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How This 16-Year-Old Learned To Run A Barber Shop Using Only YouTube
Two years ago, Amaar picked up the scissors and started learning how to cut hair. Urged by his mother to find a hobby, he turned to YouTube tutorials and got hands-on experience at his friend's barber shop. Practicing on his father and brother, despite their occasional reluctance, he sharpened his skills in the comfort of his bedroom. Today, Amaar runs his own barber shop called Fade Fusion in Stirchley, Birmingham. Reflecting on this achievement, he described it as an incredible phase in his life. "Having people leave the chair with a massive smirk on their face makes me happy and I've made a lot more friends from cutting hair," Amaar shared. The shop has become a popular spot among Amaar's friends who enjoy hanging out while getting haircuts. "They all love this place and come down for haircuts; we all have close bonds and they help out as well," he noted. The idea of having his own shop came from a surprise gesture by his father, Burhaan. He converted one of his buildings into a workspace for Amaar. Burhaan expressed pride in his son's achievements: "I'm very proud of him; my father runs his own business and I've been self-employed since day one, so it looks like he's going in the same direction." Burhaan has watched Amaar grow over the years; now he trusts only him with cutting his hair. Amaar acknowledged this support saying, "I owe a lot to him but I've also built this from the ground up." This summer, Amaar is working full-time at the shop alongside his friend Ollie. In September, he'll juggle work with a barbering apprenticeship as he continues to hone his craft. Looking ahead, Amaar aims to expand Fade Fusion across Birmingham and eventually throughout the UK. "I would like to cut a lot of footballers' hair and other barbers that I look up to on YouTube like VicBlends," he said.
Score (96)
This Assistant Principal and Student Shared a Heartwarming Birthday Celebration Caught on Camera
When Arnold Ford arrived at work on his birthday, he knew it was going to be special. He and one of his students, Cali, share the same birthday, and Ford was prepared for a festive day. As Cali rushed down the hallway at Mastery Charter School, Mann Elementary in West Philadelphia, Ford set aside his backpack, scooped her up joyfully, and spun her around. The pair then raced off together so Cali could hand over a balloon and cupcake she had saved for him. This heartwarming moment caught on security cameras has been spreading smiles across social media. Sharing the video on Instagram, Ford expressed gratitude: "I’m so grateful to God for allowing me to see another year," he wrote. "I’m even more grateful that LOVE continues to be the centerpiece of my entire life." Ford further noted how special it was to share a birthday with one of his favorite students. In return for her thoughtful gifts, Cali received permission to dress casually that day; a fair trade in Ford's view. The online community reacted warmly to the video. One commenter humorously asked if they could have an elementary school experience do-over because of such a positive environment. Another remarked on how loved the students must feel daily around Mr. Ford. No one else appeared surprised by this joyous interaction, an indication that Ford's enthusiasm is part of the daily fabric at Mann Elementary. In an interview with Upworthy, Ford emphasized the importance of celebrating with students and families: "[Cali's] birthday is a big deal to her, and so is mine. We talk about it ALL year." Educators like Arnold Ford play a significant role in shaping positive school experiences by showing genuine care and enthusiasm for their students' lives beyond academics. This reciprocal relationship fuels his passion for teaching: "We get so much more than we ever put out," he said. Ford embraces this approach under his mantra "Love is the curriculum," focusing on positivity and joy in his interactions with students. His dedication exemplifies how educators can transform schools into nurturing spaces where children feel valued and motivated. Inspiring moments like these highlight why teachers like Arnold Ford deserve recognition, and perhaps some balloons and cupcakes themselves, for their unwavering commitment to enriching children's lives every day through education.
