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Apple Sends Congratulatory Letters to 2024 Swift Student Challenge Winners

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Some Swift Student Challenge winners today began receiving congratulatory certificates from Apple, with one Distinguished Winner sharing a images of the letter he received from Apple.

swift student challenge 2024

We’re honored to recognize you as a Distinguished Winner of the 2024 Swift Student Challenge. Your app playground stands among the best of the best in this year’s challenge, demonstrating your creativity, passion for coding, and commitment to building great apps.

You’ve truly inspired us and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

Apple this year picked a total of 350 winners, including 50 Distinguished Winners. Winners are meant to receive AirPods Max headphones, but Apple appears to be sending that reward in a separate shipment.

While all 350 Swift Student Challenge winners were eligible to apply to attend Apple’s June 10 WWDC special event at Apple Park, the Distinguished Winners are being invited to Cupertino for a three-day ‌Apple Park‌ event that also includes time to interface with Apple engineers.

Apple’s annual Swift Student Challenge tasks students with creating an innovative coding project using the Swift Playgrounds app. Projects are judged based on technical accomplishment, creativity of ideas, and the content of the written responses that explain the project.

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Swift Student Challenge winners inspired by family needs

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Apple showcased the family-inspired coding work of three Swift Student Challenge winners Wednesday. The iPhone giant changed up its annual coding competition this year by naming 50 students Distinguished Winners among 350 top coders overall. The 50 get to attend a special event at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC24).

“This year’s winning Swift Student Challenge submissions once again demonstrate the breadth and depth of what is possible when talented young people use coding to make their mark on the world,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.

“We’re also incredibly proud to welcome more outstanding student developers than ever before to Apple Park to connect with our teams and each other as they continue to build apps that will no doubt transform our future for the better,” she added.

These 3 Swift Student Challenge winners sought coding inspiration from family

Elena Galluzzo, Dezmond Blair and Jawaher Shaman are among this year’s 50 Swift Student Challenge Distinguished Winners. Like many of the 350 winning students overall, who hail from 35 countries and regions worldwide, their app playgrounds are personal. Their coding inspiration came from their families.

Apple selects winners based on their app playgrounds that stand out for innovation, creativity, social impact or inclusivity. The 50 Distinguished Winners may attend a “three-day in-person experience” at Apple Park during WWDC24.

Elena Galluzzo: Care Capsule app

Swift Student Challenge Winner - Elena Galluzzo
Elena Galluzzo’s app Care Capsule is designed to serve as an all-in-one assistant for elderly people.
Photo: Apple

Toronto, Canada resident Elena Galluzzo designed her app Care Capsule to serve as an all-in-one assistant for elderly people like her grandmother.

“My grandmother is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease and requires full-time care,”  Galluzzo said. “And it’s also hard on my grandfather because it can be quite lonely — even though he lives with his children and grandchildren, a lot of older people don’t. Canada has an aging population, so I think it’s really important to keep looking into ways we can help people in this field, and coding is one way I can contribute.”

Here’s what Apple said she did:

Galluzzo designed Care Capsule to be an all-in-one assistant for elderly people. She used Apple’s machine learning framework Create ML to build a chatbot that analyzes interactions with the user to deduce whether they are experiencing loneliness or depression. The app also lets users track their medications, connect with community resources, and keep a record of positive memories.

After Galluzzo graduates with a degree in business this spring, she hopes to publish Care Capsule on the App Store, potentially incorporating what she learns when she attends WWDC24 in June.

“Being able to meet other people who have the same passion as I do is very exciting,” said Galluzo, who is about to graduate from college with a business degree and hopes to publish Care Capsule on the App Store.

“I’m also really looking forward to seeing what new frameworks are coming out and how I could use them,” she added. “I think it’s very cool to be able to create something that can tap into your device’s native functionality and help solve important challenges at the same time.”

