Education

Comets, asteroids and meteoroids are plentiful in the asteroid belt and Kuiper Belt regions of the solar system, and every once in a while, they venture near Earth.

A wide variety of books is important for raising a happy reader, but it’s not always easy to have everything kids want to read on hand. In honor of Library Week, findingDulcinea offers advice on taking a trip to the library.

Utah's elementary school language immersion programs could encourage students to live abroad, an experience that studies suggest improves creative problem-solving abilities.

Earlier this year findingEducation spoke with Joyce Valenza, an information specialist and author who manages the Springfield Township High School Library in Erdenheim, Pa. Valenza is also a blogger for School Library Journal, a former tech columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and a lecturer on education issues and technology.

Crowned by Harper’s Bazaar as “America’s Universal Mother,” and a winner of the Library of Congress Living Legend award, Marian Wright Edelman has dedicated her life to fighting for children’s rights. Working previously as a lawyer, educator, activist, lobbyist, reformer and children’s advocate, she’s earned the admiration of world leaders, politicians, parents, teachers and families as president of the Children's Defense Fund.

What’s hilarious about graduating college during a recession? The job market probably isn’t, but many graduation speeches have offered audiences a chuckle in years past. Some of them even offered hopeful words about troubled economies! Cheer yourself up with these six funny graduation addresses. They’re guaranteed to be a little more entertaining than the listings on Monster.com.

Factors such as size, campus environment, strongest departments and extracurricular options can be whittled down with some help from the Web.

David Ezra Stein's children’s books celebrate joy and simplicity, eschewing flash in favor of genuine introspection. His subtle interweaving of lessons in self-sufficiency and acceptance of change is neither intimidating nor heavy-handed. Themes of friendship and nature, seen in “Pouch!” and “Leaves” and “Monster Hug!” appeal to an international audience.

Set for an Earth Day release, the new Disney film features stunning underwater images, and can help educators broach topics like marine conservation.

Despite the abundance of digital content, book conservators around the world continue to pursue their craft. Is book conservation a dying art form or more important than ever?

In the last year, campus officials have seen a rise in campus hate crimes. Is the current political climate to blame, or do campus speech restrictions need to be reexamined?

History is full of women who never got fair credit for their brilliant ideas, heroic deeds or extraordinary work, often due to prejudice, discrimination or the social mores of their time. As Women’s History Month begins, take a look at six unsung women who deserve to be more widely celebrated and praised.

In honor of National Library Week, findingDulcinea spotlights five librarian bloggers who cover a range of important and interesting issues, including children’s media literacy, reviews of e-products for libraries, how librarians can keep their skills up to date and tips for elementary school librarians.

Work is ongoing to restore and maintain Timbuktu’s ancient texts, calling attention to past scholarship in sub-Saharan Africa, and to book restoration efforts around the world.

The online program matches donors with public school teachers who need funds for school supplies or projects. In return, donors get photos and thank-you letters detailing how their money was spent.

International students have become increasingly prevalent at prep schools in the U.S., while colleges and universities scramble to entice foreign applicants.

With more teen suicides linked to cyber bullying, some wonder whether FormSpring.me, an application that allows users to ask each other questions anonymously, is a cause for concern.

Third graders in Maine are on a quest to Web chat with third grade classrooms in every state, spotlighting the potential of Web conferencing in the academic setting.

Torrey Maldonado is an author, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Middle School 88 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a trained specialist in conflict resolution. Maldonado, who describes himself as a Black Puerto Rican, says he was inspired to become a teacher by his mother, who gave him homework she created herself, and by a few good teachers in Red Hook. Maldonado's first book, “Secret Saturdays,” will publish in April 2010. Learn more about “Secret Saturdays” at TorreyMaldonado.com.

Gettysburg is famous for its Civil War history, its 20,000-acre battlefield, dramatic stone monuments and affecting cemetery. A popular destination for schools and families with children, Gettysburg presents a wealth of educational opportunities, but is surrounded by a quaint town that allows for parental relaxation as well. Take a virtual visit to Gettysburg using the Web sites in this article, and get a pre-trip history lesson that will enhance your visit.

In 2006 the International Astronomical Union defined the term “planet” for the first time. Pluto did not meet the qualifications and was downgraded to a “dwarf planet,” or object #134340.

Congress wants to create healthier standards for all foods served in our nation’s schools, but will kids eat healthier lunches?

Saturn is one of the most recognizable planets in our solar system, yet much about the gaseous planet and its beautiful rings remains a mystery.

While studying international development in Kenya as part of his final semester at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Alex Grossi was inspired to find ways to improve the educational opportunities for students there. After returning to the U.S. and graduating from college, he and a few friends created the Kenya School Libraries Program.

If you’ve gone through the American educational system, chances are you’ve had an influential teacher. Great educators are those that inspire—they connect with students, stir enthusiasm, impart wisdom and produce understanding. We’ve tracked down a few notable professors who have extended their spheres of influence beyond their classroom doors.

When Galileo first saw Jupiter's four largest moons, he realized that Earth was not the center of the universe. Since then, we've discovered many exciting things about Jupiter's moons.

As the founder of the Global Coalition Project, Bill Reilly has united classrooms around the globe through his vision to promote peace and global understanding. A social studies teacher at Bethlehem Central Middle School in Delmar, N.Y., for the last 16 years, Reilly was named one of Disney’s Educators of the Year in 2006 for his exceptional ability to teach “real world” lessons. Two years prior, he was chosen by the American Councils for International Education to represent the United States in a Eurasian/American teacher exchange in Azerbaijan.

Our neighboring planet Mars has long been subject to Earthly questions and speculations; how much do we really know about the fourth planet from the Sun?

Students at all levels across the country are struggling to develop writing skills, making some educators turn to Web-based programs for help.

An “ultraconservative” voting bloc on the Texas Board of Education has pushed through curriculum changes that have elicited criticism from liberals and historians, and could impact the textbooks used by students outside the state.