Score (98)
How Tiktok Is Empowering Young Farmers To Break The Silence On Mental Health
That “something” became a growing presence on social media, where Tom shares videos of farmers opening up about their own struggles, while offering advice and emotional support to others in the industry. He said social media was a natural place to reach other young farmers: “Almost every young person uses social media. And when you're alone on the farm, you often find yourself scrolling through TikTok or Instagram.” Since launching the account in 2022, his videos have steadily gained traction. Over the past year, they’ve picked up momentum—thanks in part to the rise of “farming content creators” online. “Farming content creators have become really popular this year, and it's great for young farmers as it gives them role models to watch and learn from,” Tom said. “We try and get these creators onto our platform talking about mental health, so young farmers who might otherwise feel alone become more connected to the community.” The videos range from personal stories to practical advice on recognising when a colleague might be in trouble, or how to spot those signs in yourself. His goal is to spark honest conversations, build connection, and reduce stigma. Research from the Farm Safety Foundation backs up the urgency of his mission: 95% of young farmers believe poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry, the charity said. Tom wants to take things further. His long-term goal is to turn the initiative into a registered charity and build a dedicated support network for young people entering the field. “I want to create an environment for young farmers—and all farmers—to feel supported,” he said. “Even helping one person is a success to me, but the more we can help, the better.”
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Nasa's Game-Changing Radar Will Uncover Earth's Hidden Secrets from Space
A powerful new satellite launched on July 30 is set to transform how we monitor Earth’s shifting landscapes — from crumbling glaciers to storm-hit coastlines to the slow creep of deforestation. The NISAR satellite, a joint project between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will orbit the Earth for at least three years, scanning nearly every landmass and ice sheet twice every 12 days. Short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, the mission marks the first hardware collaboration between the two agencies on an Earth-observing satellite — and it’s equipped with the most advanced radar system either agency has ever launched. Operating from a Sun-synchronous orbit, NISAR will carry a dual-band radar system capable of peering through clouds and darkness to capture precise surface data, regardless of weather. Its two radar systems — one L-band and one S-band — use different wavelengths to measure everything from moisture content to land deformation. When used together, they can detect movement and changes in surface conditions across a wide range of sizes, from small shrubs to massive glaciers. This means NISAR can detect subtle ground shifts caused by earthquakes, volcanic activity, and landslides — helping scientists better understand the physical processes behind natural disasters. It can also track infrastructure integrity, such as potential changes or instability in roads, bridges, and dams. The satellite’s real-time responsiveness will support urgent-response efforts during extreme weather events, like hurricanes and floods. Its cloud-penetrating radar will enable clear imaging even during the worst conditions — critical when first responders need to assess damage or locate people quickly. But the scope of NISAR's mission goes far beyond emergency response. By capturing global-scale data on ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice — especially in vulnerable regions like Antarctica — NISAR will help researchers track how melting and motion of polar ice are contributing to sea-level rise. Its sensitivity to changes in vegetation and soil moisture will also shed light on how deforestation, wildfires, and permafrost loss are affecting Earth’s carbon cycle and climate system. “NISAR will give us a data set we’ve never had before — one that is synchronized, frequent, and truly global,” said NASA officials. “It’s going to deepen our understanding of how Earth is changing in real time.” Roughly the length of a pickup truck, the satellite houses cutting-edge engineering systems and a massive radar payload. The L-band radar, with its longer 25-centimeter wavelength, excels at detecting deeper or larger structures, such as tree canopies or soil displacement. The S-band radar, at 10 centimeters, is better suited for tracking smaller features like shrubs or surface roughness. Together, the dual-band system allows scientists to layer multiple perspectives of a single scene, offering a more complete picture of surface conditions than ever before. The mission also stands out for its international collaboration. With teams working across more than 9,000 miles and 13 time zones, NISAR reflects a new model for joint Earth science missions — one that shares knowledge, technology, and responsibility for addressing global challenges. As the satellite begins its operations, data collected by NISAR will be made available to scientists around the world. Its potential impact spans disaster management, climate research, agriculture, water management, and much more. With its eyes constantly scanning the planet, NISAR promises not just to observe Earth’s changes, but to help us respond to them with greater precision and urgency.
