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A New Cancer Treatment That Is Faster, More Efficient and Less Risky Is Coming: Bacteria Bombs

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A New Cancer Treatment That Is Faster, More Efficient and Less Risky Is Coming: Bacteria Bombs

This essay, by William Chesney, 15, from Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx, N.Y., is one of the top eight winners of the Learning Network’s first-ever STEM Writing Contest, for which we received 1,618 entries. You can find the work of all of our student winners here.

A New Cancer Treatment That Is Faster, More Efficient and Less Risky Is Coming: Bacteria Bombs

Bacteria are usually thought of as microscopic, disease-causing nuisances. They have long been seen as something that needs to be washed away with soap and warm water, or killed en masse with hand sanitizer. But what if these stigmatized organisms could be used to fight cancer, the stubborn killer devastating millions of people? Scientists at the University of California, led by Jeff Hasty, are working to genetically engineer bacteria that will infiltrate tumors and kill them. Combined with conventional treatment such as chemotherapy, researchers are hoping bacteria will be very effective at killing tumors and, further, stopping them from spreading. If proven safe and effective, this bacterial treatment could provide a vital victory in the war against cancer.

The immune system regularly patrols the body to find and destroy cancerous cells, but tumors can disguise themselves as normal cells by releasing a protein that tells the body to leave the tumor alone. And so, the tumor hides in plain sight, invading the healthy tissue around it. Tumors use blood vessels that branch all over the surface of the tumor to steal resources. Chemotherapy delivers cancer killing drugs to the bloodstream, but these drugs can only reach as far as the blood vessels reach, and most of the tumor’s blood vessels do not get to the center of the tumor.

This is where the bacteria, specifically salmonella, can come to the rescue. The scientists at the University of California have changed the DNA of bacteria to seek out these tumors, and populate them without invading the rest of the body. The bacteria settle in and start to replicate. But, like little bombs, they soon explode and release “a toxic cocktail” in the words of Dr. Sally Adee. The cocktail contains “three types of cancer-killing drugs: one that destroys cell walls, one that alerts the body’s immune system, and one that triggers cells to die” according to Dr. Adee. This allows the bacteria to attack the tumor directly in a localized way to keep the damage away from other healthy cells. Importantly, it also alerts the immune system to begin its offensive by destroying the tumor’s immunosuppressive proteins. In his Nature Reviews Cancer article, “Engineering the Perfect (Bacterial) Cancer Therapy,” the University of Massachusetts professor Neil Forbes said, “the immune system plays a complicated role in bacteriolytic therapy; it provides a mechanism to guide bacterial accumulation, but also impedes dispersion and efficacy.” Thus the body and these bacteria form a surprising team in their war against cancer.

Of course, this treatment has risks. The main danger is that the bacteria will become the enemy and infect the person. To prevent this, researchers have modified the bacteria to not only thrive in the environment of a tumor, but also to struggle to survive in healthy tissue. This is a revolution in the way people have thought about cancer treatment. Bacteria may soon join the list of unlikely allies in the fight against cancer, joining the ranks of debilitating chemicals and harmful radiation.

Works Cited

Adee, Sally. “Self-Destructing Bacteria Are Engineered to Kill Cancer Cells.” New Scientist, 20 July 2016.

Forbes, Neil S. “Engineering the Perfect (Bacterial) Cancer Therapy.” Nature Reviews Cancer, 14 Oct. 2010.

Williams, Thomas. “New Cancer Treatment? Scientists Have Programmed Bacteria to Kill Cancer Cells in Mice.” The Conversation, 21 July 2016.

Zimmer, Carl. “New Weapons Against Cancer: Millions of Bacteria Programmed to Kill.” The New York Times, 3 July 2019.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why Incompetence Begets Confidence

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The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why Incompetence Begets Confidence

This essay, by Allison He, 17, from the Texas Academy of Math and Science in Plano, Tex., is one of the top eight winners of the Learning Network’s first-ever STEM Writing Contest, for which we received 1,618 entries. You can find the work of all of our student winners here.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why Incompetence Begets Confidence

Meet Dave. After a year of creating campaigns for a marketing company, Dave is convinced that his advertising skills are the best in his department. In his mind, his incredibly original content warrants a nice bonus. But when his manager hands him an annual review, his face falls. “This isn’t right,” Dave says, incredulous. He points at the section that marks him at the bottom 25 percent of employee performance and asks if it’s a mistake.

Dave’s case illustrates a psychological phenomenon called the Dunning-Kruger effect.

The Dunning-Kruger effect, coined by the psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger in 1999, is a cognitive bias in which poor performers greatly overestimate their abilities. Dunning and Kruger’s research shows that underperforming individuals “reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it.” This incompetence, in turn, leads them to “hold inflated views of their performance and ability.”

To reach these findings, Dunning and Kruger conducted a study that tested participants’ abilities in humor, logical reasoning and grammar. Before showing the participants their scores, Dunning and Kruger had them judge their performance on a percentile scale. What they found across all three categories confirmed their prediction of self-inflated assessment among underperforming individuals: participants scoring around the 15th percentile evaluated their percentile placements to be approximately 50 percent higher. And although results also indicated a slight overestimation by the average-scorers and a slight underestimation by the top-scorers, Dunning and Kruger focused on investigating the substantial overestimation by the bottom-scorers.

