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ABC News
2 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
High school students introduced to robotics to encourage STEM careers
Ahmad Elbashety would be finished his schooling by now, but had to flee his home in Gaza during his final year of study. After a year he describes as being extremely hard and uncertain, he was able to come to Australia and recommence his schooling. Joining year 10 at Bankstown Senior College in Sydney's south-west, Ahmad has taken part in a study that teaches high school students coding and robotics. He says the program has given him a career to aspire to and something to focus on. "I didn't know much about robotics or programming, but now I really enjoy it," Ahmad said. He is one of 40 year 10 students in a program run by Australian Catholic University (ACU) that has targeted students from low socio-economic and refugee backgrounds. The new study is examining whether teaching students coding and robotics can spark a sustained interest in STEM. Students from schools in Western Sydney were given a week-long crash course learning how to operate a robot using easy-to-learn drag-and-drop blocks of code on an electronic tablet. Caroline Chisholm College student Aliyah Chilly said the course was the first time she had used coding to drive a robot. She said the drag-and-drop block coding was easy to use for a beginner. "The blocks are made for you, you've just got to fill in the information like degrees, the speed and how far you want it [the car] to go," Aliyah said. Following the week-long course, the students were given a tablet and a robot and will respond to surveys and complete tasks over the next nine months to see if they still have that interest. A federal government education grant funded the tablets and robots. ACU associate professor of IT Walayat Hussain said jobs of the future would demand knowledge of how to work with robots. "You can see AI has been embedded everywhere," Dr Hussain said. Dr Hussain is running the study along with Dr Mehdi Rajaeian and Dr Mahmoud Bekhit. They are managing the project in their spare time. Dr Hussain said that without training in AI and robotics, young people could face reduced job prospects in their future. "I believe that every human should have equal access to this technology," he said. National figures show STEM education outcomes have been slow to progress in recent years. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority found only 57 per cent of year 6 students attained the science proficiency standard in 2023. In 2006, just 54 per cent of year 6 students attained the standard. Progress on attaining science proficiency standards has also been slow among year 10 students. Just 54 per cent of year 10 students met the standard in 2023, compared to 50 per cent in 2018. The researchers hope programs like this could help turn figures like these around. The study's first week may have already inspired some interest in STEM careers. Ahmad hopes he can get a university scholarship and continue studying engineering. St Agnes Catholic student Isabella Sukkarieh wants to become a biomedical or industrial engineer. "I will need to design products and then I'll need to use programs like the ones we're using here to show, basically, proof that the product works," Isabella said. Meanwhile, Caroline Chisholm College student Aliyah Chilly is interested in bringing her knowledge of robotics to child care to introduce the skills to an even younger generation than hers. "I feel like it's something important for kids to experience," Aliyah said.
The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Calls for content rating as violence, misogyny found in young adult fiction
Parents of young readers may be shocked to learn that many popular novels marketed to preteen girls contain graphic sexual assault and domestic violence themes. A child safeguarding expert has called for content warnings on young adult (YA) fiction to protect vulnerable kids and teens, as well as an industry-wide book rating classification system. Novels such as the Icebreaker series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Once Upon a Broken Heart and Lore Olympus included violent or explicit storylines, new research has found. While some novels were not explicitly directed at preteens, they were popular with girls as young as 12 due to the influence of social media. Dr Emma Hussey, from the Australian Catholic University's (ACU) Institute of Child Protection Studies, said the books were often available in school and community libraries, and were easily accessible to children of all ages. "We looked at a range of fantasy, romance, paranormal, and general fiction novels that were being promoted to teenagers and compared the relationship dynamics to real-world warning signs of abuse," Dr Hussey said. "What we found was a pattern of emotional manipulation, jealousy and control being regularly framed as signs of love," the digital criminologist said. "That was really alarming because these are behaviours that we warn about in domestic violence education, but they're being normalised in fiction that young readers are picking up." ACU academics conducted a thematic analysis of 20 novels recommended by BookTok, a literature subcommunity on TikTok, which are popular among young readers. They found that each novel contained elements of domestic and family violence such as sexual assault, torture, grooming, power and control, including dominance and submission. They also found themes of sexual objectification and masculinity tropes, including powerful, dangerous, and handsome male love interests. "Extreme" sexually explicit content was found in 65 per cent of books analysed, and "moderate" sexual content was in a quarter of books. Graphic and extreme violence was also found in 65 per cent of books, according to the research. Dr Hussey described a scene in Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber where the protagonist is restrained by her love interest. The god-like male character's kiss is poisonous to the protagonist, who is in "constant threat" of death during