Category Archives: Education

Nicole Ruble’s Newly Released “Journey to the Moon” is a Delightful Juvenile Fiction

Washington, IN, August 17, 2023 — “Journey to the Moon”: a delightful message of the importance of chasing one’s dreams. “Journey to the Moon” is the creation of published author Nicole Ruble, a dedicated pastor’s wife and devoted mother who is the Chief Character Officer for TrueScripts Management Services.

Ruble shares, “Gabe and Manny seek to do something no child has ever done… embark upon an incredible ‘journey to the moon!’ Capturing the attention of their entire community, they silence their critics and overcome the greatest of odds! Their story overflows with suspense, steely determination, and a relentless pursuit of success.

“Using his analytical mind, ten-year-old Gabe is driven to conquer his dream of visiting the moon. Joining forces, Gabe enlists the help of his little brother Manny in this top secret mission. Manny finds himself in unfamiliar territory, accomplishing feats only NASA scientists have mastered. A nosy neighbor girl makes every effort to wreck the team’s dream. The challenge forces the brothers to embrace the unthinkable!

“In this feel-good adventure, peers and friends within the tiny Indiana community watch as the Galaxy Explorers attempt their dangerous voyage. Hold on to your hats, because anticipation builds and excitement explodes in this inspirational story that encourages young readers to follow their dreams! Will the CSS 2000’s fledgling flight end in sweet success or the agony of defeat?”

Dr. Stacy L. McDonald’s Newly Released “Togi’s Adventures: The Big Move!” is a Creative Tale of a Computer Mouse’s Fears About Moving

Jupiter, FL, August 17, 2023 — “Togi’s Adventures: The Big Move!”: a charming and unique educational story. “Togi’s Adventures: The Big Move!” is the creation of published author Dr. Stacy L. McDonald, an educator and artist who studied at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) majoring in instructional leadership, graduating with a doctorate in education, and a minor in brain-based learning.

Dr. McDonald shares, “Partners on a successful team think alike!

“This story tells of an adventure of a computer mouse, Togi, who goes on an adventure in THE BIG MOVE!

“Moving is not easy, and Togi is no exception. While Togi moves from a corporate office to a home office, the reader learns about a computer mouse and its parts, functions, and how it moves. Togi, the mouse, can point, select, hover, scroll, drag-and-drop, and open and close a program on the computer. The mouse controls the movement of the cursor on the computer screen and allows users to move and select folders, text, files, and icons on a computer.

“Togi had been so excited at first! Then Togi got a little scared. In the end, though, Togi was so happy to have completed this move with Stacy! Stacy let Togi explore the new mouse pad rolling around gently. The new mouse pad was blue with a beautiful ocean scene! Togi felt like they were going to the beach every day, and this idea was very relaxing. Sometimes Stacy celebrated with Togi! She would lift Togi and dance around the room singing a celebration song just because she was happy also!”

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dr. Stacy L. McDonald’s new book will entertain young imaginations as they learn about what a mouse can do as well as find a way to express their thoughts about the idea of moving homes.

Gold Sponsor Orbica Supports the Space for Planet Earth Challenge 2023

Auckland, New Zealand, August 16, 2023— SpaceBase, a New Zealand based education and consulting social enterprise, announces partnership with Orbica Global Limited, a leading geospatial AI platform provider excelling at exposing insights from satellite data. Orbica is an Amazon World Services (AWS) Partner, a global leader in cloud computing. Orbica will be providing the use of their geospatial data platform – a service that aggregates open sourced satellite data from various sources and provides easy access and analysis tools for users. Through Orbica, AWS will provide cloud compute access offering scalable and secure computing power for processing large amounts of data. Both organizations are the latest in-kind sponsors for the “Space for Planet Earth Challenge 2023,” a competition that leverages satellite data to address climate change.

The Space Challenge aims to identify target areas for methane emissions on Earth, one of the major contributors to global warming. The challenge is open to students and innovators across New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands.
Some of the key features of the challenge are:

Two categories: high school level and university/start-up level
Qualified teams will participate in an online research incubator that will include learning about remote sensing and data analysis, as well as design thinking and prototyping
Shortlisted teams will pitch and demo their ideas during the closing event on 15 March 2024
Grand prize winners will win up to $25,000 NZD
Proposals to participate in the incubator programme can be submitted online until 31 August 2023.

“The Space for Planet Earth Challenge is a great opportunity for young people and innovators to use space technology to solve real-world problems,” said Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, CEO of SpaceBase. “We are very grateful to Orbica and AWS for providing their platform and cloud services to support the teams who will participate in the Challenge Incubator programme.”

“Orbica is proud to sponsor this challenge and enable the ecosystem to innovate and scale New Zealand and Pacific IP to tackle the big challenges humanity faces,” said Kurt Janssen, CEO and Founder of Orbica.