Were the underperforming individuals unable to recognize competence due to their own lack of it? To address this, Dunning and Kruger invited back the bottom-scoring and top-scoring participants and gave them the other participants’ tests to grade. Afterward, the participants were asked to re-evaluate their original testing score. The bottom-scorers, instead of recognizing their underperformance and lowering their rank accordingly, continued to elevate their scores. This suggested that the bottom-scorers needed competence to perceive competence.

If it takes competence to be aware, how are underperformers supposed to recognize their own lack of ability? The answer is in the question itself. Because it takes competence to be aware, underperformers must become competent. After training the bottom-scorers in logical reasoning, Dunning and Kruger discovered not only that their scores improved, but also that they no longer inflated their scores. These results indicate that knowledge and experience are crucial for gaining both ability and self-awareness.

In essence, we can’t reach a high level of competence without actively seeking feedback and knowledge. And for any activity — whether it’s marketing, parenting, football or underwater basket-weaving — it takes an open mind to gain the experiences that help us see our mistakes and grow from them.

The hallmark of intelligence, according to Dunning, is being “good at knowing what we don’t know.” If we want to avoid the impact of cognitive biases such as the Dunning-Kruger effect and if we want to better ourselves overall, it’s vital that we’re aware that there is always more to know.

Works Cited

Cherry, Kendra. “The Dunning-Kruger Effect.” Verywell Mind, 14 June 2019.

Kruger, Justin, and David Dunning. “Unskilled and Unaware of it: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Dec. 1999.

Morris, Errol. “The Anosognosic’s Dilemma: Something’s Wrong but You’ll Never Know What It Is (Part 1).” The New York Times, 21 June 2010.

In the Blink of an Eye

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In the Blink of an Eye

This essay, by Rivka Shields, from Yeshiva of Greater Washington — Tiferes Gedaliah in Silver Spring, Md., is one of the top eight winners of the Learning Network’s first-ever STEM Writing Contest, for which we received 1,618 entries. You can find the work of all of our student winners here.

In the Blink of an Eye

Imagine walking into a theater to watch a movie. While it is playing, the screen goes blank every ten seconds. Wouldn’t it ruin the movie? Humans blink about six times per minute, a blink every 10 seconds. Why do we not notice the world going black every time our eyelids close?

Blinking, also known as the cornea reflex, is our brains’ automatic response when anything comes too near our eyes that could potentially be damaging. Our eyelids have tear film, made from fluids and oils, on them. Blinking spreads those over the outer eye, cleaning and moisturizing it. This is essential, or the eyes will dry out. In fact, it is so important that for patients with nerve damage that prevents them from closing their eyelids, doctors are sewing small gold weights into their eyelids so they will close easier to lubricate the eye. The question still remains, though. Why don’t we notice that the world is going black for about 400 milliseconds, the average blinking time?

Before we blink, we signal to our brain that we are about to blink. Our brains take a “picture” of what we are seeing now, and save it in our brain. We hold that picture for the milliseconds that our eyes are closed, so when we open our eyes again, it seems that nothing has changed. This is why our vision is so seamless; we still have a picture in the mind of what we are looking at. When we blink, our eyeballs roll backward and may not get back to their original positions when our eyes open again. The brain compares the “pictures” of before the blink and after the blink, and forces our eye muscles to fill in the gaps.

A study was done by the Nanyang Technology University in Singapore in a dark room with a dot on a screen. Cameras tracked their blinks, so that every time they blinked, the dot moved one centimeter. Participants didn’t notice the movement, as their brains immediately readjusted to the dot. After about 30 of these dot movements, researchers noticed that the participants’ eyes immediately shifted as they blinked, to anticipate where their brain expected the dot to be. This caused the participants to not even be aware that they blinked, because when their eyes reopened, their eye muscles immediately knew what had changed and filled in for the lost time.

Understanding how the brain works together with the eyes to make up for changes outside the body during a blink is important, because it could help scientists find ways for the brain to make up for other changes inside or outside the brain. For example, if an eye were injured, they now know how the brain can make up for lost vision. Gerrit Maus, an assistant professor of psychology at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said, “These findings add to our understanding of how the brain constantly adapts to changes, commanding our muscles to correct for errors in our bodies’ own hardware.”

Works Cited

Laliberte, Marissa. “Ever Wondered Why Things Don’t Get Darker When We Blink?” The Healthy, 9 Feb. 2017.

“Science Watch: Repairing the Blink.” The New York Times, 7 Aug. 1990.

Stern, John. “Why Do We Blink?” NBC News, 25 Feb. 1999.

Stromberg, Joseph. “Why Do We Blink So Frequently?” Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2012.

“Why the Lights Don’t Dim When We Blink.” ScienceDaily, 19 Jan. 2017.

