Illustrated Extension apiculture education STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) book to support educators teaching youth in non-formal learning settings

Honeybees and pollinators have received much media attention in recent years, leading to increased public curiosity about their wellbeing and role in nature. This curiosity has increased pressure on Extension educators to provide apiculture education to the public, both youth and adults. However, many Extension youth educators are unfamiliar with the complexities of apiculture and its relationship to agricultural sustainability and natural resources stewardship. Art can help people to better understand STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) topics like apiculture, agriculture and natural resources, making STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) a suitable learning framework for those seeking to better understand or teach these topics. This creative component resulted in an illustrated apiculture book to support Extension educators teaching youth in non-formal learning settings. The goal of the book was to increase 5th-7th grade youth understanding of the interconnectedness of the natural world and agriculture so that they recognized the value of bees, made conscientious environmental and food decisions, and applied STEAM skills to future activities. The book was designed using the STEAM framework, and is composed of eight topics in chapters; 16 youth learning objectives (two per chapter); eight activities (one per chapter), and 15 illustrations original to the author

Illustrated Extension apiculture education STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) book to support educators teaching youth in non-formal learning settings

Honeybees and pollinators have received much media attention in recent years, leading to increased public curiosity about their wellbeing and role in nature. This curiosity has increased pressure on Extension educators to provide apiculture education to the public, both youth and adults. However, many Extension youth educators are unfamiliar with the complexities of apiculture and its relationship to agricultural sustainability and natural resources stewardship. Art can help people to better understand STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) topics like apiculture, agriculture and natural resources, making STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) a suitable learning framework for those seeking to better understand or teach these topics. This creative component resulted in an illustrated apiculture book to support Extension educators teaching youth in non-formal learning settings. The goal of the book was to increase 5th-7th grade youth understanding of the interconnectedness of the natural world and agriculture so that they recognized the value of bees, made conscientious environmental and food decisions, and applied STEAM skills to future activities. The book was designed using the STEAM framework, and is composed of eight topics in chapters; 16 youth learning objectives (two per chapter); eight activities (one per chapter), and 15 illustrations original to the author.</p

COPe-support - a multi-component digital intervention for family carers for people affected by psychosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Psychosis often causes significant distress and impacts not only in the individuals, but also those close to them. Many relatives and friends (‘carers’) provide long-term support and need resources to assist them. We have co-produced a digital mental health intervention called COPe-support (Carers fOr People with Psychosis e-support) to provide carers with flexible access to high quality psychoeducation and interactive support from experts and peers. This study evaluates the effectiveness of COPe-support to promote mental wellbeing and caregiving experiences in carers. Methods This study is a single-blind, parallel arm, individually randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing COPe-support, with attention control. Both groups continue to receive usual care. COPe-support provides interactive web-based psychoeducation on psychosis-related issues, wellbeing-promotion and network support through forums. The attention-control is a non-interactive online information resource pack. Carers living in England are eligible if they provide at least weekly support to a family member or close friend affected by psychosis, and use internet communication (including emails) daily. All trial procedures are run online, including collection of outcome measurements which participants will directly input into our secure platform. Following baseline assessment, a web-based randomization system will be used to allocate 360 carers to either arm. Participants have unlimited access to the allocated condition for 40 weeks. Data collection is at three time points (10, 20, and 40 weeks after randomization). Analyses will be conducted by trial statisticians blinded to allocation. The primary outcome is mental wellbeing measured by Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), at 20 weeks. As well as an intention-to-treat analysis, a complier average causal effect (CACE) analysis will be conducted to estimate the intervention effect in participants who have accessed COPe-support content twice or more. The secondary objectives and analysis will examine other health and caregiving-related outcomes and explore mechanisms. In a process evaluation, we will interview 20% of the intervention arm participants regarding the acceptability of COPe-support. We will explore in detail participants’ usage patterns. Discussion The results of this trial will provide valuable information about the effectiveness of COPe-support in promoting wellbeing and caregiving experiences in carers. Trial registration The RCT is registered with the Current Controlled Trials registration (ISRCTN 89563420, registration date: 02/03/2018). </jats:sec

Firefly: The Case for a Holistic Understanding of the Global Structure and Dynamics of the Sun and the Heliosphere

This white paper is on the HMCS Firefly mission concept study. Firefly focuses on the global structure and dynamics of the Sun's interior, the generation of solar magnetic fields, the deciphering of the solar cycle, the conditions leading to the explosive activity, and the structure and dynamics of the corona as it drives the heliosphere