For more information on participating and submitting a proposal, visit the Space for Planet Earth Challenge website or contact info@spacebase.co.

The challenge is made possible by SpaceBase Limited and its partners across the Pacific region. Sponsors include K1W1 Ventures, NZ Space Agency – MBIE, Australian Space Agency, Callaghan Innovation, Rich Bodo via the Gift Trust, Auckland Space Institute, Outset Ventures, Auckland Unlimited, and Aerospace Auckland.

FetchFind and World Pet Association Partner to Transform Pet Industry Education

Las Vegas, NV, August 16, 2023 –FetchFind is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with The World Pet Association (WPA) to be unveiled at SUPERZOO in Las Vegas. This collaboration marks a new era of pet industry education by linking brands with a vast network of retail and pet care professionals through FetchFind’s state-of-the-art learning platform. Since 2016, FetchFind has been thousands of pet businesses’ preferred online training platform, offering hundreds of hours of innovative, industry-specific training.

WPA President Vic Mason emphasizes, “This partnership is not just about expansion; it’s about revolutionizing how the pet industry learns. Together with FetchFind, we’re creating a future where quality education is accessible to all, and brands can connect with the retailers and professionals shaping pet care. We’re not just changing the industry but setting a new standard for quality education, a longtime objective for the WPA.”

FetchFind offers brands a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse audience of pet industry professionals. By engaging with FetchFind’s learners, brands provide accurate product education, build a network of brand advocates, reach targeted audiences, and drive sales growth.

FetchFind CEO Jamie Damato Migdal adds, “By joining forces with WPA, we’re extending our role as the industry’s centralized education platform, leveraging cutting-edge technology and gamified learning to offer an incredible opportunity for brands to connect with pet retailers and pet service professionals in a robust industry-focused learning platform.”

FetchFind has already begun adding exhibitors to the platform for attendee product education at the 2024 SUPERZOO on a first-come, first-serve basis. Early movers include KONG, BrightPet, West Paw, Pet Pasta, Canidae, Northwest Naturals, Neater Pets, Orijen, Wash Bar, Bass Brushes, and over 80 others.

SUPERZOO attendees are invited to visit FetchFind at booth #1682 for an exclusive look at the partnership’s innovative new platform. Stop by for a quick platform demonstration, and get on the FetchFind brand showcase waiting list for next year’s show.

Cal Coast Cares Foundation Awards Over $160,000 in Student Scholarships

San Diego, CA, August 14, 2023 –The Cal Coast Cares Foundation has awarded more than $160,000 in scholarships to support college-bound high school seniors, foster students and current college students in San Diego or Riverside Counties.

The non-profit foundation presented $2,000 scholarships to 59 local students who are pursuing higher education and have proven a commitment to academic excellence and leadership in the community. This year’s awardees include 19 foster youth, and the recipients of first-year foster student scholarships will also be eligible for second-year scholarships by continuing to meet the requirements. Additionally, the foundation recently awarded a total of $49,000 to local community college and university students.

Since its inception in 2015, the Cal Coast Cares Foundation has awarded more than $930,000 in scholarships and educator grants.

“Our mission at the foundation is to help local students achieve their dream of attaining a college degree and to help educators provide additional innovative learning experiences for their students. This support is crucial as the cost of education and other expenses continue to increase,” said Rene McKee, Cal Coast Credit Union Senior Vice President, Community & Public Relations and Foundation Board Member.

International Teachers’ Olympiad (ITO) 2023 Announced, 3 Lakh Teachers to Register from 10,000 Schools Globally

The 2023 edition of the International Teachers‘ Olympiad (ITO)the largest multinational olympiad for teachers was announced recently. After a successful edition in 2022, ITO 2023 is estimated to have registrations from over 300,000 teachers from 10,000+ schools across 45+ countries. Organized by Suraasa (the world’s leading career growth platform for teachers), ITO provides a platform for teachers to receive well-deserved recognition, professional development guidance, international exposure, and huge cash rewards.

Registrations for ITO 2023 open on 15th August 2023 and can be completed online via https://suraasa.co/international–teachers–olympiad at a nominal registration fee of INR 549. The Olympiad will be held on 7th October 2023. All teachers aspiring, in-service, and retired are eligible to register. During the Olympiad, teachers would undergo a one-hour assessment. Based on their performance, they receive a confidential pedagogy report highlighting what they’re good at & where they can improve. They also receive growth plans for the next 6 months. These plans act as a roadmap to track their progress, guiding them towards becoming even more effective educators.

In 2022, the initiative witnessed registrations from over 68,000+ teachers from 5500+ schools across 30+ countries. Cash prizes of INR 20 Lakhs were distributed to the top teachers. The upcoming edition promises to be even more rewarding, with total cash prizes up to INR 30 Lakhs up for grabs.