An Unexpected Dinner Guest: Marine Plastic Pollution Hides a Neurological Toxin in Our Food

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An Unexpected Dinner Guest: Marine Plastic Pollution Hides a Neurological Toxin in Our Food

“The plastic produced is on trend to double in the next 20 years,” said Dr. Barrows. “So I think that’s where we need to focus on in terms of worrying about our environment.”

Works Cited

Albeck-Ripka, Livia. “The ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ Is Ballooning, 87,000 Tons of Plastic and Counting.” The New York Times, 22 Mar. 2018.

“A Short Explanation of the Mercury Issue.” European Commission, 7 Dec. 2012.

Barboza et al. “Microplastics Cause Neurotoxicity, Oxidative Damage and Energy-Related Changes and Interact with the Bioaccumulation of Mercury in the European Seabass, Dicentrarchus Labrax (Linnaeus, 1758).” Aquatic Toxicology, Feb. 2018.

Barrows, Abigail. Marine Research Scientist, College of the Atlantic. Interview.

Bowman, Katlin. Postdoctoral Research Scholar, University of California Santa Cruz. Interview.

Fisher, Nicholas. Distinguished Professor, State University of New York Stony Brook. Interview.

Lamborg, Carl. Associate Professor, University of California Santa Cruz. Interview.

Liboiron, Max. “Plastics & Methylmercury.” Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research, 15 July 2017.

“Minamata Disease.” Boston University Sustainability.

NOAA. “What Are Microplastics?” National Ocean Service website, 13 Apr. 2016.

Winner, Cherie. “How Does Toxic Mercury Get into Fish?” Oceanus Magazine, 1 Oct. 2010.

How to find a new hobby in lockdown

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How to find a new hobby in lockdown

Lockdown is a strange time for us all, no matter what our living arrangements are. Whether you’re working remotely, furloughed, or waiting for the world to wake up again, the days can feel… long. Your usual pastimes might not be enough. It could be time to find a new hobby.

Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Our list of 40 new hobby ideas is here to get you motivated and inspired to try something different. From relaxing, to energising, to expressive, there’s sure to be something for just about everyone.

Find a new hobby – what do you like?

First things first – it’s maybe not the best idea to throw a dart at a random list of hobbies to choose one. Unless, of course, darts is your new hobby. Instead, try thinking about the kinds of things you like to do.

Are you the creative type or do you prefer being active? Do you want escapism or tangible gains? Narrowing down your wants may make it easier to choose an activity that’s suited to you.

Is there something you used to enjoy as a child? Maybe you had a particular aptitude for something when you were younger but didn’t have the time to keep it up. During the COVID-19 lockdown, time is something many of us have in abundance.

Another point worth considering is whether or not you want your new hobby to be similar to your existing ones. It can be nice to find something that complements your existing skills, but it’s often refreshing to have a change of pace.

Lockdown hobbies – what’s your goal?

Although your goal when trying to find a new hobby in lockdown is likely to fill time, it’s worth considering exactly how you want to spend that time. Jigsaw-puzzling, for example, is a less physically intense pastime than weightlifting.

Here’s some inspiration to get you started:

Find a new hobby for relaxation

With all the stress of the world at the moment, finding a relaxing hobby seems like a sensible idea. They can give you some calm amidst the storm, and even help with your mental wellbeing.

1. Reading

As the great Joseph Addison once said, ‘reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.’ Reading can be the ultimate form of escapism, helping you discover new worlds, learn about different cultures, and explore new ideas. If you’re looking for somewhere to get started, here’s a list of some classic novels to consider.

2. Writing

You may have heard the theory circulating that Shakespeare wrote King Lear during quarantine in the plague years. So, no better time to start penning your ideas down, right? If you need a bit of a primer, you can check out our courses on writing fiction and how to make a poem. Those who want to channel their creativity towards the silver screen should give our screenwriting course a try. 

3. Yoga

Yoga is good for both your physical and mental wellbeing. It can help with strength, flexibility and balance, and just about anyone can get started. It’s a practice that’s around 5,000 years old, so there’s plenty of tips and information around, too! Yoga with Adriene is a YouTube channel that can guide you on your relaxation journey. 

4. Mindfulness and meditation

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and paying attention to the current moment. It’s about noticing your thoughts and feelings without judgement, often done through meditation. The two practices can be hugely beneficial, improving both your physical and mental health. Our courses on mindfulness for wellbeing and maintaining a mindful life can help you get started.

5. Knitting

Knitting is one of the most timeless crafts around, and it’s had somewhat of a resurgence of late. As well as being incredibly chill, it’s also a practical pastime that can yield hats, scarves, tea cosies, and more. All you need to get started is some knitting needles and some yarn (worsted, medium-weight is good for beginners!). From there, you can try some beginner projects to get a feel for it.

6. Gardening

UK-weather permitting, now might be the perfect time to start gardening as a hobby. Whether you want to plant a shrub, sow some indoor seeds, or tackle your weeds, taking care of your garden can be rewarding and beneficial. As well as a sense of satisfaction of a job well done, it can also reduce stress and lower your blood pressure. Check out the Royal Horticultural Society’s guides on getting started.