Score (98)
This Toddler's Magical First Steps Just Stole the Show at a WNBA Halftime Event
In the middle of a tough night on the court for the Las Vegas Aces — who got steamrolled by the Minnesota Lynx — it was a much smaller competitor who stole the spotlight. Literally. At halftime, during what’s usually a lighthearted break from the game, the Aces hosted their now-traditional baby crawl race. It’s wholesome. It’s chaotic. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. But this time, it turned into something much bigger. One baby, decked out in red leggings, a white top, and a pink bow, wasn’t interested in crawling at all. As the race began and parents lined the court trying to coax their little ones toward the finish line, the tiny frontrunner had other plans. The announcer chyron said it best: “We immediately had a front runner.” And then? She stood up. In the middle of the court, surrounded by a roaring crowd, the baby decided this was the moment — and took her very first steps. She didn’t just stumble a few feet. She walked, arms outstretched, straight into her waiting family’s arms. The crowd erupted. The other parents cheered. Everyone forgot about the actual race. Even the baby’s dad looked stunned, proudly cradling his daughter in one arm while holding her oversized inflatable trophy in the other. “She hadn’t been walking. She just randomly decided to stand up in the middle of the thing!” he said, beaming. The video — posted by WNBC with the caption “some wholesome content for your timeline” — immediately went viral. On Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit, people couldn’t get enough. One top comment joked, “Draft speech… My first steps were on a WNBA court. It was destined.” Another wrote, “She a hooper in the making FASHO!!! I would’ve been a bawling MESS LOL!!” Over on Reddit’s r/NBA, users took the comedy to new heights. One post declared, “Baby blatantly cheats by taking her first ever steps to win the Las Vegas Aces baby crawl race,” sparking a cascade of mock outrage and memes. "REF DO SOMETHING!" one user shouted. "This is why I quit baby crawl racing, too many sweats," another joked. And then came the pièce de résistance: a fictional Stephen A. Smith rant that perfectly captured the moment’s absurdity and joy. “WHEN A BABY TAKES ITS FIRST STEPS, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS! THE. FIRST. STEPS.” But underneath the jokes, people recognized the gravity of what had just happened. “I was thinking how so many parents don’t get the chance to actually film the first walk, and this being it is pretty momentous,” one commenter wrote. “Now imagine being the kid’s younger sibling and having to live up to this lol.” The Las Vegas Aces might have lost on the scoreboard, but their halftime show made history and gave one little girl the most unforgettable first steps ever captured on a basketball court.
Score (93)
DNA Discovery: Six Hidden Butterfly Species Revealed
In the lush forests of Central and South America, where hundreds of near-identical butterflies flutter through the undergrowth, scientists have uncovered a hidden language of smell, and six new species. A sweeping international study has genetically mapped dozens of glasswing butterflies, rewriting their evolutionary history and revealing surprising insights into how these translucent-winged insects tell each other apart, even when they look almost exactly the same. Published July 28 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the research shows that many glasswing butterflies rely not on sight, but on scent. Closely related species give off unique pheromones, allowing individuals to recognize potential mates even when their colors mimic those of neighboring species. It’s a subtle but critical tool in a world where visual camouflage is essential for survival. “All these butterflies look the same to predators — and that’s by design,” said Dr. Caroline Bacquet, senior author at Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam in Ecuador. “But to find a mate without risking sterile offspring, they need a different way to identify their own kind. That’s where pheromones come in.” The team is made up of researchers from institutions across 11 countries. Together, they sequenced the genomes of nearly all species from two major groups of glasswing butterflies, Mechanitis and Melinaea. Ten species were sequenced to “reference quality,” providing a powerful tool for tracking and monitoring populations in the wild. “Until now, there was no genetic resource that allowed us to robustly identify different species,” said Dr. Eva van der Heijden, first author and researcher at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and University of Cambridge. “It is difficult to monitor and track something that you can’t identify easily.” Thanks to that clarity, the team identified six subspecies that are genetically distinct enough to be recognized as new species. These findings go beyond naming and classification — they shed light on how butterflies rapidly evolve in tight-knit ecological spaces. Glasswing butterflies, with more than 400 known species, are known for undergoing “rapid radiation” or an evolutionary burst in which many new species emerge from a single ancestor. The researchers found a clue to this unusual pace of evolution: their chromosomes. While most butterflies have 31 chromosomes, glasswings have between 13 and 28. These changes, known as chromosomal rearrangements, can create reproductive barriers. If two butterflies with mismatched chromosome structures mate, their offspring are likely to be sterile. Over time, this pushes populations to evolve new species more quickly. “Chromosomal differences affect fertility,” said Dr. Joana Meier, senior author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute. “That forces a kind of natural boundary that accelerates speciation.” That’s also where the pheromones come in: by helping butterflies detect compatible mates with matching chromosome arrangements, they avoid reproductive dead ends. The implications stretch beyond butterfly taxonomy. Butterflies are indicator species. Their health often reflects the health of entire ecosystems. By understanding how and why species rapidly diversify, scientists can better predict how insects might respond to climate change, habitat loss, or conservation interventions. “This research helps us understand how new species evolve, especially quickly,” Meier said. “And that could inform efforts to protect biodiversity in the middle of an extinction crisis.” Dr. Bacquet emphasized that the clarity from these newly mapped genomes will aid fieldwork going forward. “Now that we have genetic distinctions, we can look for subtle visual cues in the field. That opens new doors for tracking and studying these butterflies in real time.” The study was made possible through collaboration between experts at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and institutions in Brazil, Peru, Panama, Germany, France, and the U.S., with funding from Wellcome and others. With this new evolutionary roadmap, scientists hope to better protect not just glasswing butterflies, but the ecosystems that depend on them.