Rishabh Khanna, Founder & CEO, Suraasa, expressed his excitement for the Olympiad, stating, “ITO celebrates teachers and aims to provide them the respect and recognition they deserve on a global platform. Teachers have loved the idea and are rushing to put their names on the registration waitlist. The Olympiad established itself as an ultimate tool for teachers to discover their true teaching potential in 2022 and will do it again in 2023. The idea is to make it an annual reflection and progress measurement opportunity for teachers.”

Maria Virginia, a participant from ITO 2022 and a School Teacher from Telangana, said, “Participating in the Olympiad not only allowed me to gauge my abilities as an educator but also offered valuable insights into areas where I can improve and grow.”

In addition to the benefits for individual teachers, ITO also benefits schools. Schools of participating teachers will receive a separate report of their teachers’ combined teaching competencies. The report will outline the PD areas for each school that require more focus. This data-aware approach to professional development will support schools and teachers in improving the overall educational quality offered at their institutions.

Geeta Varshneya, Director of a Global School in India, shares, “I am thoroughly impressed with the Olympiad as it delves deep into pedagogy, a crucial aspect often lacking in traditional teacher training programs. It provides a valuable opportunity for those genuinely seeking to improve their teaching skills to receive feedback and support.”

By recognizing and celebrating deserving teachers, ITO places them at the heart of the education transformation. It’s encouraging to see all stakeholders responding very positively to the initiative. Its impact ripples across classrooms and learning communities, ultimately setting new standards and nurturing a progressive educational landscape.

Unity in Diversity: The Shri Ram Wonder Years, Sector – 13, Rohini, Commemorates 77th Independence Day

The Shri Ram Wonder Years immersed in patriotism as it marked the 77th Independence Day with an awe-inspiring event, “एक भारत, श्रेष्ठ भारत”, in the school auditorium. The event witnessed a magnificent showcase of India’s unity in diversity, portrayed through various engaging performances and presentations by students under the teachers’ guidance. The celebration was graced by the chief guest, Ms. Sunita Arora, Associate Vice President, SEL.

The celebration commenced with a warm welcome and a heartwarming “Tulsi Watering” ceremony symbolising growth and nurture by Pyare Kadam. Numerous performances, including a mesmerising musical and dance presentation, celebrating the essence of India’s diverse culture, representing the different states of India and freedom fighters of the country, paying tribute to the nation’s rich heritage, etc., were presented by students of Nanhe Kadam, Pyare Kadam, and Badhte Kadam.

Students of Pehle Kadam showcased India’s national symbols, embodying the pride and unity that these symbols represent. The event culminated with the “Words of Wisdom” by Ms. Sunita where she appreciated students’ hard work. Parents extended their support towards the school, and students shared poignant insights about the significance of Independence Day, reminding everyone of the sacrifices made for the nation’s freedom.

Ms. Shubhi Soni Principal, The Shri Ram Wonder Years, commented, “Our Independence Day celebration embodies the spirit of ‘Unity in Diversity,’ fostering a sense of national pride and shared heritage among our students. Through these performances, we aimed to instill a deep appreciation for our country’s history and its visionary leaders. With a commitment to excellence in education, we wish to impart values and create responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.”

Kangaroo Kids unveils 2-week trial pilot programme for children to experience transformative education

Mumbai, August 11, 2023: This Independence Day, Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, India’s No. 1 Premium International Preschool Brand, is inviting all parents to avail a 2-week free trial pilot programme at their nearest Kangaroo Kids centre. The pilot program is designed for parents who have not yet enrolled their child in Kangaroo Kids preschool. This free trial programme aims to introduce parents to the Kangaroo Kids curriculum, teaching methodologies, pedagogy, and learning environment. Through this programme, Kangaroo Kids encourages all parents to take steps towards contributing to their children’s independence by providing them with transformative early childhood education.

The programme is designed for children aged between 2-6 years and will run till August 20. 100+ centres from across the country will be running this programme for a duration of 2 weeks. Kangaroo Kids aims to equip young minds with the right future skills and habits of the mind to harness their inner selves, building the next independent generation for India.

The brand recently marked the milestone of completing 30 years in transforming the face of early childhood education in India. Kangaroo Kids is known for its path-breaking pedagogy and learner-centric approach. The brand also introduced the new age iCan learning system, which has been developed to prepare children for an ever-changing world. The brand’s high-quality early childhood education programme provides children with multiple levels of simulation, support, and cultivation as an early advantage.

Speaking on the launch of free trial pilot programme, KVS Seshasai, CEO, Pre-K Division, Lighthouse Learning, said, “At Kangaroo Kids, we believe that a strong foundation is the cornerstone of a child’s educational journey. Our two-week free trial pilot program will enable parents to witness first-hand how our approach sets the stage for lifelong learning. Kangaroo Kids is more than just nurturing academic prowess; it’s about cultivating the seeds of inquisitiveness and building the future skills and habits of mind that will empower children to flourish in an ever-evolving environment. By immersing themselves in our dynamic environment, parents can make informed decisions about their child’s educational future.”

