#STEM Education and Computational Thinking:

[richardtheteacher]

Leveraging Coding Games to Enhance Classroom Learning: A Teacher's Guide

Richard James Rogers, Award-Winning Author and Educator, describes ways in which teachers can leverage coding games to enhance classroom learning.

A blog post by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). This blog post has been beautifully illustrated by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati. With the growing educational environment today, a teacher is always in pursuit of a new way to make student learning more interactive and…

[tyn-can-learning]

Support for Schools: Explore Fabulous Resources for Next Academic Year 2024-25

Our range of products

The Summer holidays are now finally here. We would like to wish all teaching staff a thoroughly well-deserved relaxing break. While you may have some time on your hands, you may want to look at the fabulous resources we have to support you next academic year. Some of the products we have to support schools: Contact us If you would like more information about how we can support you please email…

[lemon-film]

Raise a Tech Genius: Exploring the Ultimate Coding Schools

🌟 Unlock your child's potential in the world of coding! Let's shape a future generation of tech genius together! #RaiseATechGenius #CodingSchools #TechEducation

In today’s world, coding has become an essential skill for children, providing various advantages like improved creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration. However, with many coding classes available, selecting the right one for your child can be daunting. Therefore, I have created a list of the top coding schools that cater to your child’s interests and age group, from robotics,…

[fazedlight]

Shadow (post-canon fluff)

“So what can we expect from tomorrow’s gala?” the newscaster asked.

Lena smiled, stopping herself from shifting nervously in the bright lights above her, glancing instead to the news studio’s camera as she spoke. “The gala is a black-tie fundraiser event for the Lena Luthor Foundation’s first project - an outreach program aimed at teaching STEM concepts to inner city children.”

“Fascinating,” the newscaster said, “And how will this education program work?”

“The children will be taught basic computer science concepts, and also have access to learn to code robots to compete in an obstacle course competition,” Lena said, eyes shifting back to the newscaster as she spoke, attempting to look as conversational and relaxed as possible. God, it’s been a while since I’ve done this, she thought to herself. “By giving the children real-world instruction, we hope they will be excited to see what one can really do with engineering and science.”

“And will your new girlfriend be attending the gala?”

As much as Lena had no problem staying composed, she could never quite master keeping the blush out of her cheeks. Not when it came to Kara. “She will be attending as well,” Lena confirmed, “Kara is a strong believer in a science education, having grown up with a strong tradition of scientific exploration on Krypton.”

“I imagine she’s an exception to the black tie rules,” the newscaster said.

“Of course,” Lena grinned, “We think the city is ready to know the real Supergirl.”

“Do you think your brother would be proud?”

The smile stuck to Lena’s face - no one but her closest friends would know that anything was amiss from her expression. But the question was certainly charged. While Earth Prime Lex had been known as a philanthropist, his quest for power had come out during the trial - somehow lauded by the public - only for him to attack the world and disappear into the phantom zone, leaving a confused public behind.

I guess I’ll never really escape him, Lena thought tiredly. In Stryker’s or dead or stuck in the phantom zone - none of it mattered. It seemed that Lex would always linger over her. “My brother’s legacy is complex,” Lena said, somewhat frustrated that she couldn’t be more direct on Earth Prime about who her brother really was. “I hope to honor the Luthor name, whatever that would’ve meant to him.” “Well, some very lucky children are about to have a fantastic summer,” the newscaster said back. “Thank you for joining us today, Lena.” “It was a pleasure,” Lena said.

---

Lying in the cool darkness of her bedroom - the setting sun hardly penetrating the windows anymore - Lena dozed quietly, relieved that the day was done.

Light footsteps padded down the hallway, causing a warm feeling in Lena’s chest. Kara’s home, she thought, and she was greeted only moments later by the kryptonian slipping into bed beside her, hugging around her back. “There’s Belly Burger in the kitchen,” Kara murmured, nuzzling softly into Lena’s hair. 

“Thank you,” Lena said back, “I needed that.”

“Rough day?”

“Not particularly. Just… him.”

Lena could feel Kara’s head on the pillow behind her, the kryptonian holding her quietly, giving Lena the space to think. “I think it’s more exhausting here,” Lena said eventually, “Lex, on this Earth.”

“Because they think he was a hero?”

“They don’t understand how someone who could work so closely with you,” Lena said, slowly rolling over on the bed to look at Kara directly, “Could turn around and try to kill you. At least on Earth 38, his first response to Superman was to build a kryptonite suit. People knew where things stood. I didn’t have to dance around.”

Kara hugged Lena more tightly. “I’m sorry, Lena,” she said.

Lena sighed, planting a small kiss on Kara’s lips. “I’ll be fine. I just wish I could get away from it sometimes.”

Kara’s brow furrowed thoughtfully, as she reached up to caress Lena’s face. Lena could almost see the thoughts dance behind her eyes, before she smiled softly. “What is it?” Lena asked.

“I…” Kara trailed off for a moment. “I was wondering, if you would like to visit Argo soon? Maybe after the gala? They’ve barely heard of Lex up there.”

Lena’s eyes shifted between Kara’s, small relief flowing through her body. “That sounds perfect.”

---

“Why do you think your brother started hating aliens?”