Dezmond Blair: MTB XTREME app

Swift Student Challenge
Blair’s app MTB XTREME puts users behind the handlebars of a mountain bike.
Photo: Apple

Dezmond Blair’s app MTB XTREME sits more in the recreational realm. But family inspired it. It puts users on a mountain bike with 360-degree view of surrounding trails.

Michigan native Blair grew up mountain biking with his little brother. He also worked on a secondhand computer that his family could not afford to connect it to the internet.

“After growing up in a trailer park, it became really important for me to make sure that I was keeping up on all my grades because my parents told me when I was young, ‘You’re definitely not ending up like we were,’” Blair said. “They spent a lot of their life trying to make sure that I wouldn’t have to struggle the same way they did, and so that’s where my inspiration and my passion comes from.”

After landing an associate’s degree in computer programming, Blair started at the Apple Developer Academy in Detroit, where he learned Apple’s coding language, Swift, and made his iPad app. He hopes to release a more immersive version for Apple Vision Pro. He’s off to a good start, having launched a company to design app prototypes he calls Easy Dez It.

And what’s his goal in all this? It comes down to his parents.

“I want to end up buying them a house one day,” says Blair. “They’ve done so much for me and my little brother, so I have to pay it forward.”

Jawaher Shaman My Child app

Swift Student Challenge
Shaman created her app My Child to help children with speech conditions.
Photo: Apple

Jawaher Shaman, who grew up in Saudia Arabia, now studies the Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh. As a kid, she was very close to her grandfather, but he died when she was 5 years old. She soon developed a stutter that took a long time to overcome.

She intends her winning app playground, My Child, to help others with speech conditions.

“My father never made me feel different, and I hope my app will do the same for any child or young person who suffers from stuttering,” she said. “I don’t want them to ever feel like stuttering is a hurdle they can’t overcome.”

Here’s what the app does:

My Child tells Shaman’s story through the eyes of a child who stutters, and features characters inspired by her father and grandfather. The app guides users through exercises that help slow down their breathing and prepare them for real-life experiences like reading a story in class. Shaman used AVFAudio to add sounds that mimic the way her father would break sentences into small, more manageable parts.

After graduation, Shaman will work as a programmer in Saudi Arabia, and she also wants to publish My Child on the App Store and continue creating apps that assist others.

“I hope to use technology to help children who are neurodivergent because I know what it’s like to feel different,” said Shaman, who intends to become a programmer and hopes to publish My Child on the App Store.

“Coding for me opened up a world of possibilities, and it brings me one step closer to achieving my goals, which are to help people and create a lasting impact,” she added.

Last year’s Swift Student Challenge winners did inspiring work, too.

Source: Apple



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Apple Notifying WWDC 2024 Swift Student Challenge Winners

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Students who entered the WWDC 2024 coding challenge can today sign in to Apple’s Swift Student Challenge website to find out if they’ve won. Apple has selected 350 winners, who are eligible to attend the ‌WWDC 2024‌ special event at Apple Park on Monday, June 10.

swift student challenge 2024
There are 50 Distinguished Winners who will be invited to Cupertino for a three-day ‌Apple Park‌ event that will include the keynote meetup and two additional days of opportunities to interface with Apple engineers.

Those who are not selected as Distinguished Winners can enter Apple’s lottery for a chance to be able to be selected to go to the ‌Apple Park‌ keynote event. Apple is inviting developers and students to apply, but because space is limited, selections are made through a random process. Lottery winners will be notified on Thursday, April 4.

Swift Student Challenge winners who are not picked to go to the ‌Apple Park‌ event can follow along with Apple’s announcements on the Apple Developer website, the Apple Developer app, and YouTube. Winners will also be eligible to enter to attend future WWDC events for the next two years.

Lottery winners selected for Apple’s event will need to fund their own travel to Cupertino, California, purchasing plane tickets and hotel accommodations.

Apple’s annual Swift Student Challenge tasks students with creating an innovative coding project using the Swift Playgrounds app. Projects are judged based on technical accomplishment, creativity of ideas, and the content of the written responses that explain the project.