7. Scrapbooking

If you’ve been looking for a creative way of displaying your memorable photos, a scrapbook could be just the thing for you. As well as all of your favourite snaps, you can use all kinds of decorations and memorabilia to give your creation some flair. It’s a relaxing hobby that can help you appreciate all the good you have in your life.

8. Listening to music

Of course, you probably already listen to music on a regular basis. However, there’s never a wrong time to start discovering new bands and artists that you like. As far as finding a new hobby goes, this is a fairly limitless one. Try jumping into an entirely new genre, ask your friends for recommendations, or using a tool like Gnoosic to find new music.

9. Colouring

Colouring is a hobby that’s suitable for people of all ages. It’s a relaxing and creative pastime that can give you focus and let you express yourself. Plus, it’s simple to get started with. All you need are colouring pencils and some templates, many of which you can find for free.

10. Baking

As you may have noticed by the sudden demand for flour, baking has been one of the most popular new hobbies in lockdown. And, it’s not too late to get involved in the fun. You can try your hand at baking sweet treats or savoury delights with these simple BBC Good Food recipes. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can get involved with a sourdough science project.

11. Cooking 

If baking isn’t your thing, but you still want to get creative in the kitchen, cooking can be a great way to relax. From trying new recipes to cooking up something entirely unique, you’ve got the freedom to experiment. There are learning opportunities too. Whether it’s learning about nutrition, mastering the basics of a healthy diet, or finding out how super superfoods are, the possibilities are plentiful.

12. Journaling

For those seeking a more introspective hobby, journaling can be incredibly therapeutic. It helps you organise your thoughts, relieve feelings of anxiety, practice gratitude, and let you reflect on your life. It’s also a project that you can start with ease – all you need is either a pen and notebook or a word processor. Don’t overthink it, just start writing and see where it takes you.

Find a new hobby to keep you fit 

For some of us, our pent-up energy needs to be directed to something more physical. Despite the lockdown measures affecting much of the world, there are plenty of ways you can find a new hobby to keep you fit:

13. Dancing

There are many forms of dance, and many ways to practice. What’s more, you can easily make a start at home. You can start small by putting on some of your favourite tunes and getting active for a few minutes each day. Those who are looking for a more structured approach can check out lessons on YouTube from the Passion4dancing channel.

14. Running

Running is one of the easiest keep-fit hobbies to get into. All you need to get started is a pair of suitable running shoes and somewhere to run. Along with bringing a host of health benefits, running can give you some time out from whatever is going on in your life. The Couch to 5K programme is an excellent resource to start with, giving you three runs per week until you can run 5K without stopping.

15. Boxing

If the Rocky movie series taught us anything (and it taught us a lot), it’s possible to train your boxing skills in all manner of ways, including at home. If you’ve always fancied getting into the sport, there are plenty of boxing resources available to get you started. Plus, you can practice things like stance, footwork, and basic punches at home.

16. Cycling

If running is a bit too high-impact for your joints, but you still enjoy getting out and about, cycling can be a great alternative. Aside from a bike and helmet, there’s not much you need to get started with cycling. However, as a new hobby, there are plenty of different areas of interest you might want to get into. Will you choose road cycling or are you more of a mountain biker? Either way, you can find cycling routes nearby to get you on your way. You can also read the latest COVID-19 recommendations around cycling.

17. Weight lifting

Despite what many people think, weight lifting isn’t just for bodybuilders. As well as building muscle, it can help improve your posture, balance and bone health. You don’t even need loads of equipment when you first get started. You can start with some simple bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, squats, and pull-ups. From here, you can move onto a simple dumbbell workout.

18. Skateboarding

Skateboarding is one of those hobbies that has quite a steep learning curve. However, once you start making progress, it can be incredibly rewarding. If you’ve always fancied yourself as a future Tony Hawk, now might be the time to get practising. All you need is a skateboard, protective gear, and some smooth concrete. This wikiHow guide on skateboarding gives an excellent intro to practising the basics.

19. Roller skating 

Although Venice Beach is off-limits for now, you can still get into roller skating (or blading) as your new hobby in lockdown. Much like skateboarding, all you need are some skates, protection, and a place to practice. Start slow, learn to fall, and soon you’ll be rolling with the best of them.

Hobbies that teach you a skill

Some people may find that they want their new lockdown hobby to be more skill-based than some of the ones we’ve mentioned so far. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available. Here are some ideas:

20. Play an instrument

Whether you can already play an instrument or not, there’s never a bad time to learn a new one. There are so many possibilities here; we could dedicate an entire post to just listing them out. You’ll find all kinds of resources for whichever instrument you choose, including hours of video tutorials.

21. Learn a language

Learning a new language brings many benefits and can be extremely rewarding. Plus, with all types of language courses available, you can choose one that sparks your interest. If you practice your new hobby in lockdown, just think of all the places you can use it once travel restrictions are lifted…

22. Blogging 

If you enjoy writing and sharing your interests and opinions, blogging could well be the hobby for you. It gives you a platform to organise your thoughts, express your feelings, and connect with people across the world. It’s also a highly useful digital skill to master. It’s simple to get started, and there are plenty of blogging platforms available.