“Ms. Danv- er, Supergirl- what does Cat Grant think of ethics in journalism?”

“Your brother was a great man - what do you think caused him to snap?”

Lena sighed in relief as the dancing began, happy to have an excuse to lead Kara to the dance floor instead of continuing conversation with the various donors and reporters roaming about. At least the flashing cameras were less intrusive.

Kara, for her part, seemed almost curious at the extra attention. “This’ll take some getting used to,” she murmured playfully, lightly twirling Lena in her arms and setting off another flurry of photo flashes.

“They’ll calm down eventually,” Lena said, “There are only so many Super and a Luthor headlines that people will read.”

“Ready for our trip tomorrow?” Kara asked.

“More than ready.”

---

Alura hugged her warmly when they arrived. “It’s nice to get away,” Lena said, following Alura and Kara from J’onn’s ship to the El home.

She was somewhat disbelieving that she was really sitting in a kryptonian kitchen, on the remnants of an alien planet. With Zor-El off on an overnight deployment to oversee routine maintenance to Argo’s shield, the three of them spent Lena’s first night on Argo sipping on hot chocolate that Kara had brought from Earth. 

Lena found Alura was easy to open up to. “It’s just tiring, being in Lex’s shadow,” Lena said. “For once I wish I could be seen on my own terms.”

Lena thought she noticed Alura glance to Kara, but the thought didn’t linger as Alura looked back to Lena again. “Kara and Kal have told me of the feud,” she said sympathetically.

“It’ll be nice getting away from his name for a while,” Lena confessed. “I can just be Lena, instead of Lex’s little sister.”

“We’ll be going to the markets tomorrow,” Kara said, glancing from Lena to Alura. “I want to show Lena the town square.”

“I’m sure she’ll like it,” Alura said, exchanging what Lena was certain was a look with Kara. What’s that about?, she wondered, but Alura quickly moved on. “Is it strange not being a super here?” Alura asked Kara.

Kara smiled. “I’m home again.”

Lena took in Kara’s expression, the ease in her body. They talked about it from time to time - what it meant for Kara to have powers she constantly needed to control. Though she didn’t need to balance two identities anymore, there would always be the physical fatigue of controlling her powers on Earth.

Lena smiled. At least they’d have Argo as a refuge - where Lena wasn’t defined as Lex’s little sister, and Kara wasn’t defined by being a super.

---

Kara seemed oddly nervous that morning as they dressed. Lena was excited - to understand a little more of Kara’s home, to see a new culture - but she couldn’t quite understand her girlfriend’s nerves. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,” Lena said curiously. “You don’t need to worry.”

Kara smiled back, reaching out to take Lena’s hand as they exited her parents’ home. The markets took place twice a week, in the large central park that now served as Argo’s main gathering place. But it seemed Kara wasn’t going directly to the center of the large field, instead detouring to the east. “Where are we going?” Lena asked.

“I want to show you Argo’s heroes first.”

Lena tilted her head curiously, following the kryptonian. The expanse around the city was laid out in a series of ringed parks, and they rotated clockwise along the various paths, Kara pointing out different statues that honored the important historical figures of Krypton.

As they passed a playground, heading beyond the fourth ring of trees, Lena found herself looking at another statue ahead, with another bright and cheery view of the city’s skyscrapers in the background.

But what caught Lena’s eye this time as they approached the statue wasn’t the beautiful sights, but instead the familiar face staring back at her - proud and noble, holding glowing purple stone. What is this?, Lena thought.

They approached the statue - a small smile crossing Kara’s lips - and Lena’s eyes darted around it, eventually reading the plaque spelling her own name, with a string of kryptonian beneath. Lena could feel the blush crawling up her cheeks at her own confusion, her heart racing in disbelief. “Me?” Lena said softly. “They think I’m a hero?”

“You gave Argo the harun-el,” Kara said. “Every year, the Luthor Festival celebrates the day my mother returned with the recipe.”

The Luthor festival is about me, Lena thought, placing a hand at the base of the statue, realizing that tears were starting to threaten her vision. But she didn’t care. This… this is about me. What I did.

Kara smiled, squeezing Lena’s other hand, seeming to read her thoughts. “You saved all of them, Lena,” Kara said, as Lena’s heart raced, “To my people, the Luthor name is defined by you.”

Lena smiled widely, tears still threatening to spill as she turned into a waiting Kara’s arms, who squeezed her tightly. Lena’s arms wrapped around Kara in return, as she let out a choked laugh, placing her head on Kara’s shoulder as she melted into her. “Thank you for showing me this,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

---------------------------------

This headcanon was first mentioned in Echoes of the Forest, but I felt I wanted to write a ficlet for it. Please also check out this beautiful art I commissioned from @heeeygracie!

