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Analysis of the Impact of Science-Fiction Films and Science-Fictions Books on the Environmental Literacy of 7th-Grade Students
Get PDFThis study aimed to examine the impact of science-fiction films and books on the environmental literacy of 7th-grade students. The study was conducted during the initial half of the 2022-2023 academic year, involving 63 seventh-grade students from a secondary school in the Ümraniye district of Istanbul, with 21 students in each of the three classes, which exhibited no significant differences among them. One class served as the control group, while the other two constituted the experimental group. Classical methods and techniques were utilized in the control group, while one experimental group engaged with three science fiction movies and the other group utilized three science fiction books and a curriculum. The study employed a mixed design. In the six-week study, the “Environmental Literacy Scale” was used as both a pretest and posttest for quantitative data collection. The quantitative data acquired from this test were analyzed using the SPSS program. The data revealed significant differences in certain sub-problems of the research, as assessed by the sub-dimensions of environmental literacy in the Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 groups. The cognitive skills test and semi-structured interview form were assessed qualitatively. Content analysis was employed to examine qualitative data. The responses provided to the qualitative measurement instruments were converted into codes and themes, and their frequency levels were assessed. The results of the responses and quantitative data coincide. The study suggests that incorporating science-fiction movies and books into science education enhances students’ environmental literacy
Balancing the Carbon Equation: Why Direct Air Capture and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Must Work Together for Climate Stability?
Get PDFDirect Air Capture (DAC) and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) are two of the most discussed ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, each with distinctive mechanisms, strengths, and drawbacks. DAC captures CO₂ directly from ambient air via chemical or physical sorbents followed by storage or utilization, while OAE works by bolstering the ocean’s natural capacity to absorb CO₂ through increasing dissolved alkalinity, shifting inorganic carbon equilibria, and buffering pH changes. In this opinion piece I argue that neither method is sufficient alone but that together they could form a more resilient, scalable negative emissions portfolio. DAC offers precision and controllability; OAE leverages vast ocean sinks and offers co-benefits for ocean acidification, but faces challenges around environmental risks, monitoring, permanence, and scale. I call for an integrated strategy: rigorous foundational science, transparent accounting, regulatory guardrails, and public engagement. Such an approach must prioritize emissions reduction first, then deploy DAC and OAE where they are most effective, ethical, and socially acceptable
Smart Materials That Self-Heal or Adapt to Environmental Stimuli
Get PDFThe development of smart materials capable of self-healing or adapting to environmental stimuli represents one of the most transformative advances in material science. These materials, ranging from polymers and composites to bio-inspired hydrogels, offer the potential to dramatically enhance durability, safety, and efficiency across industries, including aerospace, construction, electronics, and healthcare. Self-healing materials can autonomously repair structural damage, extend product lifespan and reduce maintenance costs, while adaptive materials respond dynamically to changes in temperature, pressure, light, pH, or mechanical stress, optimizing performance in real time. The integration of such capabilities into engineering, biomedical devices, and consumer products challenges traditional paradigms of design and maintenance, demanding new manufacturing processes and theoretical models. This article explores the principles, mechanisms, and emerging applications of smart materials, highlighting their capacity to transform technological landscapes, foster sustainability, and inspire a future in which materials are no longer passive but actively interact with their environment
Social Interaction of Generation Z in China
Get PDFDue to the advancement of mutual information technology and the impacts of globalization and cultural pluralism, Generation Z has developed notions of social life and social channels that are significantly different from those of the preceding generations. A thorough understanding of its peculiarities is conducive to our in-depth knowledge of this group. This article is a discussion of populous forms of social interaction among Generation Zers in China, such as Dazi social interaction, circle-based social interaction, and social media-based interaction. These forms of social life are the result of technological development and the advancement of urbanization, emblematic of the emotional needs of Chinese youth and their individual expression. The study also finds that these novel social interactions bring challenges to this generation, such as communication apprehension, information cocoons, cyber violence, and privacy breaches
A Implementation of Project Based Learning (PjBL) in Mathematics Education: A Systematic Analysis of International Practices and Theoretical Foundations
No full textProject Based Learning (PjBL) has emerged as a promising approach in mathematics education. This study aims to analyze the implementation of project-based learning (PjBL) internationally in mathematics education and to identify the underlying learning theories, such as the method of writing an article through SLR. A systematic literature review uses the “Publish or Perish” application for Scopus and Crossref searches. The selection criteria include accredited journal articles from Sinta 1, Sinta 2, or those already accredited by Scopus from 2014 to 2024 in English, focusing on mathematics/mathematics education. Out of the ten selected articles, further analysis was conducted. PjBL effectively enhances academic achievement. 21st-century skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, creativity, technological literacy, and student motivation in mathematics education across various countries. Implementing the PjBL model in mathematics involves a series of well-defined steps: presenting problems, preparing project plans and schedules, forming effective teams, providing support, integrating with the curriculum, using visual media, presenting and evaluating results, and reflecting on the process. The implementation challenges include inflexible schedules and teachers’ need for more professional skills. The theories underlying the effectiveness of PjBL include constructivism, social learning, experiential learning, multiple intelligences, contextual learning, motivation, and problem-solving. PjBL shows significant potential in enhancing international mathematics learning. Implementation success depends on thorough preparation, appropriate support, and adjustments to the local context. Further research is needed to optimize the integration of PjBL with traditional methods, address implementation challenges, and analyze its long-term impacts
How Can We Map Our Brains?
