Posts by Leah Pellegrini

Inspiring
September 2, 2016

Poignant Project Asks Kids to Write Down What They Wish Their Teachers Knew About Them

As a new teacher, Kyle Schwartz wanted a way to foster a comfortable sense of community in her third grade classroom. So, she asked the students to answer a simple fill-in-the-blank prompt: “I wish my teacher knew _______ .” The results revealed an astounding range of human emotion, from the playful to the poignant: some wrote about deep fears and traumatic family scenarios, while others expressed their hobbies and curiosities.

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Environment
August 29, 2016

Researchers Discover a Way to Grow a 500-Acre Forest in an Egyptian Desert

Using ingenuity assisted by biology, German scientists have collaborated with the Egyptian government to create a natural miracle: the Serapium Forest in the middle of the desert, just two hours from Cairo. It consists of around 200 hectares (about 494 acres) of both native and non-native trees like eucalyptus and mahogany, thriving despite the dry land and scarcity of rain.

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Environment
August 25, 2016

Record-Breaking Costa Rica Uses 100% Renewable Energy for 113 Days (and Running)

For 113 days straight, Costa Rica has generated 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. The country already set a record last year for its 99% green energy production, forgoing fossil fuels for a total of 285 days; now, the nation’s next goal is to maintain its current streak for an entire year. That ambition may sound lofty, but it's likely to succeed and to remain a steady trend as the years go on.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.