23. Acting

You may not immediately think of acting as the most obvious new hobby for lockdown, but it’s worth considering. There are plenty of acting exercises you can do from home to boost your acting abilities, and many books on acting you can get started with.

24. Woodworking

Woodworking is one of those hobbies that can come in handy in so many ways. It’s also pretty easy to get started with. Providing you have a sharp knife, wood saw, hammer and screwdrivers, you can get started on a variety of simple woodworking projects.

25. Data visualisation

For those who like graphical representations of data, data visualisation could be the new hobby you’ve been searching for. It involves creating images, charts, graphs, and maps that show people what certain data sets mean. It’s a skill that allows you to flex your creative and analytical muscles at the same time. 

26. Graphic design 

On the theme of creating visually appealing content, graphic design is a skill that can easily be learned from home. You can start by looking at some content creators you admire and thinking about the skills and techniques they use. You can also find plenty of free graphic design software to get started with, such as Blender, Krita and Adobe Spark.

27. Chess 

The Game of Kings can seem like a tricky one to get started with. However, once you’ve mastered the basic rules, chess is a hobby that can provide hours of entertainment (and frustration). The website lichess.org will walk you through the fundamentals of the game, and some higher-tier skills for when you’ve improved. You don’t even need a chessboard.  

28. Game development

Many of us have spent the lockdown playing video games to a greater or lesser extent. But if you’ve ever fancied dabbling in creating your own game, now’s a good time to get started. With courses in video game design and development, as well as those that help you create your own adventure game, you have all the tools you need to get learning.

29. Coding

For those looking for a more general view of coding, you’re also in luck. Learning a coding language is a skill that’s increasingly sought-after. This course giving an introduction to web development covers the basics of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. As far as hobby/skill crossovers go, there are few as practical as coding.

Find a new hobby to express yourself 

If your inner artist is trying to find a new hobby, these skills are some that you can easily explore from home:

30. Painting

If you’ve got some paintbrushes and paints knocking around, you can easily jump into painting as your new hobby in lockdown. YouTube recently added 12 seasons of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross. So, you can listen to his dulcet tones as you begin to master your new craft.

31. Photography

Photography is a pastime that’s become increasingly easy to get into. After all, most of us carry a camera around with us just about everywhere we go. Although your smartphone may not be the connoisseur’s choice of equipment, it’s more than sufficient for learning some of the basics of photography with. You can take an array of photos of the family pet, for example. If you’ve already mastered the fundamentals, now might be a good time to take your skills to a professional level.

32. Sculpting

This is a hobby that will probably require you to order a few bits in, but it can definitely be just as rewarding as any of the hobbies on our list. It’s also a skill that you can dive into and get creative with. For the future Michelangelos among us, this is definitely one worth considering. You can sculpt using a variety of materials – everything from clay to marble, depending on your confidence levels, space, and budget. 

33. Writing music 

If you’ve already completed hobbies eight and twenty on our list, you might want to try your hand at composing your own music. There’s a whole heap of resources available to get you started with. As well as an entire course dedicated to writing your first song, you can find free software such as GarageBand, Sibelius First, and MuseScore.

Find a new hobby for escapism

Many of us want to simply find a hobby that helps us escape the day-to-day for a time. There are plenty of great options here for you to try:  

34. Film watching

It’s highly likely that you already watch films on a somewhat regular basis. However, watching films as a hobby means you get to delve deeper than you usually would. Instead of enjoying a movie at face value, you get to look at the cinematography, writing, set design, and more. Sound appealing? Our course on film education is a great place to start.

35. Film making 

If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to be on the non-acting end of the camera, now’s your chance to get into film making. You can start by learning how films go from script to screen. From there, you can start penning your own screenplay or shooting simple scenes. With free video editing software such as Lightworks and Shotcut, you can begin getting a feel for composition and editing. If you’re interested in how films connect with audiences, we also have a course for that.

36. LARPing

‘What’s LARPing?’ we hear you cry. Well, it’s an acronym for live-action roleplaying… If you’re still not sure, it’s a real-life fantasy game where you dress up as your character and play as them. Think Dungeons & Dragons but on a grander scale. Although you can’t gather with your comrades during lockdown, you can find a group, work on your character, and start building your costume.

37. Puzzles 

Puzzles are a great hobby to get into for many reasons. Not only are they brain-teasingly satisfying, but they also help improve your memory and problem-solving skills. Things like jigsaw puzzles are a great way of taking your mind off your surroundings for a while. All you need to do is pick a puzzle and get started.

38. Board games 

Many people assume that board games equal misplaced Monopoly money or outdated Trivial Pursuit. But there’s so much more to offer. Games like Catan or Ticket to Ride are equally good ways to alienate your loved ones. If you want something on-trend, give Pandemic a go. If you like fast-talking, Articulate! is the game for you. For those trying to find a new hobby to share with their household, this is a good option.

39. RPGs

RPGs (roleplaying games, for the uninitiated) are games where you take on the role of a character in a fictional setting. You then have to act as that character, making decisions for them and progressing their story. In video game terms, this means titles like The Witcher 3, Skyrim, and the Fallout series. In board game terms, think Dungeons & Dragons and Gloomhaven. RPGs can be the ultimate form of escapism.

