Math scores for students in schools within a mile of data centers declined

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  • Math scores for students in schools within a mile of data centers declined more than for students in schools between one and two miles away, according to Samantha Kane, a postdoctoral research associate at Brown. Her preliminary findings suggest that there is a statistically significant drop in the math scores of third graders who attend schools near the centers, which emit harmful pollutants linked to asthma and other health problems. Children in schools near more than one data center saw even sharper declines. 
  • It’s not just air pollution — noise pollution was also associated with declines in math scores, according to research by Josh Aarons, a doctoral student at the University of California San Diego. He looked at schools in “noise corridors” near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and found that the math scores of students there saw a significant decrease. That suggests schools need to invest in noise insulation in classrooms, he said.

Read more about it HERE

Sometimes you just feel like a mango

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Have you ever felt like the mango in a line of lovebirds? Sure, you look like you fit in—same general shape, same red, yellow and green coloring—but, well, you’re a mango and everyone else is a bird.

That’s how Ruby Emmerson feels at Benton Academy, where she’s starting sixth grade with her twin brother, Bryce. But while Bryce is an academic high achiever who likely will excel at the competitive charter school, Ruby’s diagnoses of dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia mean that reading, writing and math are tough for her.

And when she fails her first test at Benton, wow, does she feel like a mango. She even writes a brief blog post about it: “I dont belong at Benton Acadamy. I’m an imposter. I walk beside you in the halls every day. But I’m not smart enuff to stay much longer. Theres so much work. Im failing.”

Nathan Pieplow and Katheryn Lumsden

Nathan Pieplow (left) and Katheryn Lumsden (right) are the authors of Confessions of a Mango, a new mid-grade novel that explores questions of belonging.

Except . . . so many of her classmates relate. Just as readers likely will.

Ruby’s are the confessions in Confessions of a Mango, a mid-grade novel published this week and written by Katheryn Lumsden, a University of Colorado Boulder molecular, cellular and developmental biology alumna, and Nathan Pieplow, an associate teaching professor in the Program for Writing and Rhetoric.

There Is Hope for Children with Dyscalculia 

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f math has become a daily battle in your home, it can start to feel overwhelming.

You may be wondering:Will this always be this hard?Will my child ever “get it”?What does the future look like?

And if your child has dyscalculia—or you suspect they might—those worries can feel even heavier.

But here is what I want you to know:

There is hope. Real hope.

Dyscalculia does not define your child’s future.It does not determine their intelligence.It does not mean they can’t learn math.

It simply means they need a different approach—one that is patient, structured, supportive, and built around the way their brain processes numbers.

With the right support, children with dyscalculia can:

  • learn math skills in a way that finally makes sense
  • build confidence and reduce anxiety
  • strengthen number sense and problem-solving
  • stop feeling ashamed or “behind”
  • trust themselves again

Read it all HERE

4 Ways to Help Kids with Dyscalculia

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Many children struggle with learning disabilities that can hinder their ability to process and understand information. Dyscalculia is a developmental disorder that involves difficulty conceptualizing and performing mathematics. Kids with dyscalculia need extra support to help them stay on track in math class, handle homework, and deal with tests. Here are several practical ways that parents can help a child who struggles with dyscalculia.

See them all HERE