Educators have launched a pilot program that introduces students to computational thinking, hoping to get them interested in computer science. In computational thinking, we break problems down into manageable pieces. Then we remove unimportant details from the problem. After that, we discover how the pieces connect. Lastly, we make rules to solve the problem. The end goal is to make computer science more attractive to those in rural communities, so they can develop solutions to their communities’ problems instead of waiting for someone else to solve it. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