40. History 

As we live through a defining part of history, it can be nice to go back and immerse yourself in a different time entirely. Our array of history courses gives you plenty to seek your teeth into. If you’re into podcasts, Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History is worth checking out. For history books, you’re spoilt for choice.

Final things to think about

So there you have it, 40 excellent options when it comes to finding a new hobby. Hopefully, it’s given you some inspiration about what you want to try. But there are some final considerations:

Do you want the hobby to turn into an income?

Is your new hobby something you want to make money from? Possibly not – it could just be something to help pass the time. But if it is, then you might want to think about where to invest your time.

As a side project, creative pursuits can be an excellent choice. Whether it’s woodworking, knitting, or painting, handicrafts tend to be pretty popular side earners. If you get good enough at a sport or physical activity, you can even think about progressing to teach.

If you’re thinking about developing your main source of income, there are plenty of strong options available. Digital skills and coding are increasingly sought-after and can complement a range of other professions.

How expensive can hobbies be? 

Price is often a determining factor in finding a new hobby. Those that require a lot of specialist equipment can be pricey. Learning a new instrument, photography, and woodworking can all be expensive. However, it’s also possible to keep costs down by working with what you do have, and borrowing what you don’t.

Of course, there are plenty of free hobbies too. There are tons of free e-books available on Project Gutenberg, while writing only requires a pen and paper or computer. You can also often learn the basics of an activity before you choose whether to invest further. 

Try it out

You don’t have to make your final decision about your new hobby in lockdown just yet. You can spend some time trying a few different options to see which one is right for you. In fact, you can check out our list of courses related to new hobby ideas for some further inspiration. They can help you find a new hobby that’s perfectly suited to lockdown. 

Coursera Partners with ATP To Help Players Learn New Skills During Tour Suspension And Beyond

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Coursera Partners with ATP To Help Players Learn New Skills During Tour Suspension And Beyond

By Kim Caldbeck, Chief Marketing Officer, Coursera  

As sporting events around the world remain suspended due to COVID-19, athletes everywhere are on a forced break from their playing commitments. During this disruption, the hard-working players, who bring so much joy and inspiration to our lives, can benefit from a flexible way to explore new interests and learn new skills.

Today, we are excited to announce our partnership with the Association of Tennis Professionals to provide ATP players around the world with access to over 4,000 courses. This will allow players to develop new skills during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has currently forced the suspension of play on the Tour, and even after the crisis when competitive play resumes. 

Players can choose from a variety of courses across business, technology, data science, personal development, and mental well-being, learning skills that will serve them throughout their playing and non-playing careers. Courses are taught by the world’s top university and industry educators such as Imperial College London, the University of Pennsylvania, and IBM.

The mental and physical wellness of players is a key priority for ATP, one that Coursera is proud to support. Through courses such as The Science of Well-Being from Yale University, players will have access to highly relevant mental wellness content.   

According to ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi: “Our partnership with Coursera gives players the chance to develop valuable new skills and knowledge that will be of benefit to them for the rest of their lives. We have a duty of care to our players and this is an excellent opportunity for them to think long-term beyond their playing careers. The online format and versatility offered by the Coursera platform is a perfect fit not only while at home, but also on the road once the Tour resumes.”

Starting today, players will receive an email invitation to start learning. After setting up a profile on Coursera, they will be able to enroll in unlimited courses for free. Players will also have access to curated course collections in business, technology, and data science to help navigate Coursera’s expansive course catalog.

 

Yale’s Dr. Laurie Santos on Well-Being During COVID-19

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Yale’s Dr. Laurie Santos on Well-Being During COVID-19

We’re living in an unprecedented time as COVID-19 impacts lives everywhere. As we navigate and adjust, how can we manage the many emotions we’re feeling?

Get expert insights from Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor, on how we can all prioritize our mental well-being during this challenging time, including:

  • Reducing tension in a relationship while sheltering in place (1:11)
  • Consuming news without increasing anxiety (3:24)
  • Supporting healthcare workers and helping them prioritize self-care (5:19)
  • Remaining positive when living alone (8:51)
  • Staying focused and productive at work (10:36)
  • Finding your next career or job if you’ve been laid off (12:47)
  • Helping children who are struggling without their usual routine or friends (15:00)
  • Creating positive experiences while in lockdown (18:26)
  • Sleeping better, despite increased anxiety and stress (20:48)
  • Coping if loved ones test positive for COVID-19 (23:57)
  • Spreading kindness or making social connections while isolated (26:32)

Want to hear more from Dr. Santos?

Enroll for free in her course The Science of Well-Being.

Or if you’re a member of the press, set up an interview with Dr. Laurie Santos or learn more about the topics she can speak to.

 

Choosing the Codecademy Pro Path That’s Right for You

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Choosing the Codecademy Pro Path That’s Right for You

There are so many reasons to learn to code. Maybe you’re looking to start a new career you’ve always dreamed of, want to learn new skills to help you excel at your current job, or simply believe that coding is the future. But where do you start?