In addition to the curriculum, the brand’s success in leading transformative early childhood education in India can be attributed to the best-in-class teacher-child ratio of 1:6 for personalised attention, specially curated spaces for an enhanced learning experience, and enrichment programmes for extended learning at home.

Unique sustainability modules of Blue Nudge to reach over 5000 schools in 5 years

New Delhi 11 August, 2023: Having already collaborated with more than 1000 schools across the country in less than two years, the unique need-based modules of Education to Action platform, Blue Nudge, is targeting to extend its reach to 5000+ schools in five years, covering all states of India. The strategy of the Blue Nudge module revolves around combining storytelling with real-life actions. By reflecting on current scenarios and implementing tangible measures, the company eyes to create an impactful learning experience that inspire individuals to take action for positive change in waste management and environmental sustainability.

“Within a short span of time, our sustainability modules have witnessed a positive response from schools and parents who eagerly embrace our platform. There is a clear demand for promoting waste management and environmental sustainability in education. Going forward, we anticipate our modules will foster a sense of environmental responsibility and empower a proactive generation to address waste management challenges and build a sustainable future,” noted Co-founder and CEO of Blue Nudge, Harsh Mehrotra.

Blue Nudge embarked on the mission to integrate sustainability with the academic curriculum, and the organization’s collaborations with educational institutions have had a profound impact on inspiring young minds to become change-makers for a sustainable future. Blue Nudge has also partnered with the Department of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, to implement a waste management drive in over 1000 government schools.

Furthermore, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a circular for Delhi/NCR, endorsing Blue Nudge’s approach and further spreading the message of environmental responsibility among the student community. Blue Nudge’s strategic collaboration with the Delhi – S&T Cluster of PSA, facilitated the company to extend its drive to colleges affiliated with Delhi University, reaching even more students and empowering them to actively participate in waste management efforts. Collectively, these collaborations resulted in the collection of over 50+ tonnes of dry waste, including paper and plastic, and played a pivotal role in inspiring a new generation of environmentally-conscious individuals.

Highlighting the impacts of Blue Nudge’s sustainability modules, Mr Mehrotra mentioned, “A tangible measure of success is seen in students actively participating in the process of bringing dry waste back to school, which is then up-cycled into school benches and donated to government schools. While behavior change is a long-term process, we take pride in the efforts made by both students and parents in contributing to waste management, showcasing their growing awareness and commitment to creating a sustainable future.”

As a part of Blue Nudge’s sustainability programs, over 5,00,000 students started practicing source segregation at home and brought segregated waste in the form of plastic and paper into school. Blue Nudge’s immersive dedication to the waste management field was also recognized by NITI Aayog, as they selected its initiative as one of the top 75 ideas under their Mission Life. This recognition further validates the company’s commitment to fostering a climate-conscious society. Notably, Blue Nudge also expanded its drive to include prominent forces like the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

NetApp and Ammada Trust to Provide Clean Water Solutions for Schools

BENGALURU, India. — August 10, 2023: NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company, today announced its partnership with Ammada Trust, an NGO that works to address the needs of those living in extreme squalor, poverty, hunger, and deprivation. The partnership will support the noble cause of providing clean water solutions for 15 government schools in Bengaluru.

NetApp’s collaboration with Ammada Trust will establish sustainable water solutions in, low-income schools, where the need for clean water is most critical. “Access to clean drinking water is one of the most basic requirements for human beings but still not available to many. It is said that the lack of clean water is one of the challenges that will become more pronounced with time and needs to be dealt with on an urgent basis.

Through the partnership with Ammada, we are looking to positively impact the health of not only students and staff but also their families,” said Puneet Gupta, Vice President & Managing Director, NetApp India/SAARC. “Going beyond the installation, we have also implemented a continued engagement plan to ensure proper functioning and timely maintenance of the water purifiers.”

The engagement plan includes frequent visits to schools and hostels, conducting system inspections, providing training in record keeping, offering recommendations for preventive and corrective measures, and taking care of repair and maintenance tasks.

Earlier in a similar effort, NetApp aided 10 tribal girls’ schools in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, impacting 800 girl students in the district. Through their works in Vidisha and now in Bengaluru, it is estimated that the safe drinking water initiative will directly benefit well over 6000 people including students and staff. It will also lead to improved future outcomes for an additional 15,000 members of students’ families.

UNICEF emphasises that providing clean water at schools is one of the most effective practices to enhance access to education and improve learning outcomes. Community awareness on the link between poor water quality and health issues is another key aspect of this association, promoting the health benefits and cost savings of clean drinking water.