their courtship, the child safeguarding expert said. The love interest denies the main character's autonomy and is able to speak through her body, Dr Hussey said. "If young readers consistently consume stories where love is tied to obsession, jealousy, possessiveness, or control, they may internalise these behaviours as normal - even desirable - in relationships," Dr Hussey said. "We are already facing a domestic violence epidemic. If girls grow up believing these themes are what they should be looking for in a relationship we run the risk of perpetuating this cycle," she said. Following the research by ACU, Dr Hussey is calling for content warnings to be included on book covers. She is also advocating for the adoption of an industry-wide classification system, similar to those seen in film and television, so parents are able to check if their child is reading developmentally inappropriate content. "A rating system is not about censorship. It is about transparency and ensuring books containing themes such as violence, explicit sexual content, and unhealthy relationship dynamics are classified appropriately," she said. READ MORE: Book ban overturned in rowdy council meeting Some publishers include an age rating in small print, others include content warnings, but some "prefer you to go in blind", the digital criminologist said. "The reality is that many parents have no idea what their children are reading," Dr Hussey said. "The time for action is now," she said. "Parents, schools, and policymakers must work together to implement structured guidance that protects young readers while still allowing them to explore and engage with stories in a way that is safe, educational, and developmentally appropriate." Penguin Books Australia and Bloomsbury Publishing were contacted for comment. Parents of young readers may be shocked to learn that many popular novels marketed to preteen girls contain graphic sexual assault and domestic violence themes. A child safeguarding expert has called for content warnings on young adult (YA) fiction to protect vulnerable kids and teens, as well as an industry-wide book rating classification system. Novels such as the Icebreaker series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Once Upon a Broken Heart and Lore Olympus included violent or explicit storylines, new research has found. While some novels were not explicitly directed at preteens, they were popular with girls as young as 12 due to the influence of social media. Dr Emma Hussey, from the Australian Catholic University's (ACU) Institute of Child Protection Studies, said the books were often available in school and community libraries, and were easily accessible to children of all ages. "We looked at a range of fantasy, romance, paranormal, and general fiction novels that were being promoted to teenagers and compared the relationship dynamics to real-world warning signs of abuse," Dr Hussey said. "What we found was a pattern of emotional manipulation, jealousy and control being regularly framed as signs of love," the digital criminologist said. "That was really alarming because these are behaviours that we warn about in domestic violence education, but they're being normalised in fiction that young readers are picking up." ACU academics conducted a thematic analysis of 20 novels recommended by BookTok, a literature subcommunity on TikTok, which are popular among young readers. They found that each novel contained elements of domestic and family violence such as sexual assault, torture, grooming, power and control, including dominance and submission. They also found themes of sexual objectification and masculinity tropes, including powerful, dangerous, and handsome male love interests. "Extreme" sexually explicit content was found in 65 per cent of books analysed, and "moderate" sexual content was in a quarter of books. Graphic and extreme violence was also found in 65 per cent of books, according to the research. Dr Hussey described a scene in Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber where the protagonist is restrained by her love interest. The god-like male character's kiss is poisonous to the protagonist, who is in "constant threat" of death during their courtship, the child safeguarding expert said. The love interest denies the main character's autonomy and is able to speak through her body, Dr Hussey said. "If young readers consistently consume stories where love is tied to obsession, jealousy, possessiveness, or control, they may internalise these behaviours as normal - even desirable - in relationships," Dr Hussey said. "We are already facing a domestic violence epidemic. If girls grow up believing these themes are what they should be looking for in a relationship we run the risk of perpetuating this cycle," she said. Following the research by ACU, Dr Hussey is calling for content warnings to be included on book covers. She is also advocating for the adoption of an industry-wide classification system, similar to those seen in film and television, so parents are able to check if their child is reading developmentally inappropriate content. "A rating system is not about censorship. It is about transparency and ensuring books containing themes such as violence, explicit sexual content, and unhealthy relationship dynamics are classified appropriately," she said. READ MORE: Book ban overturned in rowdy council meeting Some publishers include an age rating in small print, others include content warnings, but some "prefer you to go in blind", the digital criminologist said. "The reality is that many parents have no idea what their children are reading," Dr Hussey said. "The time for action is now," she said. "Parents, schools, and policymakers must work together to implement structured guidance that protects young readers while still allowing them to explore and engage with stories in a way that is safe, educational, and developmentally appropriate." Penguin Books Australia and Bloomsbury Publishing were contacted for comment. Parents of young readers may be shocked to learn that many popular novels marketed to preteen girls contain graphic sexual assault and