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Students in the Philippines Create and Wear Funny “Anti-Cheating Hats” to School Exams

In the Philippines, students have found a creative way to reduce the stress of exams and prevent cheating by designing and wearing funny “anti-cheating hats.” Schools like Bicol University College of Engineering and Batangas State University – Lobo Campus have embraced this practice, asking students to craft headgear that limits their ability to see others’ papers during exams. While the hats were originally intended to be simple, students have gone above and beyond, creating elaborate and humorous designs that reflect their personalities. Professor Mary Joy Mandane Ortiz expressed her delight at the students’ creativity, noting how these hats transformed a stressful experience into something more enjoyable, fostering a positive atmosphere during exams.

Similarly, Professor Angelo Ebora encouraged his students to design anti-cheating hats with an agricultural theme, leading to various inventive creations. Some students kept it simple, using cardboard boxes, while others crafted intricate designs, such as a Chainsaw Man mask or a crocheted hat. Ebora shared images of his students’ work online, praising their enthusiasm and the effort they put into the project. He was particularly impressed by how seriously the students took the task, which added a fun and lighthearted element to the exam process, helping to ease the pressure and anxiety that often accompany tests.

Homeowners are Getting Paid Up to $10,500 a Year to Create ‘Virtual Power Plants’ to Help Out Stressed Grids

Homeowners are increasingly getting paid to contribute their rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) to “virtual power plants” (VPPs), which help support stressed energy grids. These VPPs aggregate renewable energy resources from homes in states like California, Vermont, Texas, and Utah to meet high electricity demand during extreme weather events, such as heatwaves. By doing this, VPPs lower costs and reduce the reliance on fossil fuel “peaker” plants, which are typically activated during emergencies. Homeowners can earn from a few hundred dollars to as much as $10,500 per year, depending on the specific program, for sharing their stored energy with the grid. For example, GoodLeap, a company financing sustainable home energy systems, launched a VPP program in California, offering customers up to $350 annually, while aggregating 200 home batteries to assist the grid during times of peak stress.

This growing trend is driven by the increasing adoption of home solar panels, battery storage systems, and EV chargers, which are becoming crucial for preventing power outages as electricity demand rises. Programs like these help offset the cost of maintaining traditional gas power plants, while also helping states meet their renewable energy goals. Experts predict that VPPs could help meet up to 20% of the projected 200 gigawatts of peak electricity demand in the U.S. by 2030, potentially saving $10 billion in grid costs each year. Companies like Sunrun, a leader in the VPP space, have already signed up thousands of customers and are demonstrating how VPPs can rival the capacity of traditional gas plants, further pushing the energy industry towards cleaner, more resilient solutions.

Mom Shares Heartwarming Photo of Son’s Action Figures Waving Him Off to First Day of School

Michelle Owen, a sports presenter, captured a touching moment when her son Zac set off for his first day of school. Rather than a typical first-day-of-school photo, Owen shared an image that radiated creativity and heartwarming sentiment. In the picture, Zac walks out the door in his school uniform, but it’s his action figures—Hulk, Spiderman, Thor, and others—who take the spotlight. Lined with their arms raised, the toys appear to be waving him off on his new adventure, a playful nod to the famous Toy Story farewell scenes. The thoughtful setup, complete with a small board marking the occasion, resonated with many after Owen posted it on Instagram, where it quickly went viral. Her caption, “Our little superhero has started school,” summed up the sweet and symbolic nature of the milestone. Continue reading “Mom Shares Heartwarming Photo of Son’s Action Figures Waving Him Off to First Day of School” »

The Cosmos Tiny Home Features a Cozy Netted Upstairs Area for Reading & Chilling

The Cosmos tiny home, designed by Plume, cleverly addresses the challenge of limited space typical of French tiny houses, which are constrained by the country’s strict towing laws. Measuring just 20 feet in length and built on a double-axle trailer, the home maximizes its compact footprint through smart design elements. The exterior is clad in thermally treated poplar and topped with a durable aluminum roof. Upon entering through a glass Continue reading “The Cosmos Tiny Home Features a Cozy Netted Upstairs Area for Reading & Chilling” »