[lesbianrobin]

observations from grading hundreds of american college students' discussion posts and essays about film

before i get into this i want to be SO clear that this is not meant to be a "kids these days" thing, but more a commentary on the contemporary media landscape and the impacts of new media on young people's consumption habits. i think that young people's expectations of film are primarily a reflection of how they've been taught to watch and process film.

also, i teach intro, so these are not necessarily film or even humanities majors. many of my students are in computer science, engineering, etc. okay yay let's go <3

most american college students have quite literally Never seen a single movie that was not in english, and are very resistant to reading subtitles.

i've had multiple students comment that non-english language films which require them to read subtitles force them to actually look at the screen, which makes them notice more details in the film. they are not accustomed to actually Watching films, and doing so is novel to them. they're used to just turning things on in the background before doing other tasks/scrolling on their phones.

students frequently comment upon whether or not a film was able to hold their attention, and many consider it a failing of the film itself if not. many students also lose interest when they are confused or uncertain about what is happening in a movie, rather than becoming more invested or intrigued.

some do note that they have short attention spans, and will clearly state that they do not watch or enjoy many movies because of this.

things which students see as inherently boring include black and white films, silent films, non-English-language films, and films more than twenty years old. many students were shocked when they enjoyed a film within any of the aforementioned categories.

a lot of students will see all of the pieces of the puzzle, but struggle to put them together. for example: they will note that a detective character seems to care more about pinning a crime on somebody than they care about actually solving it, that the detective is bad at their job, that the detective brutalizes suspects, but they will not quite reach the conclusion that the film is doing these things intentionally. rather than concluding that the film is criticizing the police, they will be upset that the character is so awful.

one student insisted that mad max: fury road is a deeply misogynistic film because the women were treated as objects and wore skimpy clothes. the fact that the entire plot of the film is about said women asserting their personhood and overthrowing the patriarchal order to establish a more egalitarian and empathetic matriarchy was not relevant to her; what mattered was how they looked, and no amount of explanation could change her mind. i don't really have a clear theory of what was going on here, but i wanted to share it because it feels. poignant. in a way i cannot articulate.

many students see "old" films as inherently worse than contemporary films. they will often say things like, "the movie was really good for something from the fifties."

a lot of people have never heard of alfred hitchcock. i don't rly have a take on this it just stunned me.

and this last one isn't necessarily film-specific, but i do think it's relevant to discussing media literacy and the quality of k-12 + STEM-focused university education: so many students do not know how to format a paper, and do not know how/do not think to look up a style guide or even consult the syllabus or assignment sheet.

students often add additional spaces between paragraphs, and/or use 1.15 pt. spacing rather than double spacing their papers. they'll use calibri or arial rather than times new roman, in 11 pt. font rather than 12. they'll write out their thesis separately from their paragraphs, or not write in paragraphs at all, instead writing something that looks closer to stream-of-consciousness bullet-point notes.

it seems to me that many students somehow make it through high school and into university without ever learning how to write a paper. what really concerns me however is the fact that this information is extremely available to them; in the class syllabus, on their assignment sheet, even if you just google how to write a paper. i'm no expert in education and i don't want to be alarmist, but i do think that there is a concerning lack of curiosity and care in many students, primarily those studying in STEM fields. part of this is just the fact that many of my students are used to writing lab reports and this is a different sort of writing, but the lack of flexibility and ability to engage with other subjects is very sad to me.

plenty of my students are curious and read the syllabus and pay attention to the films and know how to write! but the number of those who struggle to formulate a coherent paragraph, let alone paper, who cannot identify basic themes, indicates to me that young people are seriously suffering from shortened attention spans, the lack of popular non-english language film and television in american culture, and the proliferation of "second-screen" streaming content designed to be "viewed" by audiences who are not paying attention.

i don't have a remedy for this. i don't totally know why i'm typing this all out, except that my tenure as a teaching assistant is coming to an end and i felt an irrepressible urge to reflect upon the experience. idk i suppose i hope this will be interesting to somebody. if you made it this far, thank you and i hope you're well <3

[hivemuthur]

Maybe this is gonna be a strange ask, but how do you think Viktor would be like, if he existed in the real world? Do you have any headcanons for real world Viktor, some adaptations of canon Arcane lore…? I’m new here, and I know you have stories set in modern times, but I kinda want to know your understanding of him first (so I get everything when I check those out).

Hi Anon! This is a very fun ask, thank you! And if you are new here, welcome! Got very long, so under the cut:

So, since in Arcane we see Viktor in around his 30s mostly and he is said to have an eastern-European accent (specifically Czech per Harry), first and foremost I HC him as a Czech millennial. And those facts matter to me in terms of his character building, because here the generations of millennials and gen-X overlap due to the existence of Soviet Block. What it means culturally: most of the western trends and technology were introduced to Eastern Europe throughout the 90s and 00s. The way his situation is presented in Arcane makes me believe that a character such as him wouldn't be coming from an imperial country. If we put him in his 30s now, he also wouldn't remember communism, but would be the last generation affected by it through his elders and the slow shift in the general system.