domestic violence themes. A child safeguarding expert has called for content warnings on young adult (YA) fiction to protect vulnerable kids and teens, as well as an industry-wide book rating classification system. Novels such as the Icebreaker series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Once Upon a Broken Heart and Lore Olympus included violent or explicit storylines, new research has found. While some novels were not explicitly directed at preteens, they were popular with girls as young as 12 due to the influence of social media. Dr Emma Hussey, from the Australian Catholic University's (ACU) Institute of Child Protection Studies, said the books were often available in school and community libraries, and were easily accessible to children of all ages. "We looked at a range of fantasy, romance, paranormal, and general fiction novels that were being promoted to teenagers and compared the relationship dynamics to real-world warning signs of abuse," Dr Hussey said. "What we found was a pattern of emotional manipulation, jealousy and control being regularly framed as signs of love," the digital criminologist said. "That was really alarming because these are behaviours that we warn about in domestic violence education, but they're being normalised in fiction that young readers are picking up." ACU academics conducted a thematic analysis of 20 novels recommended by BookTok, a literature subcommunity on TikTok, which are popular among young readers. They found that each novel contained elements of domestic and family violence such as sexual assault, torture, grooming, power and control, including dominance and submission. They also found themes of sexual objectification and masculinity tropes, including powerful, dangerous, and handsome male love interests. "Extreme" sexually explicit content was found in 65 per cent of books analysed, and "moderate" sexual content was in a quarter of books. Graphic and extreme violence was also found in 65 per cent of books, according to the research. Dr Hussey described a scene in Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber where the protagonist is restrained by her love interest. The god-like male character's kiss is poisonous to the protagonist, who is in "constant threat" of death during their courtship, the child safeguarding expert said. The love interest denies the main character's autonomy and is able to speak through her body, Dr Hussey said. "If young readers consistently consume stories where love is tied to obsession, jealousy, possessiveness, or control, they may internalise these behaviours as normal - even desirable - in relationships," Dr Hussey said. "We are already facing a domestic violence epidemic. If girls grow up believing these themes are what they should be looking for in a relationship we run the risk of perpetuating this cycle," she said. Following the research by ACU, Dr Hussey is calling for content warnings to be included on book covers. She is also advocating for the adoption of an industry-wide classification system, similar to those seen in film and television, so parents are able to check if their child is reading developmentally inappropriate content. "A rating system is not about censorship. It is about transparency and ensuring books containing themes such as violence, explicit sexual content, and unhealthy relationship dynamics are classified appropriately," she said. READ MORE: Book ban overturned in rowdy council meeting Some publishers include an age rating in small print, others include content warnings, but some "prefer you to go in blind", the digital criminologist said. "The reality is that many parents have no idea what their children are reading," Dr Hussey said. "The time for action is now," she said. "Parents, schools, and policymakers must work together to implement structured guidance that protects young readers while still allowing them to explore and engage with stories in a way that is safe, educational, and developmentally appropriate." Penguin Books Australia and Bloomsbury Publishing were contacted for comment.
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
RBI announces auction of two dated securities worth Rs 25000 crore
New Delhi [India], July 8 (ANI): The Government of India has announced the auction of two dated securities worth a total of Rs 25,000 crore, as per an official notification issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to the notification, the auction includes a new Government Security (GS) maturing on July 14, 2032, worth Rs 11,000 crore, and a re-issue of the 7.09 per cent GS maturing on November 25, 2074, worth Rs 14,000 crore. The government also has the option to retain an additional subscription of up to Rs 2,000 crore for each of the securities. The auction will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through its Mumbai office using the e-Kuber system on July 11, 2025 (Friday), and the settlement will be completed on July 14, 2025 (Monday). RBI stated, 'Government of India (GoI) has announced the sale (issue / re-issue) of two dated securities for a notified amount of Rs 25,000 crore'. A dated security is a type of government bond issued with a fixed maturity date and interest rate, and it pays interest to the investor at regular intervals, usually every six months. These are long-term borrowings by the government to finance its fiscal needs. On the other hand, a re-issue of securities refers to the sale of an existing security that has already been issued in the past. Re-issued securities carry the same terms, such as interest rate and maturity date, as the original issue but are sold in a fresh auction to raise additional funds. RBI noted that the auction will follow a multiple-price method where both competitive and non-competitive bids can be submitted electronically on the RBI's e-Kuber platform. Non-competitive bids are allowed between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., while competitive bids can be submitted from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the day of the auction. The results will be announced on the same day, and successful bidders must make payments