Here at Codecademy, we’re passionate about helping you achieve your goals. That’s why we’ve put together a series of Paths, available with your Codecademy Pro membership, designed to give you the skills you need to succeed.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll help you decide what the best Path is for you based on your specific goals and dreams. Plus, we’ll share some resources you can turn to if you still have questions.

Have you been thinking about upgrading to Pro? For a limited time, when you purchase a Pro membership we’ll donate five memberships to people whose work has been affected by COVID-19. Learn more here.

I want to change careers

Excited about working in a brand new field? If you’re interested in changing careers, that’s where our Career Paths come in. They’re designed to guide you through all the elements necessary to build a solid foundation for a new career.

You can learn more about each of our Career Paths below.

Computer Science Career Path

The Computer Science Career Path is designed to help you learn to think like a programmer and gain confidence for technical interviews and screenings.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of Computer Science, starting with an introduction to Python, the world’s most popular programming language. Understanding Python is key to the fields of Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI.

Once you’re familiar with Python, you’ll learn about Data Structures — the fundamental building blocks of Computer Science. Understand heaps, graphs, linked lists, trees, queues, and more.

This Path is a great option for anyone that didn’t study Computer Science in school, or CS majors who want to prepare for their Data Structures and Algorithms classes. All of the fundamentals taught in the Computer Science Career Path can be applied to other languages as you continue to develop your programming skills.

Data Science Career Path

The Data Science Career Path gives you all the tools you need to become a Data Analyst, Data Scientist, or a Machine Learning Engineer.

You’ll learn SQL and Python — two languages that are loved by data scientists. Plus, learn techniques for gathering, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing data, using real datasets provided to Codecademy by Warby Parker, Twitch, Hacker News, Yelp, and more.

You’ll also explore the principles of machine learning and, by the end of the course, you’ll be ready to develop your own machine learning algorithms.

This Path is a great option for anyone interested in getting a grasp of big data, or anyone that’s interested in learning more about data visualizations, data analysis, and working with machine learnings.

Web Development Career Path

The Web Development Career Path will set you up with the tools you need to become a Web Developer.

You’ll start by learning the foundational tools of web development — HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These languages will help you get set up for building interactive web pages.

Then, you’ll dive into the backend and learn how to use databases and build your own server in order to make full stack web applications.

This Path is a great option for anyone that’s interested in becoming a web developer or software engineer, or is just curious about learning more about these two career tracks. As you make your way through the courses in this Path, you’ll also build portfolio-ready projects that will help you shine when you start your job search.

I want to learn skills to advance in my current role

Coding isn’t only for dedicated programmers and developers. Learning to code can help you to master new skills that you can apply in your current job. Workers in marketing, consulting, administration, finance, customer service, IT, and beyond all have the opportunity to add value in their positions by learning to code.

Our Skill Paths are outcome based. Once you’re done, you’ll be armed with a new job-ready skill. Check out the list below and click through to learn more.

I want to learn to code for personal growth or fun

Do you believe in a future where everybody knows how to code? So do we! But we also know that if you don’t have a specific skill or destination in mind, it can be even harder to decide where to start.

If this is you, we recommend the Code Foundations Career Path. Code Foundations is designed to give you a basic introduction to the world of code. You’ll get an overview of the Computer Science, Web Development, and Data Science industries, including insight from professionals.

When you’re done, you’ll be set up to make the right decision about what Path to start next!

Still not sure where to start?

Outside of our Career Paths and Skill Paths, we also offer a collection of Pro Courses that dive into some pretty interesting topics.

Learn Python 3, one of our most popular Pro Courses, will get you up to speed on the latest and greatest version of Python. Check out Learn Web Scraping with Beautiful Soup to learn how to pull data off the web. Or, explore some of our other interesting Pro Courses (many of which you won’t find in our Career or Skill Paths):

You can head to our Catalog for a full list or Pro Courses.

If you still have questions, we’re here to answer them! The public Codecademy Community Facebook group is a great resource. You’ll be able to ask questions and get advice from other learners that have been in your shoes. The Codecademy Forums are also a great place to find advice on getting started.

Once you decide on the Path or Course that’s right for you, let us know what you choose! Drop a comment below.

Watch: Learn To Code From Home

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Watch: Learn To Code From Home

Looking for Learn From Home Day? We’ve got something in the works for next Wednesday, May 13th. We’ll have more details in a few days… stay tuned!

On April 10th, we went live on Zoom with a global online event to promote togetherness and self-betterment through learning online. If you weren’t able to attend, it’s not too late to watch the full lineup of live talks and interactive sessions.

You can find links to all the individual breakout sessions at the links below. Feel free to mix and match or stick to a single track.

What you’ll learn

Throughout the day, we worked on projects, answered questions, ran group discussions, and helped attendees understand best practices for learning to code from home.

We started with a welcome from Codecademy CEO and co-founder Zach Sims. Then, we had two tracks of breakout sessions — a “Building Websites” track and a “Languages and Usage” track.

Click through on the links below to watch any of the recorded sessions.