In addition to being eligible to attend the ‌WWDC 2024‌ special event, Swift Student Challenge winners also receive a one year membership in the Apple Developer Program and exclusive merchandise. This year’s winners are receiving free AirPods Max headphones.

‌WWDC 2024‌ is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14.

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Apple to Announce 2024 Swift Student Challenge Winners on March 28

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As part of today’s WWDC 2024 announcement, Apple said that it plans to announce this year’s Swift Student Challenge winners on Thursday, March 28. The annual Swift Student Challenge asks students to create an innovative coding project using the Swift Playgrounds app.

swift student challenge 2024
While Apple normally starts the Swift Student Challenge when WWDC dates are announced, the company launched the challenge early to give students more time to work on their projects.

Submissions were accepted from February 5 to February 25, and are now closed.

Apple is selecting 350 winners for the 2024 challenge, all of whom will be eligible to attend the June 10 WWDC Special Event at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. Winners will need to enter the lottery process to get a chance to attend.

Apple is also choosing 50 Distinguished Winners recognized for “outstanding submissions.” The Distinguished Winners will be invited to Cupertino for a three-day experience that will include the Special Event keynote viewing and other activities.

Swift Student Challenge winners will be informed via email if they’ve won later this week. Projects are judged based on technical accomplishment, creativity of ideas, and the content of written responses explaining the project.

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Communication barriers for a Deaf PhD student meant risking burnout

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Megan Majocha signing next to a microscope in the lab

Megan Majocha, a tumour-biology researcher in the laboratory at the US National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, says Deaf researchers shouldn’t have to spend time developing sign language for their science.Credit: NIH

Sign language in science

The lack of scientific terms and vocabulary in many of the world’s sign languages can make science education and research careers inaccessible for deaf people and those with hearing loss. Meet the scientists, sign-language specialists and students working to add scientific terms and concepts to sign languages. In the third of four articles showcasing their efforts, Megan Majocha, a tumour-biology PhD student at Georgetown University in Washington DC, who is part of the Georgetown–National Institutes of Health Graduate Partnerships Program, describes how she worked with interpreters to develop the signed scientific lexicon necessary to conduct her research.

I am from a third-generation Deaf family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I went to a primary school for Deaf children and then to a mainstream secondary school at the age of 12. My parents thought it would be a good idea for me to learn how to work with interpreters in the mainstream, hearing world while I was at school, so that I had exposure to both worlds.

I worked with the same interpreter for six years from grade 7 (age 12) until the end of secondary school. We collaborated to develop signs for scientific terms — asking each other, “Would this sign make sense for this specific term,” and that kind of thing. It was a lot of work for me in my early teens, to try to develop these scientific signs as well as learning the subject content.

I started my PhD in August 2019 at Georgetown University in Washington DC. I am in my fifth year and I expect to defend my thesis in the next few months. Speaking to a few other Deaf scientists during my PhD, I learnt that we all have different signs for scientific terms: even though they have the same meaning in English, we all sign them differently because we have all developed our own separate ways of signing terms that aren’t in the American Sign Language (ASL) dictionary.

I had to develop my own team of interpreters for my first-year graduate school courses. They worked with me Monday to Friday for each course I took and in the laboratory. It is beneficial to have that consistency for both me and my interpreting team, because we can develop signs together and the interpreters can become familiar with my work and the content of the course for each class.

By law, US universities are required to provide and pay for interpreters, so both my institutions, Georgetown University and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, provide interpreters at no cost to me.

I have to be conscious of how an interpreter might voice my research and scientific ideas to my colleagues, collaborators and prospective mentors. I’d be hesitant to pick an interpreter whom I didn’t know to speak on my behalf, especially for a formal presentation — partly because some scientific terms share the same sign. For example, the signs for the words ‘dye’ and ‘stain’ are the same in ASL — on both hands the index finger and thumb are touching, the other fingers are extended with the palms facing down, and the hands move up and down to represent dipping a material into a dye. Although it’s the same sign, the English words have completely different meanings in the scientific field. If I’m doing a presentation and the interpreter uses the wrong word, that can make me look like I’m not knowledgeable and that I don’t know what I’m talking about.