Score (98)
Off-Duty Hero: This Lifeguard's Quick Action Saves Two Lives From a Treacherous Rip Current
What started as a day off for Sarasota County lifeguard Landon Lacy quickly turned into a life-or-death rescue mission on the shores of Venice Beach, Florida. Lacy was enjoying a break from work this summer when he noticed someone sprinting toward the water carrying flotation devices. Moments later, his phone buzzed; a water rescue was in progress. Even though he was off duty, instinct kicked in. Without hesitation, Lacy dove into the water and swam more than 150 yards offshore, where he found a woman caught in a dangerous rip current. He guided her back to safety, but she was panicked, not for herself, but for her husband, who was still in trouble. “She was frantic, saying, ‘My husband’s dying,’” Lacy said. He turned back and pushed farther out, swimming another 200 to 300 yards before spotting the man, exhausted and struggling to stay afloat. Lacy quickly maneuvered him onto his back to help him breathe and kept him steady as they made their way back to shore. Both swimmers were evaluated by Venice Fire Rescue and are expected to be OK. The entire rescue was caught on video by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, showing just how far Lacy went, literally and figuratively, to save two strangers. Even off the clock, his training and courage made all the difference.
Score (96)
A Military Bombing Range Became a Sanctuary for Endangered Woodpeckers—Here's Why
On the surface, Florida’s Avon Park Air Force Range is a place for military training — 106,000 acres of scrub, forest, and bombing targets. But beneath the roar of jets and the thud of artillery, something quieter is happening: the recovery of one of America’s rarest birds. More than 40 at-risk species call this range home, including the red-cockaded woodpecker — a once-abundant bird now clinging to survival in fragmented pine savannahs. But new research from Michigan State University shows the woodpecker’s story is shifting, thanks to an unlikely ally: translocation. Over the span of nearly two decades, conservation biologists and military officials worked together to move 54 red-cockaded woodpeckers from six healthier populations into Avon Park’s longleaf pine forests. These relocated birds didn’t just survive — they thrived. Many nested more often, lived longer, and successfully raised more chicks than their local counterparts. “This is a rare success story,” said Alex Lewanski, a graduate student at MSU and lead author of the study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “The only reason that these populations are still around is because of the continued collaborations and long-term investment in these imperiled species.” The red-cockaded woodpecker once spanned the Southeastern U.S. in vast pine savannahs, but after decades of logging, development, and fire suppression, only about 3 percent of its historic range remains. Isolated in small pockets, many remaining populations struggle with genetic bottlenecks and inbreeding — a problem translocation can help fix. Researchers from MSU’s Fitzpatrick Lab analyzed years of detailed monitoring data collected by Archbold Biological Station, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Air Force. They found that the benefits of bringing in birds from outside populations didn’t just help immediately — the effects lasted for years and even generations. Roughly 70 percent of the translocated birds survived, and many paired with local mates. Their offspring inherited some of the survival and reproductive advantages of their parents, helping to boost population numbers and genetic diversity over time. “We found that translocated birds tended to nest for more years than locally hatched ones, and that really added up,” Lewanski said. The research underscores the power of translocation when paired with land protection and active habitat management. Controlled burns and strict protection of Avon Park’s 35,000 acres of pine habitat made it possible to support a growing woodpecker population — and to study it in detail. Avon Park is one of 18 federally designated Sentinel Landscapes, protected areas near military installations where defense goals overlap with conservation. In this case, the range’s restricted access and lack of development provided a rare opportunity to test long-term strategies for wildlife recovery. Dr. Sarah Fitzpatrick, senior author of the study, said the woodpeckers’ success offers valuable insight for other at-risk species. “We’re now seeing how genetic monitoring tools can help managers make more informed decisions,” she said. “This approach can be adapted and applied to other endangered populations — especially ones facing the same kinds of isolation and habitat loss.” The team says future efforts could combine traditional fieldwork with genetic analysis to track lineages and detect inbreeding early. That would allow for more precise decisions about when and where to move individuals, making translocations a more efficient and effective tool. For now, the red-cockaded woodpeckers of Avon Park stand as a case study in what can happen when conservation, science, and the military align, a rare win for biodiversity on a landscape often known for destruction, not recovery.