It's perfectly valid that he would still be disabled. As I favour femoral rotation for his disability, it's very likely that when he was born it wasn't spotted and treated properly, leading to him using a mobility aid throughout his life. I do believe that with medicine advancement in 00s, it would be possible for him to avoid wearing the back brace OR fully reverse the need for it due to the last few years rise in awareness about physiotherapy. When it comes to his lung disease: it wasn't very common in Europe to have areas so heavily polluted for him to have definitely developed it, but! If I were to give him one, it would be squamous cell lung cancer, which can affect anyone with proper genetic predisposal or weak immunity only after a short exposure to for example asbestos. I admit, I tend not to, because I really don't want him to die :c So, for me, he grew up in some small city in Czechia :x

As for what he is like: definitely a nerd. I can see him finishing biochem or maths/physics profile in highschool and then following it through to university (unis here are state, so education is free, you just have to pass the exams). Throughout school I can imagine him attending after-hours extracurriculars such as chemistry classes or programming classes where kids could play computer games on ZX-Spectrum in the last 30 minutes (and given how long those games would load it's not a lot of game time okay). I can see him programming his own games and being able to make an early radio receiver using a crystal detector. He would construct toys too. And maybe break toys to make new ones.

I think he would follow through with STEM/engineering but with an idealistic purpose. Oddly, I don't think he would become a physician (I'm a med person, so I'm allowed to say this) - I believe a lot of physicians are ego-driven (this is not necessarily a bad thing). There is no ego in anything Viktor is doing throughout the show: he doesn't attempt to steal Jayce's research, he wants to see it through, because it could change the world for the better. So he doesn't let Jayce drown. He's not interested in being the face of it. The ambition lies within the goal, not within the recognition.

Moreover, I think he would act from within deep philosophical understanding of life, which would lead to him reading a lot of books on different subjects. I can see him reading fantasy, sci-fi as well as people like Deleuze and Jorge Luis Borges and connecting all those dots. When it comes to relationships, I think he would be more open to those in modern era, especially when we erase the seizing fear of death coming from his health deteriorating. Still, hard to get through to or to be found by his person, but entirely more possible than in Arcane universe.

From smaller things, I think he would still be a workaholic. I think he would love animals, because it's impossible for someone so kind to not love them. I think he would feel alienated by the world and have difficulty taking pleasure from spending time with large groups of people simply because of his intelligence and the ability to think systemically. Which is why once someone who he gets on with appears, he would keep this person very close, no matter if it's friendship or romantic relationship.

In general, I think Viktor would grow up to be a very well-read, intelligent, kind and ambitious man that would struggle against the system his whole life. I think he feels a lot and deeply but doesn't show it so often, it would be visible in his work.

Okie, I think these are the most important aspects of his character in modern era for me. I hope I passed the test and now you can enjoy my modern Viktor blabber in fics!

[ravings-of-a-mad-scientist]

STE(A)M Meeting

Engineer: What if we added Art to STEM, so it says STEAM? Like a STEAM ENGINE?

Biologist: but i like stems…

Physicist: Sorry, but STEAM’s got my vote. I approve of all 7(ish?) phases of water. I think.

Computer Scientist: I vote for STEAM too, #PC gaming master race

Set Theorist: I will also vote in favor of increasingly large collections of seemingly unrelated things.

Education Professor: That's all very... dumb. F-. But, I have a pretty good idea on how to use the A so I'll vote for it too!

Biologist: :(

Artist: wtf, why am I here? What kinda nerdy sausage party is this?

Education Professor: (on hands and knees) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE OUR CURRICULUMS LESS BORING I DON'T KNOW HOW TO STOP ALL MY STUDENTS FALLING ASLEEP IF THEY CAN'T BE CREATIVE PLEASE

[historicity-was-already-taken]

hi! hope you're doing okay—I've got a holocaust-history-in-media question for you. I was talking to my brother the other day, and he mentioned how his 10-year-old son tried out "Anne Frank mode" on the meta VR headset. I was kind of horrified, because that sounds deeply exploitative and disrespectful—but he went on to say it's just a VR version of the Anne Frank house, and that it let my nephew explore history in a new way. He was able to touch things and move them around in a way he wouldn't be able to IRL, not to mention the accessibility of not having to travel.

My nephew's kind of an unusual kid, and he chose this "game" while at a friend's house. All the other kids got bored and left pretty much immediately, but he stayed to learn, and my brother says that at the end his takeaway was, "It's so sad. It's so sad and awful what human beings do to each other."

Part of me is just like "No, absolutely not, that is not for VR companies to profit off of in any way, this feels inherently exploitative." But idk. If it increases accessibility and education in a meaningful way, then perhaps that disquiet is simply reactionary.

Then I remembered I have access to an actual Holocaust historian, someone who even specializes in women's narratives and the media portrayals of same.

So, no worries if you're busy/don't have time to respond to this, but I thought it might be an interesting question for you. Do you think the VR Anne Frank house is a good thing?

Ooooooh this is an interesting one. It's also a question that I think I would have answered differently a few years ago. I mean, I've posted here about my issues with central role Anne Frank has been accorded within Holocaust memory, I've posted about the politics of people playing Pokemon Go at sites of atrocities and disasters...

But. Technology changes SO quickly. I read this fantastic article probably 10+ years ago now about how the millennial generation began to express collective nostalgia SO quickly and so young, because technology and the norms it introduces change so quickly. I'm 34 and while that's hardly ancient, the technological world inhabited by children and adolescents is effectively alien to me because of this massive, rapid, ongoing change.

Moreover, I think the pandemic gave us all an...unwanted but helpful bootcamp in what works wrt education over the phone/computer, and what doesn't. In my personal and professional life, I've met and spoken with STEM companies/individuals who specialize in working with museums, historical societies, etc. And they're not just in it to make a buck--they're there to work with museums etc in increasing access and keeping up with educational trends because they know it's important and smart people value STEAM education.