Having an interpreter who’s motivated to learn these nuances is really important. For example, the interpreters here at the NIH watch the lab team do experiments and ask questions about our research, which is helpful. When I have to stop to explain things, I try not to think of it as wasting my time, when I could be doing my own work. Sometimes I have to take a few minutes to explain a process or concept while I do an experiment, but that can be beneficial in the long run.

Progress and burnout

I’ve focused on developing signs that work for me and my interpreters. But ASL has specific grammar rules for each sign, which a lot of the signs my interpreters and I have created probably don’t follow. That’s one of our many challenges: to develop signs for all Deaf scientists that follow the official ASL grammar rules.

Three other Deaf people work in my lab. One is a biologist who has worked here for more than 20 years. He’s developed a spreadsheet of scientific words and an explanation of how you sign each one. For example, the sign I use for metastasis starts with both hands facing each other with the fingers bent and moving in a zigzag motion, which indicates disorder, then both hands are extended forward simultaneously, moving apart to represent the cells spreading out.

But this is not necessarily the best way to preserve a visual, signed language. Therefore, we are trying to develop a way to film the signs so that interpreters watching the videos can learn them. That would be a much better resource.

All of this has been a lot of work. I would love to have the chance to focus solely on my research, but I’ve been juggling my time between research, creating signs, working with my network of interpreters and everything else. The COVID-19 pandemic added to the problem. Before COVID-19, interpreters worked on site all the time. But now many of them prefer to work remotely. However, interpreting through a video call is not as useful as having an interpreter in the lab. We need them on site for spontaneous conversations when we’re troubleshooting protocols. This has made it even harder to find interpreters who can work at this level of science.

I am feeling burnt out from all this legwork. My energy should be invested in my research and my coursework, not making sure each interpreter understands what’s going on. It’s so much to manage, sometimes I feel like I have earned a PhD in linguistics, too. Continuing research after my PhD is still one of my options, but I’m also looking into project management or consultant jobs that use the knowledge and skills that I have developed.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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How To Use Budgeting Apps for Your Student Loan Repayment

 Budgeting Apps

As student loan payments resumed on October 1, 2023, reassessing your monthly budgets is now more crucial than ever. Like other borrowers, meeting all your expenses is likely on top of your concerns after a temporary freeze on student loan payments and interest rates.

Many borrowers are already dealing with financial strain, even without student loan payments. Thankfully, various budgeting apps are available to help borrowers organize finances and manage repayment obligations comfortably.

In this article, we’ll walk you through specific tips on how you can use budgeting apps to repay your student loans.

Understanding How the Resumption of Student Loan Repayment Affects You

With already constrained budgets, you may feel overwhelmed now that student loans are accruing interest again. According to The Washington Post, this change could mean an extra burden of around $300 on the monthly budgets of millions of individuals.

The impact of the resumption can be monumental if you have incurred additional debt throughout the payment pause. It can cause you to miss payments on credit cards and other debts, such as mortgages and auto loans.

Many strategies can help you manage multiple debts, including student loans. Suppose you’re carrying a pile of student loan obligations. You have the option to refinance student loan. Still, learning how to fit your student loan payments into your budget is essential.

Balancing your income and expenses can ease the burden of paying down your student loans and other debt obligations. Read to learn how to tackle your student loan debt confidently using budgeting apps.

Tips on Using Budgeting Apps To Repay Your Student Loans

Establishing a budget for your student loans is vital to the repayment process. However, fitting these loans into your budget can be challenging when dealing with many things. The good news is that technology simplifies budgeting by letting you track all your financial accounts.

A budget app is a technological tool designed to assist individuals in monitoring income, expenses, and savings goals. Some applications have features that can help you repay debts, like student loans and credit card balances.