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Groom's Heartfelt Surprise: Learns ASL to Sign Wedding Vows for Bride’s Deaf Parents
Zachary Swain didn’t just promise to love and cherish his bride, Hallie — he made sure her family felt every word. At their May 17 wedding at StoneWood Farms in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Zachary surprised Hallie’s deaf parents by signing his vows in American Sign Language (ASL) — a moment months in the making, and one that left everyone in tears. “My parents were completely surprised when Zach signed his vows,” Hallie told PEOPLE. “It truly touched them. It showed them that he sees them, that he’s thinking of them — not just as my family, but as part of his now too.” Though Hallie knew in advance what Zachary was planning, she was still overcome with emotion as she watched him carefully sign his heartfelt vows. “Every word felt like it came straight from his heart. It wasn’t just romantic, it was personal and intentional,” she said. “That moment captured exactly who Zach is, and it reminded me why I chose him, and why I’ll keep choosing him for the rest of my life.” The groom had quietly spent months learning ASL at the Dallas Deaf Action Center, enlisting Hallie’s brother to help along the way. After the ceremony, Zachary presented Hallie’s parents, Paul and Gina Kulick, with his official ASL certificate — a gesture that brought the couple and their new son-in-law into a joyful, tearful embrace. “It was an incredibly special moment,” Zachary said. “The vows were a heartfelt surprise, but what made it even more meaningful was revealing that I had spent months learning American Sign Language. It was my way of showing not only my commitment to Hallie, but also to the future we’re building together.” “Learning ASL was important — not just so I could communicate with Paul and Gina, but so that our future family could grow up connected, inclusive, and understood,” he added. “It’s a moment I’ll carry with me forever.” The couple’s videographer, Rylee Rohner of Films by Ry, captured the moment on film and later shared it on Instagram and TikTok. The video went viral almost instantly, amassing millions of views and emotional reactions. “This was one of those moments I knew would touch everyone who saw it,” Rohner said. “Watching Hallie’s parents react with so much emotion and joy was incredibly moving. Zach and Hallie’s love story was already so special, but the way they honored Hallie’s parents through this moment took it to a level that was so unique.” Though she’s filmed countless weddings, Rohner said she’s “truly never seen anything like this before” and called it “a reminder of how powerful love and intentionality can be.” “Being part of this celebration was more than just documenting a wedding — it was about preserving a legacy of love, inclusion, and intentionality,” she added. For the Swains, it was more than just a touching gesture — it was the start of a future rooted in connection and understanding. And for everyone who watched it unfold, it was a powerful reminder of what love looks like when it speaks every language.