So, despite my acknowledged concerns issued in the first paragraph, and the kneejerk negative reaction I think you and I share, I think my conclusion is that this is a good thing. Like, as a Holocaust historian, pubic historian, educator, and now a Hebrew School teacher of 7-11 year olds, I think whatever gets kids interested and engaged is Good; whatever draws them and gets them thinking about it is Good; even if the tech and infrastructure involved is something that I previously took (philosophical) issue with.

This doesn't mean I don't still have concerns about the centrality of Anne Frank, but let's be real: I lost that battle a long time ago. I've said my piece, and if Anne Frank is going to be kids' gateway into learning about the Holocaust, I'm glad to see that it's being done responsibly, well, and in keeping with how kids engage with education and tech in 2024.

There are, obviously, many theoretical conversations to be had about the implications of this kind of thing, and I hope a grad student applies like, Walter Benjamin to it for a first year paper, but this is my answer purely in terms of access and education.

[mitchipedia]

Everyone is cheating their way through college: ChatGPT has unraveled the entire academic project

James D. Walsh at New York Intelligencer writes a deeply researched article on how students at “large state schools, the Ivies, liberal-arts schools in New England, universities abroad, professional schools, and community colleges” … “are relying on AI to ease their way through every facet of their education…. take their notes during class, devise their study guides and practice tests, summarize novels and textbooks, and brainstorm, outline, and draft their essays. STEM students are using AI to automate their research and data analyses and to sail through dense coding and debugging assignments. ‘College is just how well I can use ChatGPT at this point,’ [said a Utah student].”

If you cheat your way through college, are you cheating yourself? Robbing yourself of the education you’re paying tens of thousands of years for? Or is college just a gate you pass through to get to a higher-paying job and higher social status?

[Troy Jollimore, a poet, philosopher, and Cal State Chico ethics professor,] who has been teaching writing for more than two decades, is now convinced that the humanities, and writing in particular, are quickly becoming an anachronistic art elective like basket-weaving. “Every time I talk to a colleague about this, the same thing comes up: retirement. When can I retire? When can I get out of this? That’s what we’re all thinking now,” he said. “This is not what we signed up for.” Williams, and other educators I spoke to, described AI’s takeover as a full-blown existential crisis. “The students kind of recognize that the system is broken and that there’s not really a point in doing this. Maybe the original meaning of these assignments has been lost or is not being communicated to them well.”

He worries about the long-term consequences of passively allowing 18-year-olds to decide whether to actively engage with their assignments. Would it accelerate the widening soft-skills gap in the workplace? If students rely on AI for their education, what skills would they even bring to the workplace? Lakshya Jain, a computer-science lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, has been using those questions in an attempt to reason with his students. “If you’re handing in AI work,” he tells them, “you’re not actually anything different than a human assistant to an artificial-intelligence engine, and that makes you very easily replaceable. Why would anyone keep you around?” That’s not theoretical: The COO of a tech research firm recently asked Jain why he needed programmers any longer.

(Emphasis added by me.)

GenAI is a great assistant but if using GenAI is your only skill, why would anyone hire you?

GenAI is like Microsoft Office: It’s a tool. Everybody who works at a desk job nowadays needs to know how to use Office or its Google equivalent, but if using Office is all you know how to do, then you have no job skills.

The ideal of college as a place of intellectual growth, where students engage with deep, profound ideas, was gone long before ChatGPT. The combination of high costs and a winner-takes-all economy had already made it feel transactional, a means to an end. (In a recent survey, Deloitte found that just over half of college graduates believe their education was worth the tens of thousands of dollars it costs a year, compared with 76 percent of trade-school graduates.) In a way, the speed and ease with which AI proved itself able to do college-level work simply exposed the rot at the core. “How can we expect them to grasp what education means when we, as educators, haven’t begun to undo the years of cognitive and spiritual damage inflicted by a society that treats schooling as a means to a high-paying job, maybe some social status, but nothing more?” Jollimore wrote in a recent essay. “Or, worse, to see it as bearing no value at all, as if it were a kind of confidence trick, an elaborate sham?”

The article features Chungin “Roy” Lee, a twenty-something AI entrepreneur who has built tools — and businesses based on them — to enable people to use AI to cheat at college, on job interviews and even on dates.

“Every technological innovation has caused humanity to sit back and think about what work is actually useful,” [Lee] said. “There might have been people complaining about machinery replacing blacksmiths in, like, the 1600s or 1800s, but now it’s just accepted that it’s useless to learn how to blacksmith.”

If writing is going to be obsolete, like basket-weaving and blacksmithing, then so be it. I don’t worry about it. I write to set my thoughts in order, and I don’t anticipate stopping that.

As for work: If writing ceases to become a marketable skill … well, I’ll figure something out. “I’ll figure something out” has been a theme of my career.

[misandresther]

Hey Sara! your blog and many other blogs made me realise a lot of my mistakes and things I had been conditioned to follow. I kinda feel skeptical about doing engineering at the moment as it’s a very male dominated field and I don’t like them but I do like engineering. My family on the other hand is not that supportive saying that I am not determined or ambitious. What’s your opinion on that?

