that domain-general cognitive benefits might require several years of sustained abacus practice to fully emerge as an observable trait.

To understand how these different skill sets interacted, the researchers conducted statistical mediation analyses. This mathematical modeling technique helps determine whether an observed effect, like better math scores, is explained by intermediate variables, such as memory or number sense. The researchers wanted to see if the enhanced cognitive and numerical skills directly accounted for the arithmetic advantage seen in the abacus group.

The models revealed that numerical processing skills partially explained the math advantage for abacus students in grades two through five. This means the abacus training likely boosted their foundational number sense, which in turn improved their math test scores. In contrast, general cognitive skills like attention and short-term memory only acted as explanatory bridges for students in the fourth and fifth grades.

These patterns suggest a shifting developmental pathway for students learning mental abacus calculation. In the early years of elementary school, the math benefits appear strictly tied to an improved understanding of numbers and magnitudes. For first-grade students, the math advantage was not explained by these intermediate variables, suggesting that their early benefits might stem from basic physical familiarity with numbers rather than internalized cognitive changes.

As students accumulate more years of practice, the continuous mental visualization required by the abacus begins to heavily engage broader cognitive functions. Holding a mental image of shifting beads in the mind’s eye requires a robust working memory and sustained attention. Those enhanced general mental capacities then provide an additional boost to their arithmetic performance.

There are a few caveats to consider when interpreting these results. The study relied on a cross-sectional design, meaning it compared different cohorts of students at a single point in time rather than tracking the same individuals over several years. Because of this design, the researchers cannot definitively prove a causal sequence where prolonged training directly alters cognitive development over time. A longitudinal study tracking the same children from kindergarten through fifth grade would provide firmer evidence.

Additionally, the researchers compared intact classrooms rather than randomly assigning individual students to different training groups. The researchers noted that baseline testing was not conducted prior to the start of the first grade. While the first-grade control and abacus groups were comparable on most initial measures, the lack of baseline data means pre-existing differences or teacher-specific variables cannot be entirely ruled out as contributing factors to the observed outcomes.

The study, “Enhancing children’s arithmetic skills through abacus learning: contributions of numerical processing skills and domain-general cognitive abilities,” was authored by Fan Liu, Xuelian Ge, Peng Peng, Tianyong Xu, Tengfei Wang, and Feiyan Chen.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/abacus-training-is-linked-to-better-math-and-memory-skills-in-elementary-student/

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Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #AbacusLearning #MathSkills #ElementaryEducation #NumericalProcessing #WorkingMemory #AttentionControl #MentalMath #EducationalResearch #CognitiveDevelopment #STEMEducation

I put two auto-fade RGB LEDs on a spinning PC fan and wrapped some fancy reflecting paper around it. Enjoy the free trip.
This will certainly become an addon for my Spin Art Robot: https://www.voltpaperscissors.com/spinartrobot

#mastoart #creativetoots #stemeducation #diy_electronics #diy #upcycling #crafting #maker #makerspace

I often optimize my paper circuits for different age groups and time frames. The Book Lamp Workshop is especially versatile with its three different switching options.

Visit my website for instructions: https://www.voltpaperscissors.com/diybooklamp

#stemeducation #kids #diy #creativetoots #fediLZ #maker #makerspace #papercraft #papercircuit

A proud moment for ARISS! ARISS representatives Frank Bauer and Jackie Blumer accepted the Challenger-7 Recognition from Challenger Center's Mike Kincaid during the organization's 40th Anniversary celebration. Thank you for this honor and for supporting STEM inspiration worldwide. #ARISS #ChallengerCenter #STEMEducation

I starting this thing.
Please join us today for the #HBCUs on the Air net. You don't have to have an amateur radio license to check us out.
What is amateur radio?
Watch this to get a feel of the hobby:
https://youtu.be/QpCUqlChnk4

#BlackInSTEM
#BlacksInScience
#STEMEducation
#HBCUs
#amateurRadio
#hamradio #BlackMastodon

