Breakthroughs in Education, Environment, and Space: New Studies Shed Light on Student Motivation, Urban Greenspaces, and Stellar Evolution

A recent study published in The International Journal of Management Education has found that teaching methods that create real-world value for others can significantly boost student motivation, self-confidence, and academic performance. This approach, known as value creation pedagogy (VCP), involves pupils and students learning by creating value for others beyond their own group. According to Martin Lackéus, researcher at Chalmers University of Technology, "VCP can make education more meaningful and relevant for society—but it takes courage, time, and support to succeed."

Meanwhile, a new study led by the University of Leeds has revealed that access to trees and greenspaces in English cities lags behind other nations. Using a recognized three-part framework, researchers found that access to greenspaces is consistently low across English cities. This has significant implications for urban planning and public health, as greenspaces have been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits.

In the field of education, a new study from Michigan State University has found that charter schools can lead to similar improvements in outcomes for students with and without disabilities. The study, published in the journal Education Finance and Policy, found that after students with disabilities switched from a traditional public school to a charter school, their attendance and academic outcomes were comparable and, in some cases, even improved.

Astronomers have also made a groundbreaking discovery, observing a giant star changing before their eyes in real-time. WOH G64, a red supergiant in the Large Magellanic Cloud, has been monitored by astronomers for decades. Recently, the star has undergone significant changes, shedding material and swelling in size as it begins to run out of fuel. This rare opportunity allows scientists to study the evolution of a giant star up close.

In the realm of renewable energy, a research team from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has developed stable and efficient chalcogenide-based photoelectrodes, addressing a longstanding challenge of corrosion. This advancement paves the way for the commercial viability of solar-driven water splitting technology, which produces hydrogen directly from sunlight without electrical input.

These breakthroughs demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary research and its potential to drive innovation and positive change. By exploring new approaches to education, urban planning, and renewable energy, scientists and researchers can work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Sources:
- University of Leeds. "Access to trees and greenspaces in English cities lags behind other nations." Science X, 2026.
- Chalmers University of Technology. "Study finds teaching that creates real-world value boosts student motivation." Science X, 2026.
- Michigan State University. "Charter schools lead to similar improvements in outcomes for students with and without disabilities." Science X, 2026.
- The Conversation. "A giant star is changing before our eyes and astronomers are watching in real time." Science X, 2026.
- Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology. "Encapsulated PbS quantum dots boost solar water splitting without sacrificial agents." Science X, 2025.