Love you lots btw☺️☺️

I'm glad that you connected with the radfem community here, and I'm very happy knowing you came across my account! Engineering, like most STEM fields, is largely male-dominated, but it is changing, and more and more women are shining! ( Here, the rate of women engineering graduates is among the highest worldwide, and if Moroccan women can do it, then so can you and any other woman. We make better engineers than men).

And yes, while engineering is a hard major at uni, and you'd need to be proficient at physics, maths, computers, if you feel like you can do it, if you like the field, if you see yourself having a future as an engineer, then yes, absolutely! Go for it!

Don't let anyone else dictate your life, even if they're your family or if you love them, especially not your academic life! Education is one of the few ways to escape your family/current situation for many women (myself included) and you being a girl does not change nor influences your chance at graduating with honors AT ALL. It's your hard work as a university student that does!

I think it's YOUR choice and yours only, and if you want my personal opinion, you'll make one hell of an engineer sis!! <3

[tyn-can-learning]

To Celebrate 13 years of supporting schools and colleges

13% DISCOUNT until the end of the year.

We will offer a 13% DISCOUNT on all our products until the end of the year. Simply visit the website choose your product and email mike@tyncan.com with the subject line 13% Discount

[garymerlow]

Get To Know Your Mutuals

Pretending I was tagged by @starrybouquet cause I need the distraction and I love answering questions about myself in a non-therapy setting, LOL

What’s the origin of your blog title?

It’s a line from Mark Owen’s song “Come Back”, which has been speaking to me lately. (Actually, I think if I’d heard it in any of the time since it came out, it would’ve spoken to me the whole time, but that’s neither here nor there)

OTP(s) + Shipnames

Too damn many to name, seriously! I’m a bit of an equal opportunity shipper, it’d be easier to get a list of pairings I don’t ship. Sorry if that’s a bit of a cop out.

Favorite Color

Yellow 💛 , though I love red/black/white/gold together in any combo. Light blue also really speaks to me as well. I just love colors…

Song Stuck In Your Head

Hard to have a song stuck when I’m listening to music right now. What’s playing is U2’s “Crumbs From Your Table”.

Weirdest Habit/Trait

Can’t talk too much about eyeball stuff or even really look into someone’s eyes in person without my eyes watering aggressively. It’s fucking embarrassing as hell and has lead to a fair few awkward moments.

Hobbies?

Not even sure I’ve got a lot of what constitutes as ‘hobbies’ right now? I guess my occasional photo editing and rare bead bracelet making would suffice, though the bracelets especially have been solely for myself.

If you work, what’s your profession?

I sort clothes at a thrift store, pretty much. It’s a lot more physical labor than you’d expect, but I get to listen to music or podcasts or fic all day long, and I rarely have to face customers, so I’m pretty happy there even if it feels like I don’t exist in the eyes of my coworkers 95% of the time.

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be?

The dream jobs that always cycle back regardless of impossibility are: special education teacher, music journalist, drummer/bassist/singer in a band though not all at once, and fashion designer…what lofty dreams I have, huh?

Something you’re good at?

I pride myself at being a good listening ear, if nothing else. I’m also pretty good at identifying 80s hits, but that’s not helpful unless it’s trivia night.

Something you hate?

The complexity of romance/friendship/sex.

Something you collect?

What don’t I collect LOL? I’ll just say pins/buttons.

Something you forget?

I apparently forget people’s birthdays…so sorry about that!

What’s your love language?

Shared experiences, always. Call it a side effect of my lifelong loneliness, but I cherish experiences with people I hold dear.

Favorite Movie/Show?

Favorite movie is Ocean’s 11, favorite show is 21 Jump Street :^)

Favorite Food?

Red beans and rice first and foremost…but beyond that I’m pretty basic and just love peel and eat shrimp.

Favorite Animal?

River otters! Or platypi!

What were you like as a child?

I’m probably not the one to ask about this if I’m honest haha…I was dealing with not properly diagnosed autism and social issues stemming from not talking until I was 4.5 yrs old. I used to chase boys on the playground and threaten to kiss them if I caught them (I never did but once) because I thought being boy crazy was something everyone did but I went too far with it. I was obsessed with dogs and cats, obsessed over cartoons and animation history, listened to oldies music from the 60s-80s while my peers were obsessed with Disney Channel music and hip-hop…I was a bit of a bookworm but not in the way other neurodivergent kids were to my knowledge. I had noise sensitivity issues that made social situations in large crowds REALLY tough. I’ve been told I was caring towards classmates who didn’t have a voice when I was able to lend that support. I wanted to be friends with everyone even if I wasn’t good at keeping them. Besides the constant company of my older sister, my childhood was pretty lonely on the whole.

Favorite subject at school?

Anything with computers, then history/social studies, then English. Could take or leave everything else.

Least favorite subject?

Math, but turns out it’s probably because I have the math form of dyslexia (along with ACTUAL dyslexia lol)

What’s your best character trait?

I…I don’t know. You should REALLY be asking my mutuals about that, I can’t come up with anything besides my kindness, I guess?

What’s your worst character trait?