Fossilized Flowers From Greenland Reveal It Was a Green Tundra Less Than 1 Million Years Ago

A groundbreaking study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that Greenland was not always a frozen wasteland. Less than 1 million years ago, the center of Greenland was a green tundra, as indicated by fossilized biological materials discovered in a core sample known as GISP2. These fossils, including Arctic poppy seeds, willow wood, insect remnants, and fungi, indicate that Greenland’s ice sheet had melted, allowing plants and insects to thrive. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the permanence of Greenland’s ice and underscores how dynamic Earth’s climate can be. Researchers, led by Paul Bierman of the University of Vermont, have provided direct evidence that the region was once hospitable to life, offering a glimpse into a much greener past for Greenland. Continue reading “Fossilized Flowers From Greenland Reveal It Was a Green Tundra Less Than 1 Million Years Ago” »

Artist Explores the Theme of Trust Through Poignant Hand-Sculpted Animal Forms

In her latest exhibition, Trust, artist Beth Cavener delves into the theme of trust through intricately crafted animal sculptures that resonate with deep human emotions. Displayed at the Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Los Angeles, her pieces reflect the fractures in modern society caused by political divides and the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cavener’s clay sculptures are not merely representations of animals; they are symbolic figures that embody complex human feelings such as betrayal, vulnerability, and connection. By merging animal forms with human gestures, she exposes the rawness of trust—how it is built, broken, and rebuilt—through sculptures that feel both primal and profoundly introspective.

Each of Cavener’s works takes months to complete, starting from a small model and expanding into full-scale sculptures highlighting the tension between power and fragility. One standout piece, Trust Me, features a fox-like figure cautiously advancing toward the viewer, its pose a striking mix of submission and cunning. This visual ambiguity challenges the audience to reflect on their relationship with trust. Another sculpture, Shards, depicts a male lion made from over 2,800 pounds of fragmented clay, its fragile body a metaphor for broken trust and the arduous process of healing. Through these meticulously hand-sculpted forms, Cavener invites us to confront the delicate balance of trust in our relationships and the emotional scars that linger when it is shattered.

Patagonia Helping to Revolutionize California’s Farms with $1 Million Grant

Patagonia is helping revolutionize California’s farming industry through a $1 million grant, supporting the transition to organic and regenerative farming in Ventura County, an area known for its vast agricultural output. Industrial agriculture in this region has caused significant environmental damage, polluting the soil and groundwater with chemicals and driving away wildlife. In partnership with the Rodale Institute’s California Organic Center and an additional $1.5 million from Continue reading “Patagonia Helping to Revolutionize California’s Farms with $1 Million Grant” »

This Couple Bought a 19th-Century Schoolhouse for $210,000 and Made It Their Family Home—Take a Look Inside

Danielle and Kreg Jones, a couple with a passion for historic architecture and home renovation, turned a 19th-century schoolhouse into their family home. In 2021, after five years of searching, they found the North Weare Schoolhouse in New Hampshire. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, had a rich history, having served as a school until 1952 and later as a town meeting space. The couple, who run their architecture firm, Inscription Architects, Continue reading “This Couple Bought a 19th-Century Schoolhouse for $210,000 and Made It Their Family Home—Take a Look Inside” »

Triangular Wooden Cabin Unfolds On River’s Shore Near Alps as a Fishermen’s Retreat

The Kanna cabin, designed by Laure Friès, serves as a serene fishermen’s retreat along the shores of the Marlens’ water body near the Alps. Its triangular design, standing at 4.5 meters tall, allows anglers an optimal vantage point for fishing, all while blending harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape. Positioned between the Chaise River and the water body, the cabin provides privacy and a seamless connection to the tranquil environment, Continue reading “Triangular Wooden Cabin Unfolds On River’s Shore Near Alps as a Fishermen’s Retreat” »


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