Budget apps are usually accessible on smartphones, tablets, or computers. Similar to any other digital tool, you must be wise in using it to maximize its benefits. Consider these tips to get started:

Select a user-friendly budgeting app

Budgeting apps differ in quality and features, so not all can help with your financial goals. Do thorough research before downloading one. Doing so can help you avoid wasting time and money on an app with features you won’t use.

Identify your priorities when deciding on which budgeting app to use. You’d want to select something with a user-friendly interface that is compatible with the devices you’re using. See to it that the app offers privacy and security protection, such as multi-factor authentication and biometrics.

Determine what you owe

Determining what loans you have and the corresponding payment amounts and due dates is another crucial step when using a budgeting app. Ensure each account and balance are accurate and current.

Some apps may come with features that let you connect your account to another financial tool and view your credit standing. While it can be overwhelming to see your balances, knowing what and how much you owe can help you create a realistic repayment plan.

Figure out your budget

Consider a budget as a plan for how you use your money. When figuring out your budget for student loan repayment, calculate your monthly income sources and expenses. Your income and expenses might differ since the pause in student loan payments.

Suppose you make consistent payments on your student loans during the three-year hiatus. You may not need to change your budget. Otherwise, you’ll need to find areas for spending cuts to incorporate student loan repayment into your budget or allocate more cash toward paying down your debts.

Use debt repayment strategies

Deciding on what debt repayment strategy you want to use is also beneficial. Some apps come with an attribute that enables you to create the payoff strategy that makes the most sense for your student loan debt.

The snowball and avalanche methods are the strategies commonly used in debt repayment. With the snowfall method, you prioritize paying off the smallest debt first. Conversely, the avalanche method addresses the debt with the highest interest.

Whichever strategy works best depends on your unique situation and preference. Look for an app that enables you to access the payoff summary timeline and assess the potential impact of your options.

Set up automatic payments

Some budgeting apps let you set up automatic payments on recurring bills and loan payments. In most cases, you can link the app to your checking or credit card accounts, automatically allowing you to repay your loan every month.

They may also come with due date trackers. These features in budgeting apps are excellent ways to prevent missing loan payments and incurring late fees and penalties. Take advantage of them to simplify your financial transactions and protect your credit scores in the long run.

Monitor your debt payoff progress

Like other financial goals, monitoring the progress of your student loan repayment is crucial. One advantage of doing this is that you get a visual representation of your accomplishments.

Your progress can motivate you to pay off your debts and make more informed financial decisions. More importantly, tracking your debt payoff progress can inform you whether you need to adjust your budget and strategy.

Speed Up Your Student Loan Repayment With Smart Budgeting

Student loans can be a substantial source of stress, affecting your financial independence and quality of life. Some people effectively manage their debts using a traditional spreadsheet or even with only pen and paper.

But with budgeting apps, you can be more strategic and speed up your student loan repayment. Since these apps let you set up effective alerts, keeping tabs on your payment due dates and gaining control of your financial future will be much easier.

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Environmental Responsibility and Student Travel

In today’s rapidly changing world, the concept of environmental responsibility has evolved from a mere suggestion to an absolute necessity. Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges in the form of climate change, resource depletion, and habitat destruction. As a result, the responsibility to preserve and protect our environment has become an integral part of our collective consciousness. Exploring the intersection of environmental responsibility and student travel is not just an academic endeavor; it’s a call to action for the conscientious traveler. Whether you’re looking to write my paper at DoMyPaper on this vital topic or embark on your next adventure, understanding how to minimize your environmental footprint while exploring the world is essential.

Amid this global awakening to environmental issues, it becomes crucial to examine how various aspects of our lives contribute to these challenges. One often-overlooked area is student travel. The act of students embarking on journeys, whether for educational, leisure, or personal reasons, leaves an indelible mark on the environment. From the fuel burned during flights to the emissions from cars, the environmental impact of student travel cannot be underestimated.