Score (96)
New Radar Technology is Bringing Us Closer to Discovering Life on Europa
NASA's Europa Clipper, the largest interplanetary probe ever launched, has just passed an essential test that sets it up for its mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa. During a flyby of Mars in March, the spacecraft tested its radar instrument, REASON (Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface), which performed flawlessly. The primary objective of this flyby was to leverage Mars' gravity to adjust the spacecraft's trajectory. However, it also provided a chance for scientists to test REASON over Martian terrain. The radar successfully sent and received signals off Mars' equator, providing valuable practice ahead of its main mission at Europa. Don Blankenship, the principal investigator of the radar instrument from the University of Texas at Austin, expressed his satisfaction with the results. "We got everything out of the flyby that we dreamed," he stated. "The goal was to determine the radar's readiness for the Europa mission, and it worked." REASON is designed to peer into Europa’s icy shell to search for pockets of water and potentially detect an ocean beneath. It will help scientists understand how materials from this ocean might be transferred to the surface and examine surface features like ridges in more detail. Testing on Earth had its limitations. The instrument uses two pairs of antennas extending 17.6 meters across from solar arrays as large as a basketball court. Engineers could only test these components piece by piece due to size constraints; they would have needed a chamber nearly 76 meters long to fully assess REASON’s signal bounceback capabilities. Mars offered a real-world testing ground, proving invaluable for calibrating not just REASON but also other instruments onboard like infrared cameras. As Europa Clipper flew past Mars from 5,000 kilometers down to 884 kilometers above its surface, REASON collected about 60 gigabytes of data in just 40 minutes. Trina Ray from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory highlighted how well this dry run went: "The engineers were excited that their test worked so perfectly." She noted that scientists are already digging into this data to understand REASON's behavior compared to models they’ve developed. Europa Clipper is still on its way toward Jupiter after launching from Kennedy Space Center in October 2024. It's currently about 450 million kilometers away from Earth and will make another gravity assist using Earth in 2026 before reaching Europa. Once there, the spacecraft aims to determine the thickness of Europa's icy shell and study interactions with oceans below. Managed by Caltech and led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory with partners like Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, this mission seeks deeper insights into potential habitability beyond our planet. As scientists continue analyzing data from this successful Mars flyby, they're preparing for what could be groundbreaking findings when they reach Europa itself.
Score (98)
Teachers Team Up with NASA to Bring Citizen Science into Classrooms
Despite the sweltering heat blanketing Virginia’s east coast, 24 dedicated educators from eight school districts across the Hampton Roads region gathered at the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) in Hampton for a hands-on, NASA-led professional development workshop. The two-day training, organized by NASA Langley Research Center and the NIA-led NASA eClips team, brought together teachers from Newport News, Hampton City, Virginia Beach City, Isle of Wight County, Poquoson City, Norfolk, York County, and Suffolk Public Schools. The goal: to equip educators with real-world STEM tools and classroom-ready resources designed to engage students in Earth science and climate research. Partnering with the GLOBE Mission Earth team — part of NASA’s Science Activation program — and supported by the Coastal Virginia STEM Hub (COVA STEM), the workshop offered lesson plans, pacing guides, classroom activities, and books, all tailored to local classrooms. COVA STEM is a regional STEM learning initiative targeting learners from pre-K through adulthood. The centerpiece of the workshop was training in GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment), a citizen science program that invites everyday people — including students — to collect environmental data and contribute to real scientific research. Teachers explored how to use the GLOBE Observer app to log local cloud cover, surface temperature, and land cover observations. By the end of the training, all 24 participants were officially certified as GLOBE Educators. “It’s a fantastic way to bring science to life for our students,” one educator said, as participants dove into sample lessons and tested hands-on activities suitable for classrooms from kindergarten through college. Alongside GLOBE, the NASA eClips team shared a wide range of free, standards-based STEM resources available on its website — including short educational videos, teacher guides, and engineering design challenges — all developed to make space and Earth science more accessible and engaging for students. Throughout the event, teachers worked in grade-level groups to brainstorm how to bring these tools into their own classrooms. One envisioned using GLOBE’s cloud data and eClips videos to enhance her unit on energy budgets. Another saw the potential to modify a classic heat-lamp experiment to include variables like humidity and heat capacity. “The hands-on elements are going to be really great deliverables,” one teacher said after reviewing GLOBE’s urban heat island activity. But the workshop also offered something beyond lesson plans: connection. Educators from different districts got the chance to collaborate and share ideas — something many said was just as valuable as the content itself. “I do love that we’re able to collaborate with our colleagues so we can plan for our future units during the school year,” one participant shared. Another summed it up simply: “This is a great program…I am going to start embedding [this] in our curriculum.” With the support of NIA, NASA Langley, and a wider network of science-focused partners, the workshop gave educators not just new tools, but renewed energy — even in the middle of a heat wave.