I’m self introspective to the point of obsession, and it kinda leaks out into other factions of my life, especially my self esteem/image.

If you could change any detail of your life right now, what would it be?

I wish I had a more solid support system, but that’s something I should’ve been working on for years. But I think that would change my life/outlook on it more than anything short of systemic social change right now.

If you could travel in time, who would you like to meet?

There’s living people I’d like to meet right now (Robbie Williams and Michael Stipe spring to mind first), but if we’re speaking people who have passed, I’d say I’d either like to meet Michael Hutchence, or I’d like to have one more day with my late grandfather.

Leaving this as an open tag for whomever wishes to do this, I’d love to read your responses!

[infwctednyacifier]

henlo it is i ;; that one anon that mentioned having classes with you !! saw ur post abt an ask game sooo here i go :D (we only took one question from the og post and then added some other questions !)

who was your first alter you discovered?

any collective fears?

how did you guys come up with your system name(s)? (since you had mentioned having side systems a while ago i think)

how do you experience switches, and how do they look for you?

ever had a moment where ur like "uh oh im not actually faking"?

AAAAND FINALLY!!!!

do you guys have a system journal?

THAT'S ALL!!!! :D feel free to answer all or skip any questions y'all aren't comfortable with !!!!! have a good day👾

Okay les go :3

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST ALTER DISCOVERED ?

Okay, so, as mentioned before, this is not muir first time being plural but in actuality, squid's the only person to remember any previous systems and squid doesn't wanna really talk about it with others because it's a sensitive topic but squid will discuss it with them soon because squid feels like they deserve to know. Anyways, the answer is Ephani/Stephani who was the first headmate to establish verbal contact once before falling silent and using shared emotions/thoughts from then on but wei think he locked in this morning because wei cooked during algebra!! 😎

ANY COLLECTIVE FEARS ?

Not that squid or wei know of? There are definitely common phobias, like ones that a lot of residents have and those tend to be the fear of; social spaces, the dark, insects, heights, and getting sick and the last one actually is part of the reason why wei have a Teri from TAWOG fictive! There are also some less common phobias like Price has one related to war and that's pretty much kept to him due to his source memories.

HOW DID YOU GUYS COME UP WITH SYSTEM NAMES ?

Jesus Christ no clue. "The Data System" was the name of a previous system that they made up because we liked computers and AI stuff and still do. The others were obvious;

The Twitch Chat Subsystem is a subsystem inspired by Twitch and the users you'll find on there and may be actually gaining some members soon!

Poi's Sidesystem is, well, Poi's Sidesystem.

Sidemates is because we coined a term to describe them. It's just side + headmates because they're headmates on the side and don't really identify as being in any system.

The Council is just ominous and is our most powerful so it made sense.

The Normal Sidesystem was just they're supposed to be "normal" which squid mentioned after the second system collapse occured and squid discovered them. They're normal because they fulfill basic life stuff like health, love, etc.

The Nightlight Collective is because nightlights and imaginary friends that stem from plushies just go together well. Also wei kinda have nyctophobia as a common fear and slept with a nightlight until wei were like 10-12 but that changed when wei got a lamp that could illuminate muir entire room. We still associate nightlights with safety, comfort, and childhood!

HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE SWITCHES AND HOW DO THEY LOOK FOR YOU ?

Okay, so, this is a complicated question because wei have undiagnosed but educated self diagnosed partial DID. Partial DID is the little brother of DID with the most prominent difference is a "dominant personality" that basically cannot leave front without a LOT of work to achieve so and squid splitting from Satus sent squid into front and squid've been stuck in here for a while but wei're working on freeing squid! Anyways, wei instead experience blurring though wei basically don't fully front and instead residents will chill outside or inside the fronting room plus there's the issue of squid being a vessel so squid's pretty blurry! But wei can feel when it's different because wei can feel a new presence/part of an identity is the best way wei can describe it. Wei're working towards full or just partial switches + ofc verbal communication!

EVER HAD A MOMENT WHERE UR LIKE " UH OH I'M NOT ACTUALLY FAKING " ?

Yep. Everytime squid or wei doubt muir plurality, we feel something disagree. Like a feeling of just "no, hazard's wrong" (second person neoprn) and squid's or wei're like "oh yeah, wei literally check like every symptom of partial DID and literally EVERY TIME wei question muir plurality, that feeling returns". Just happens every time and as time goes on, wei really don't doubt muirselves that much anymore 🙃

DO YOU GUYS HAVE A SYSTEM JOURNAL ?