The Environmental Impact of Student Travel

To truly grasp the environmental impact of student travel, it’s essential to start with the cold, hard numbers. Statistics reveal a stark reality: the carbon footprint associated with student travel is far from insignificant. Whether it’s a short weekend trip or a semester abroad, the emissions generated by students collectively contribute to climate change.

One of the key factors contributing to this carbon footprint is the choice of transportation. Students often rely on various modes of transport, such as cars, planes, and buses, to reach their destinations. Each of these modes comes with its own set of environmental consequences, from the greenhouse gas emissions of automobiles to the substantial energy consumption of air travel.

This article also emphasizes the significant role that student travel plays in the broader context of climate change. While it may be tempting to view individual student journeys as inconsequential, the cumulative impact of millions of students traveling across the globe cannot be ignored. By examining the larger picture, we can better understand how student travel fits into the complex web of environmental challenges our world faces today.

Benefits of Student Travel

Student travel offers a plethora of benefits that extend beyond the mere act of exploring new places. From an educational perspective, traveling provides unique opportunities for students to learn about different cultures, histories, and ecosystems. It’s a classroom without walls, where real-world experiences shape a deeper understanding of the world.

Environmental responsibility and student travel are two critical aspects of today’s world, where conscientious travelers and those seeking assistance from an essay writing service alike are increasingly aware of the need to minimize their ecological impact while exploring the globe. On a personal level, student travel contributes to individual growth and development. Exposure to diverse perspectives fosters open-mindedness, adaptability, and self-confidence. It challenges preconceived notions and encourages self-discovery, ultimately leading to personal enrichment.

Moreover, student travel has the potential to open doors to future career and networking opportunities. Building a global network, gaining international exposure, and developing cross-cultural communication skills can be invaluable assets in a competitive job market. Employers often value candidates with a broader worldview and the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.

Environmental Responsibility in Student Travel

When it comes to environmental responsibility in student travel, one of the most critical aspects is the choice of transportation. Students can make a significant difference by opting for eco-friendly modes of travel, such as:

  1. Public Transportation: Utilizing public transportation systems, like buses and trains, not only reduces the carbon footprint but also helps students connect with local communities. It’s an environmentally sound choice that can also enhance the cultural experience of travel.
  2. Carpooling and Ridesharing: Sharing rides with fellow travelers or using ridesharing services can dramatically decrease the number of vehicles on the road, leading to reduced emissions. Carpooling fosters camaraderie among travelers while contributing to a greener planet.
  3. Cycling and Walking: For shorter distances, cycling and walking are not only eco-friendly but also promote physical health and a deeper connection with the environment. Exploring a new city on foot or by bicycle can be an enriching experience.
  4. Hybrid or Electric Vehicles: If car travel is unavoidable, choosing hybrid or electric vehicles can significantly reduce the environmental impact. These vehicles produce fewer emissions and consume less fuel, making them a responsible choice for eco-conscious student travelers.

Another essential aspect of environmental responsibility while traveling is reducing energy consumption. Students can make a positive impact by:

  • Packing Light: Traveling with minimal luggage reduces the weight of vehicles, leading to lower fuel consumption. It also makes moving around more manageable and less energy-intensive.
  • Using Energy-Efficient Accommodations: Opting for accommodations that have implemented energy-saving measures, such as LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances, helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with lodging.
  • Turning Off Lights and Appliances: A simple yet effective practice is to turn off lights, air conditioners, and other appliances when not in use. This not only conserves energy but also saves money for budget-conscious student travelers.

Sustainable accommodation choices are another crucial aspect of environmentally responsible student travel. Students can make a difference by:

  • Staying in Eco-Friendly Hotels: Many hotels now prioritize sustainability, offering options like solar power, water-saving fixtures, and waste reduction programs. Choosing such accommodations supports the green hospitality industry.
  • Hostels and Guesthouses with Green Initiatives: Hostels and guesthouses are often more budget-friendly than hotels and may also implement eco-friendly practices. Students can look for hostels with green certifications or initiatives.
  • Camping and Eco-Lodges: For adventurous travelers, camping and eco-lodges provide a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature while minimizing their environmental impact. These options often employ sustainable practices and have a smaller ecological footprint.