TimeSessionRecording
10:00amWelcome!
Codecademy CEO and co-founder Zach Sims opens the day with a keynote.		Watch
10:30am[Track 1] Build Websites: Learn HTML
Learn the backbone of the internet as we know it today: HTML. Sonny and Nick will walk you through Learn HTML, one of Codecademy’s most popular courses and build some basic websites along the way!		Watch
10:30am[Track 2] Languages and Usage: Creative Coding with JavaScript
Interested in coding and want to dive right in? With p5.js, we have a JavaScript library that helps guide your thinking by creating interactive elements on the webpage. We’ll see exactly how the computer is interpreting our code and how to translate some of our thought into a language that computers understand.		Watch
12:00pm[Track 1] Build Websites: Learn CSS
Have you ever wondered why websites look the way they do? Why are some so plain and others so extravagant? In this session, we’ll acquaint ourselves with CSS (or Cascading Style Sheets), the language responsible for decorating the web!		Watch
12:00pm[Track 2] Languages and Usage: Learn Swift
Learn and explore a powerful, modern programming language that is the backbone of many Apple applications: Swift! Join authors Galina and Alex as they navigate through Codecademy’s Learn Swift course and build some awesome projects along the way.		Watch
1:30pm[Track 1] Build Websites: Intro to JavaScript
We’ll walk through the fundamentals of JavaScript—the language of the internet! If you’re looking for a language to dip your toes into the world of coding, look no further. JavaScript has a wide range of applications and usages to help you start your coding journey.		Watch1:30pm[Track 2] Languages and Usage: Forecasting Google Trends Data With R
Learn how to analyze historical trend data and make predictions about the future! Camelia and Ian will walk you through how to use R, a programming language designed for data analysis, to forecast the popularity of different programming languages.		Watch3:00pmWrap up the day!
Join us for a curtain call! We will recap the day and provide next steps to attendees so you can capitalize on all the progress you made today. We’ll highlight some things to come with Codecademy, and take Q&A. See you there!		Watch

Codecademy Zoom backgrounds

If you tuned in, we hope you enjoyed the virtual backgrounds our presenters were using. We thought a change of scenery would be nice. And we wanted to make these special Codecademy Zoom backgrounds available to you too.

before your next Zoom! If you’re on a mobile device, you may need to come back and visit this blog post from a desktop computer.

Note: If the backgrounds appear backwards to you, turn off “Mirror my video.” Everyone else on the call should see the image correctly. Enjoy!

Custom Design Feature | Jennifer Crook Photography

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Custom Design Feature | Jennifer Crook Photography

Custom Website Design Created for Jennifer Crook Photography

Last month we had a pleasure to work with awesome Jennifer Crook. She is a photographer, and I strongly recommend checking her stunning portfolio. Jennifer had her site created by us a few years ago, but as all websites eventually do, it needed refreshment.

Creating new logo

We started by reworking the logo. The general idea was to keep it black and have her name written in a delicate script font paired with straightforward sans-serif typography. I’m a big fan of such font combos, so I was excited to be working on it. Below you will find three different options I came with.

For all the font lovers, here are links to fonts used on those boards which can be found at Creative Market: Lightheartedly, Crossten, Good Run.

As you may notice, the mood boards are really simple. I usually try to incorporate colors and inspirations, which led to creating branding, but there was no point in doing so when the request for the new logo was so specific.

Script font problems

The main difficulty here was finding a script font that will look good with Jennifer’s initials. It is the most common problem with such fonts. Very often, I find myself loving a font, but when I try to use it in the project, the letters do not look as good as on the examples which came with the font.

We were trying a few more options however, the final decision was to use #3 what was not a surprise for me as Good Run font seems to be working perfectly for this type of project.

From logo to design

With the logo ready, we could focus on the website design. Jennifer stated at the very beginning that she like the site to have its content presented in a very minimalistic way. She doesn’t like the full-width area, which is so popular nowadays what is okay. I was thrilled to have a chance to work on something different this time.

Old website look

Here is how her site was looking before the change.

Old design made for Jennifer Crook website

It was a simple portfolio type of website, which was just fine. In my opinion, it aged quite well, and if the code would be okay, Jennifer could still be using that design.

Grand reveal of the new theme

Below you can see the new design. As you may notice, most areas are narrow, and it is how Jennifer wanted them to be. I was a little bit skeptical about this, but now when we have the site ready, I’m in love with this layout.

Full view of Custom Website Design Created for Jennifer Crook Photography

I have helped her create not only the homepage but also all other content pages like testimonials, portfolio, or custom contact forms. Make sure to visit Jennifer site to see how it looks.

Final thoughts

I’m pleased with the final ‘product,’ and I know that Jennifer loves it too, which is the most important thing for me. I have asked her about feedback for this post, and here is what she said:

This is the second time I have used designer blogs to create a website. In both of my experiences; five years ago and now was excellent. Both times I felt my total vision was understood and executed to perfection. The first website designer blogs created for me carried me well for 5 years of my small business. I have no doubt this new site will again help me run my business for another 5 years. You will not be disappointed with the quality of this company.

Thank you designer blogs!!

If you are looking for a custom made design, make sure to contact us via our custom design services page. I would love to chat with you and discuss possible options.

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