Not really? Squid guess muir system journal is just muir notes in Simply Plural but only two residents actually have notes lol. Maybe muir Tumblr could count as a journal? Wei have posts from around back when wei were a system of 7 and maybe some archive has deleted posts of previous systems 🤷🏻

Have a good day too!!! :3

[zenmasterlover]

If the gang went to college, here’s what I think they’d major in and why:

Eric: engineering or early elementary education- no specific type of engineering, I totally see him as an engineering STEM geek. They’re always such cuties! I also do see him in early elementary, he’s got a good heart and I totally see him as like a first grade teacher

Kelso: computer science- in an earlier season episode, they showed how smart Kelso was with technology. Hot take but, I honestly don’t see him being bad at math but he’s just stupid in all other subjects

Hyde: history and philosophy- more specifically military history. I see him being the kid who loves reading books about different wars and would definitely get a kick out of famous philosophers and questioning their morales

Donna: Journalism and woman and gender studies- I truly wish the writers let her go to college to pursue her journalism career. Since she preaches feminism, I also see her loving woman and gender studies or something with a diversity feature to it! I see her creating her own women in music magazine after college

Jackie: business and fashion merchandising- taking after her father, she would 100% be a businesswoman. She would be the founder of her own luxury clothing brand

Fez: Communication- this was difficult. I really don’t know what to put for him. I kinda see him in communications just to get girls since communications is majority female

[campus-vibes]

🌟 Life at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka: A Journey Beyond Academics

🔗 Official Website: https://www.sab.ac.lk/

Nestled in the beautiful hill country of Belihuloya, the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) is not just an institution for higher education—it’s a complete ecosystem for knowledge, innovation, and personal growth. With a unique blend of nature, academic excellence, cultural diversity, and student engagement, SUSL has established itself as one of the most vibrant universities in Sri Lanka.

Let’s explore what makes this university a truly holistic learning experience.

🎓 Academic Excellence Through Diverse Faculties

SUSL houses several faculties, each tailored to deliver industry-relevant, research-based, and skill-oriented education. Here’s a deeper look:

🧑‍🌾 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences

Preparing students for climate-resilient and technology-driven agriculture, this faculty integrates practical fieldwork, lab-based research, and modern agritech practices.

Specialized areas: Agribusiness Management, Plantation Management, and Crop Science.

Facilities include a university farm, greenhouses, and plant tissue labs.

💼 Faculty of Management Studies

This faculty is a hub of innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Offers degrees in Marketing, Accounting, Business Management, and Tourism.

Strong industry links, internship programs, and a business incubation center help bridge theory and practice.

🖥️ Faculty of Computing

A newly established and rapidly growing faculty, offering degrees in cutting-edge areas like:

Software Engineering

Computer Science

Data Science

Information Systems Students benefit from modern computing labs, coding competitions, and project-based learning in collaboration with the tech industry.

⚙️ Faculty of Applied Sciences

Focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education and research.

Departments include Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Biological Sciences.

Advanced laboratory facilities and field studies enhance hands-on learning.

🧪 Faculty of Geomatics

Unique to SUSL, this faculty specializes in geospatial technologies and earth sciences.

Offers degrees in Surveying Sciences and GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

Prepares students for careers in surveying, urban planning, disaster management, and remote sensing.

🌍 Faculty of Social Sciences & Languages

Equipping students to address social, cultural, economic, and political challenges through:

Degrees in Sociology, Political Science, and Languages (English, Sinhala, Tamil).

Cultural awareness programs, language labs, and public speaking forums.

🛠️ Faculty of Technology

Focusing on future-ready technology disciplines, including:

Biosystems Technology

Engineering Technology

Construction Technology

Mechatronics This faculty emphasizes problem-solving, research, and design thinking in all its programs.

🌱 A Campus That Breathes Sustainability

SUSL is set amidst lush greenery, forests, and a reservoir, promoting a deep respect for the environment.

Sustainable practices include rainwater harvesting, waste management, and plastic-free zones.

Nature trails, eco-clubs, and conservation projects give students opportunities to learn from nature while preserving it.

🧑‍🎓 Student Life: Balance Between Study and Fun

✨ Daily Life

Classes in the morning

Study groups under trees or by the lake

Canteen meals with friends

Sports and clubs in the evening

Quiet study or hostel activities at night

🌐 Cultural Diversity

With students from all over the island, SUSL celebrates:

Sinhala & Tamil New Year festivals

Multilingual debates

Intercultural nights and exhibitions This diversity builds respect, unity, and lifelong friendships.

🏆 Extra-Curricular Excellence

SUSL students shine beyond the classroom. The university supports:

Sports

Cricket, rugby, badminton, athletics, martial arts, and more

Regular inter-faculty competitions and national-level representation

Clubs & Societies

Gavel Club – for public speaking

IEEE & IT Clubs – for coding and tech

Environmental Society – for sustainability

Music, Dance, Drama Societies – for cultural expression

Rotaract & Leo Clubs – for leadership and volunteering

🏛️ Facilities & Campus Life

🏠 Hostels with a peaceful and secure environment

📚 A fully-equipped library with digital and physical resources

🧪 Modern laboratories and research centers

🍛 Affordable and clean canteens

🚌 Campus shuttle and scenic walking paths

🧑‍⚕️ Health Center with medical and counseling services

📶 Wi-Fi zones and tech support

🔮 Looking Ahead

Sabaragamuwa University is committed to global expansion and academic innovation:

Partnerships with international universities

Smart classrooms and e-learning systems

Plans for new faculties and programs

Research funding and student entrepreneurship support

💬 Final Words

Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka is more than a place to earn a degree—it's a place to grow, lead, and inspire. From nature lovers to tech enthusiasts, from business leaders to language experts, SUSL has something for everyone.

✅ Visit the official website to explore more: https://www.sab.ac.lk/

— Written by Rashmi Tharaka Sewwandi