Responsible tourism practices play a vital role in minimizing the environmental impact of student travel. Students can do their part by:

  • Respect for Local Cultures and Communities: Learning about and respecting local customs, traditions, and values fosters cultural exchange and minimizes the negative impact of tourism on indigenous cultures.
  • Minimizing Waste and Practicing Recycling: Carrying reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and utensils can help reduce waste while traveling. Also, make use of recycling facilities whenever available.
  • Supporting Sustainable Tourism Initiatives: Opt to participate in tours and activities that prioritize sustainability and conservation efforts. By supporting such initiatives, students contribute to the preservation of natural and cultural treasures for future generations.

Tips for Student Travelers

To travel responsibly and minimize their environmental footprint, student travelers can follow these practical tips:

  1. Planning Ahead and Being Organized: Careful planning can help students choose eco-friendly transportation and accommodations in advance. It also allows for a more efficient and sustainable itinerary.
  2. Researching Eco-Friendly Options and Destinations: Before embarking on a journey, researching destinations known for their sustainable practices and eco-friendly attractions can lead to a more responsible travel experience.
  3. Packing Smart and Sustainable: Prioritize packing essentials, and avoid single-use plastics and disposable items. Packing a reusable water bottle, cloth bags, and eco-friendly toiletries can reduce waste.
  4. Connecting with Like-Minded Travelers and Organizations: Joining student travel groups or organizations that focus on sustainability can provide valuable insights and opportunities to connect with fellow travelers who share a commitment to environmental responsibility.

Challenges and Obstacles

Traveling sustainably can sometimes be costlier upfront. Students with tight budgets may find it challenging to invest in eco-friendly transportation and accommodations. In some regions, eco-friendly transportation options may be limited, making it difficult for students to choose the most sustainable mode of travel. Many students may not be aware of the environmental impact of their travel choices or may lack access to information about sustainable travel options.

Overcoming these challenges requires a collective effort from educational institutions, travel providers, and students themselves. Awareness, education, and advocacy can help bridge these gaps and promote responsible student travel for a more sustainable future.

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A Black student was expelled because of his hairdo. His family is now suing Texas officials.

A federal civil rights complaint was filed on Saturday by the family of a Black high school student in Texas who was expelled because of his dreadlocks. The lawsuit claims that the governor and attorney general of the state were negligent in their enforcement of new legislation that prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles.

Since August 31st, Darryl George, a 17-year-old student at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, has been on an in-school suspension. His dreadlocks, according to officials of the school in the Houston region, are out of line with the district’s dress code since they extend below his brow and ear lobes.

Darresha George, George’s mother, and the family’s lawyer dispute that the teen’s haircut is inappropriate given the dress code, claiming that it is neatly coiled into dreadlocks on his head.

Supporters of Darryl George assert that the state’s CROWN Act, which went into effect on September 1, is being broken by the prolonged suspension by the Barbers Hill Independent School District.

The lawsuit also claims that in the course of their official duties, Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton failed to defend George’s constitutional rights against discrimination and against infringements on his freedom of speech. According to Allie Booker, the family’s lawyer, George “should be allowed to wear his hair in the manner in which he wears it… because the so-called neutral grooming policy has no close association with learning or safety and, when applied, disproportionately impacts black males.”

Republicans Abbott and Paxton’s spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday.

While the dispute is in court, the lawsuit asks for a temporary restraining order to prevent George’s in-school suspension.

It’s time to battle it out at Barbers Hill ISD. In a statement released on Saturday, Candice Matthews, national minister of politics for the New Black Panther Nation and a representative for George’s family, said, “We’re going to drop the hammer of accountability in the face of racism.

The most recent legal action pertaining to the suspension was the lawsuit that George’s mother filed in federal court in Houston.