🦟 Canadian scientists pooled and re-analysed the data from 11 previous studies on links between pesticide exposure (including herbicides and insecticides) and motor neuron disease, finding that exposure was linked to a 60-70% increase in the risk of men developing the most common form, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The team says that, compared with no exposure, exposure to herbicides was linked to a 70% increase in a man's risk of developing the disease, and exposure to either insecticides or fungicides was linked with a 60% increase in risk. Interestingly, the researchers point out that there was no increased risk seen in women. It's important to note, the authors say, that this kind of study is limited by the quality of the original studies it is based on, and does not prove the pesticides caused the disease, just that the two may be linked.

Australian scientists from The University of Queensland, RMIT University, University of Sydney and Adelaide University have offered commentary on the research.

✨Follow the link to read the expert reaction✨
https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/workplace-pesticide-exposure-linked-to-motor-neuron-disease-risk

#science #ScienceNews #research #STEMEducation #facts #knowledge #sciencefacts #pesticides #insecticides #herbicides #fungicide #MND #ALS #motorneurondisease #amyotrophiclateralsclerosis

I made a canard using my 3D pen on tissue paper technique. Canards have a small foreplane instead of a tailplane. The main wing is at the far back with a vertical stabilizer at the end. The foreplane is great for trimming the flight. It is a bit easier to trim since the center of mass is between the two wings. A regular wing configuration needs nose weight for a propper flight.
But I am still experimenting and learning!

#stemeducation #stem #mint #fediLZ #paperplane #rcplanes #diy #3dprinting

Garden Buzz: Southeast Pollinator Census is this month | Opinion https://www.allforgardening.com/1905974/garden-buzz-southeast-pollinator-census-is-this-month-opinion/ #agriculture #bees #biodiversity #CitizenScience #conservation #garden #gardener #gardening #HabitatLoss #InsectDecline #NativePlants #PollinatorCensus #STEMEducation

Jacobian Conjecture for Baby

https://muchmirul.github.io/jacobian-conjecture/

Comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49011210

#HackerNews #JacobianConjecture #BabyMathematics #MathForKids #STEMEducation #HackerNews

Mathematics is the canary in the coal mine of any education system: It's a delicate pyramid that crumbles if the base is not strong.

Using IMO results, here are the countries that improved most from 2006 to 2026 and those that declined the most. Using rank percentile within each year’s field:

Most improved
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: 2.2% → 69.8% (+67.6pp)
🇲🇾 Malaysia: 22.5% → 83.6% (+61.1pp)
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan: 14.6% → 70.7% (+56.1pp)
🇧🇩 Bangladesh: 11.2% → 67.2% (+56.0pp)
🇮🇳 India: 61.8% → 94.8% (+33.0pp)

Biggest declines
🇲🇩 Moldova: 91.0% → 55.2% (−35.8pp)
🇮🇹 Italy: 87.6% → 68.1% (−19.5pp)
🇫🇮 Finland: 57.3% → 39.7% (−17.6pp)
🇩🇪 Germany: 96.6% → 83.6% (−13.0pp)
🇹🇼 Taiwan: 89.9% → 80.2% (−9.7pp)

#Mathematics #MathEducation #Education #STEM #IMO #InternationalMathematicalOlympiad #MathOlympiad #EducationPolicy #Learning #AcademicExcellence #DataVisualization #EducationResearch #GlobalEducation #SchoolEducation #STEMEducation #ProblemSolving #Innovation #FutureSkills #StudentSuccess #EducationalDevelopment #MathematicsMatters #Statistics #GlobalRankings #India #SaudiArabia #Malaysia #Bangladesh #Kyrgyzstan #Finland #Germany

Hannah Fry Wins the Leelavati Prize in 2026 for Mathematics Outreach

https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/features/professor-hannah-fry-wins-leelavati-prize

Comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49043724

#HackerNews #HannahFry #LeelavatiPrize #MathematicsOutreach #STEMEducation #InspiringWomen

I realized that Google sends most traffic to my 'basics' page, which used to be the worst place to start exploring my site 😅, so I decided to make it awesome: https://www.voltpaperscissors.com/basics

#stem #stemeducation #papercircuit #papercraft #fediLZ #diy #education #maker #makerspace #makereducation

I made a video introduction to my work. If you haven’t seen any of my videos yet, this is the perfect place to start:
https://youtu.be/JXGe0ZZCwLA

#stem #stemeducation #fedilz #maker #makereducation #diy #papercircuit #papercraft

I was out at a tech meetup last week when I mentioned I was going to a conference on stats education this week. “Sounds riveting” said someone, with the deepest sarcasm. The thing is, stats are riveting. Stats are powerful. If we’re not showing kids the magic of it all, how can we expect them to love it like we do?

Foundations of Robotics
https://ebokify.com/foundations-of-robotics/

#Robotics 🤖 | #RobotEngineering ⚙️ | #RoboticsEducation 📚 | #STEMEducation 🎓 | #Automation 🚀

This is probably the coolest DIY robot you can make by simply connecting a motor to a battery. No sensors, no Arduino, no soldering, no coding, etc.—just pure mechanics made from cardboard. I use this DIY project to teach kids the creative use of technology.

Visit my website for more: https://www.voltpaperscissors.com/lazychameleons

#robots #stem #fediLZ #diy #diy_electronics #mint #stemeducation #papercircuit #papercraft #robotics

Trenino STEM pensato, progetto, creato da una mia studentessa (alla faccia che l'ingegneria è roba per maschiacci).
Lei ha fatto tutto con tubi di plastica ma, se siete poveri, potete usare un rotolo per la carta da cucina e due rotoli di carta igienica.

https://peertube.uno/w/irQKwRpcGZAcnvxMJcQjQn

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#STEMeducation #Robotics #FSFEwomen

The Impact of Active Learning on Student Course Performance in STEM Varies by Type and Intensity: A Meta-Analysis https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/16/7/1044
"active learning’s impact on low-income and underrepresented minority students showed that achievement gaps in both exam scores and failure rates only closed in course designs where more than 66% of class time was spent in active learning"
#ActiveLearning #Teaching #STEMeducation #EdDev

Noether’s Theorem: Symmetry→Conservation Law.

Symmetries of the action imply conserved quantities per Noether's theorem.

A path q(t) is shifted by δq = φ but smoothed in transition layers τ wide at t0 and t1, where Δq̇ ≈ φ/τ. Action changes there approximate ΔS ≈ (∂L/∂q̇) Δq̇ τ ≈ −(∂L/∂q̇ φ)(t1) and ≈ +(∂L/∂q̇ φ)(t0).
Symmetry sets total ΔS = 0, hence (∂L/∂q̇ φ) is conserved from t0 to t1.

Momentum conservation's derivation from space translation symmetry and energy conservation from time translation symmetry in mechanics and physics is done by it.

#NoethersTheorem #Physics #TheoreticalPhysics #ClassicalMechanics #AnalyticalMechanics #LagrangianMechanics #Symmetry #ConservationLaws #ActionPrinciple #CalculusOfVariations #Mathematics #STEM #Science #PhysicsEducation #LearnPhysics #QuantumPhysics #FieldTheory #GeneralizedCoordinates #MomentumConservation #EnergyConservation #AngularMomentum #TheoreticalScience #PhysicsNotes #Infographic #ScienceCommunication #EducationalContent #EMNoether #MathPhysics #PhysicsStudents #STEMEducation

Active Learning Through Flexible Collaborative Exams: Improving STEM Assessments https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.01994
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Two-Stage Final Exams: An Assessment Strategy for Enhanced Collaborative Learning and Reduced Student Stress https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0047231X.2026.2620442
#STEMeducation #Teaching #EdDev