Get PDFUnderstanding the human brain—arguably the most complex structure in the known universe—has long been a goal of science, medicine, and philosophy. Recent technological advancements have made the ambitious task of brain mapping more plausible than ever before. This essay explores the multidimensional approach needed to map the brain, emphasizing the roles of neuroimaging technologies, computational modeling, genetics, and artificial intelligence. It argues that while we are making rapid progress, truly mapping the human brain requires not just technical precision but also ethical mindfulness, global collaboration, and interdisciplinary innovation. Brain mapping is not only a scientific journey but also a humanistic one, requiring us to ask who we are and how our minds work
Is Mitochondrial Dysfunction the Underlying Causal Reason for Human Diseases?
Get PDFMitochondria, the cellular powerhouses, have emerged as pivotal players in human health and disease. Recent advances suggest mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in a broad spectrum of disorders, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular conditions, to aging-related decline. This article explores the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a central underlying cause driving many, if not all, human diseases. By integrating evidence from molecular biology, clinical studies, and evolutionary theory, I argue that mitochondrial health is fundamental to cellular and systemic function. However, while mitochondrial dysfunction contributes significantly to disease pathogenesis, it is unlikely to be the sole cause of all human diseases due to the complexity of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Understanding mitochondria’s multifaceted role could revolutionize diagnostics and therapeutics, positioning mitochondrial medicine at the forefront of future healthcare. This opinion advocates for a balanced yet focused research approach to uncover how mitochondrial dysfunction intersects with other pathogenic mechanisms
A Comparative Study of the Two Versions of Wenji’s Return to Han by Juzhong Chen and Yu Zhang
Get PDFThe story of the return of Wenji to the Han Empire originated from The Book of Later Han: A Biography of Si Dong’s Wife, which is about the eventful life of Wenji Cai, the daughter of Yong Cai (a high-ranking official and renowned intellectual) in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Wenji Cai was an accomplished lady but was unfortunately captured by the Xiongnu invaders in the turmoil of war. Cao Cao paid a colossal sum of money to the Xiongnu to have her return to Han after he unified northern China. Inspired by this story, later artists created a series of paintings on the subject. This subject matter was particularly popular at the junction of the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties, when the Emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty were kidnapped by the Jin regime (a regime north of the Song Empire), who are deemed somewhat comparable victims to Wenji Cai. Artists of the Southern Song Dynasty created many paintings based on the story of the return of Wenji to Han to represent the popular expectations for the emperors’ release. Juzhong Chen was a court painter of the Southern Song Dynasty, and Yu Zhang was an official of the Jin Dynasty. This article is a comparative study of two versions of Wenji’s Return to Han, respectively by Juzhong Chen and Yu Zhang, focusing on analyzing the similarities and differences of the two works regarding composition, the portrayal of figures, and painter’ motives, using the methods of iconological and literature research in a bid to explore the impacts of the painters’ times on their artistic efforts
The Impact of Parental Control on Mental Health of Primary and Secondary School Students and Its Educational Implications
Get PDFIn the Chinese cultural context, the absolute authority of Chinese parents over their children has predisposed them to adopt controlling parenting. This article is a re-examination of the relationship between parental control and mental health of primary and secondary school students in China, using the meta-analytical techniques
Chinese Endeavors to Enhance the Welfare of Left-Behind Children: A Literature Review
Get PDFThe issue of left-behind children has been a serious concern of Chinese society. The Chinese government and other entities have experimented with a wide range of measures to create a sound environment for their growth. This article is a survey of existing assistance measures for improving the welfare of left-behind children in China based on a literature review of 27 prior studies. The study spots four chief categories of measures in the literature: legislative protection, social support, school assistance, and technological backing, giving each of them a detailed description. The outcomes and challenges of the work on the care and protection of left-behind children are also discussed