The Texas Education Agency received a written complaint from Darresha George and her lawyer on Tuesday, stating that Darryl George has been subjected to harassment and unfair treatment by school district employees because of his hair and that his in-school suspension violates the CROWN Act.

They claim that George is being forced to sit on a stool for eight hours while he is suspended and that he is not being given the hot complimentary lunch that he is entitled to. The organization is looking into the issue.

According to Darresha George, she was recently admitted to the hospital following a string of panic and anxiety attacks brought on by the stress of her son’s suspension.

The school district filed its own complaint in state court on Wednesday, requesting the judge to rule on whether the CROWN Act is violated by its dress code requirements that limit the length of student hair for boys.

Greg Poole, the superintendent of Barbers Hill, has stated that he thinks the dress code is appropriate and that it encourages pupils to follow rules as a cost-benefit analysis.

The school system declared that while it awaits the outcome of its case, it would not toughen the punishment now meted out to Darryl George.

De’Andre Arnold and Kaden Bradford’s cousins were ordered by Barbers Hill officials to trim their dreadlocks in 2020. A federal judge later determined that the district’s hair regulation was discriminatory when the families of the two students sued the school district in May 2020. Their case, which received widespread media coverage and is still unresolved, encouraged Texas lawmakers to pass the state’s CROWN Act law. Both pupils left the school, with Bradford coming back following the judge’s decision.

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New York Student Bus Crash Kills 2, Injures 40.

Officials in New York state confirmed that two people were killed and more than 40 others were injured after a bus carrying youngsters to band camp toppled over on Thursday afternoon.

At a news conference on Thursday evening, state officials stated that five kids were seriously injured when a school bus carrying 40 students and four adults from the Farmingdale School District on Long Island went into a 50-foot ravine.

Families are suffering, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

“We have families, a school, a school district, a county, and, indeed, an entire state that is grieving at this time,” she continued.

A deadly collision happened on Interstate 84 in Wawayanda, approximately 75 miles northwest of New York City, at around 1:15 p.m.

Hochul thought that the event that killed Massapequa resident Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Farmingdale resident Beatrice Ferrari, 77, was caused by a faulty front tire.

She stressed that this was merely a preliminary look at the data. The inquiry will be carried out by the New York State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board.

According to a district spokeswoman, the Farmingdale students and chaperones traveled to Pennsylvania for band camp.

In a note to parents obtained by NBC New York, the Farmingdale School District labeled Pellettiere as band director and Ferrari as a chaperone and “the heart and soul of our marching band program.”

Ferrari’s daughter, Dr. Angela Ferrari-Aldieri, recalls her mother’s 10th grade global studies class being across the hall from the band room for the whole 32 years Ferrari taught at Farmingdale High School.

When another teacher stepped down, Ferrari asked Pellettiere to fill in as band camp chaperone, and she readily consented.

“My mom was like this grandma,” Ferrari-Aldieri said of her mother, “and the kids were able to feel comfortable and feel good talking to her.” She gave birth to Grandma Bea.

A sentimental Edward Hoschler, the father of a Farmingdale High School student who was on a separate bus to band camp, described the moment he learned his daughter was safe.

On Thursday, Hoschler took his daughter to the reunification facility, where they finally met.

“To see her face, it’s… nothing a parent wants to go through,” Hoschler said, his voice cracking. Your thoughts automatically move to the other passengers on the bus once you have confirmed their safety.

Hoschler expressed surprise that he didn’t know whether his daughter was on the bus that crashed.

“It’s just surreal,” he said. “I’m experiencing numbness…. You don’t appreciate how crucial it is until much later.

The weekend journey, according to Hoschler, is a much-anticipated event for both students and their families. According to Hoschler, 300 children planned to attend.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman couldn’t comprehend how a pleasant event could become terrible in such a short period of time.

“The one piece of advice I can give anyone tonight is to hug your children very tightly,” he said at the news conference. This is a priceless life. Our kids left this morning, looking forward to a fun-filled weekend with their friends.

In a letter, the school administration promised the community that classes will resume on Friday and counselors would be available.