The School District of Philadelphia has kicked off Computer Science Education Week with an hour of coding at John H. Taggart School, highlighting the district's efforts to enhance digital literacy. Over the past 15 years, the district has invested $3.1 million to upgrade labs in 45 schools, creating digital literacy labs in 132 schools.

A University of Georgia study led by education professor Georgia Hodges found that an anatomy-focused video game, "Virtual Vet," helped elementary students score higher in science than peers taught through traditional lessons. Researchers say the game can keep students engaged and build problem-solving skills, but teachers remain essential to guide instruction and support learning.

A report from the University of California at San Diego highlighting a rise in students needing remedial math has sparked debate over university admissions standards and grade inflation in high schools. However, research by economist Zachary Bleemer challenges the "mismatch theory," which suggests that underprepared students are harmed by attending selective schools, showing it is largely unsupported by evidence and suggesting that limiting access may actually hinder students' success.

"[G]irls do better at math in school, but boys do better on high-stakes math tests and are more likely to pursue math-intensive careers," university professors Sarah Lubienski, Colleen Ganley and Martha Makowski say, bringing together the results of three different studies. That's because females are much more likely to solve problems using standard, step-by-step algorithms, while males typically favor mental shortcuts and inventive approaches -- habits that carry into adult years, leading more men to pursue math-intensive careers that rely on creativity, the authors assert.

Cornell University is advancing the Earth Source Heat project to heat its campus with geothermal energy by 2035. The initiative involves drilling deep wells to access heat from 2 miles underground, a challenging task in upstate New York's rocky geology. Unlike typical geothermal projects, Earth Source Heat focuses solely on heating, rather than generating electricity. "We can't decarbonize without solving the heat problem," says project manager Wayne Bezner Kerr.

The National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource pilot program, administered by the National Science Foundation, has supported almost 600 research projects by providing access to shared computing and data infrastructure, AI software and tools. Sandra Gesing of the US Research Software Engineers Association notes that the program's unique collaboration among universities, federal agencies, and industry partners has accelerated research in fields such as epilepsy care and agricultural robotics.