by the settlement date. Primary Dealers can also submit bids for underwriting the Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) portion between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on the same day. The securities will be eligible for 'When Issued' trading from July 8 to July 11, 2025. They will be issued in a minimum amount of Rs 10,000 and in multiples of Rs 10,000 thereafter. Up to 5 per cent of the notified amount of each security is reserved for eligible individuals and institutions under the non-competitive bidding facility, which can also be accessed through the Retail Direct portal. Interest on these securities will generally be paid half-yearly. The RBI has also stated that in the event of technical failures, physical bids may be submitted in exceptional cases using prescribed forms. Investors are allowed to place multiple competitive bids, provided the total does not exceed the notified amount. (ANI)
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
RBI notifies underwriting auction for Rs 32,000 crore Government Securities
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced an underwriting auction for the sale of government securities worth Rs 32,000 crore on Friday. The auction will cover both issue of new government security and the re-issue of an existing one. 'The underwriting auction will be conducted through multiple price-based method on July 04, 2025 (Friday). PDs may submit their bids for ACU auction electronically through Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) System,' the RBI said. The securities include a new Government Security (GS) maturing in 2040 and a re-issue of the 6.90 per cent GS maturing in 2065, each carrying a notified amount of Rs 16,000 crore. These bonds will be sold through a competitive bidding process involving Primary Dealers (PDs). In simple terms, an underwriting auction is conducted by the RBI to ensure that the full amount of government bonds being issued is subscribed, even if market demand is uncertain. Primary Dealers act as underwriters in this process, they commit to purchasing any unsold portion of the bonds. This mechanism helps the government raise funds smoothly for its expenditure needs. As per the RBI's underwriting commitment scheme, each PD has a Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) of Rs 381 crore for each of the two securities. They are also required to place bids for at least Rs 381 crore under the Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) auction. The auction will follow a multiple price-based method and will be held through the RBI's E-Kuber system. The underwriting commission, or fee paid to PDs for their commitment, will be credited to their accounts on the day the securities are issued. This auction is part of the government's regular borrowing program and highlights the RBI's role in facilitating smooth debt market operations. (ANI)
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ACU's Center for Sports Leadership and Learning and SABR Partner to Advance Data Literacy and Leadership in Sports
Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2025) - In a bold move to transform the future of sports leadership and analytics, the Center for Sports Leadership and Learning at Abilene Christian University (ACU) yesterday announced a strategic partnership with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) during the opening session of the SABR 2025 National Convention in Dallas, Texas. The announcement was shared during a special Q&A session featuring Dr. George Saltsman, provost at ACU Dallas, and Scott Bush, chief executive officer of SABR. This partnership unites two organizations deeply committed to excellence in research, education and the advancement of sport through scholarship and innovation. "ACU is proud to collaborate with SABR, an organization with a legendary commitment to intellectual curiosity and love of the game," said Dr. George Saltsman. "Together, we aim to elevate the role of analytics and leadership education across the entire sports landscape - from the front office to the field and, ultimately, to the fans." Founded in 1971 in Cooperstown, New York, SABR has grown from a small group of baseball historians into a global network of over 7,500 members - including executives, coaches, players, journalists and passionate fans - united by a shared love of baseball and a devotion to rigorous research. Often called the "Phi Beta Kappa of baseball," SABR is known for its unmatched scholarly community and dynamic annual convention, which brings together baseball's sharpest minds and voices. Through this partnership, ACU and SABR will begin integrating SABR's industry-respected course content and certification pathways into ACU's academic and professional development programs. The two organizations will collaborate on assigning academic credit to SABR courses, enabling sports professionals to earn credentials that align with their career advancement goals. Initial efforts will focus on adapting SABR's analytics training for inclusion in degree offerings and non-degree certificates at ACU Online. In addition, faculty and staff from both organizations will explore opportunities for collaborative research projects that combine SABR's vast historical data and analytical tools with ACU's academic expertise. Joint professional development offerings and pilot course rollouts are expected to launch later this year. "This partnership is about more than baseball - it's about bringing SABR's legacy of thoughtful inquiry and statistical innovation to a wider sports audience," said Scott Bush, SABR CEO. "Together with ACU, we're opening doors for learners, leaders and organizations seeking to make smarter decisions, build stronger teams, and deepen their understanding of the games we love." "SABR transformed the way professional baseball teams build rosters and how they play the game, ushering in a new era of data-driven decision-making and performance," said Ben Baroody, executive director of the Center for Sports Leadership and Learning. "It's only fitting that SABR is once again at the forefront-this time as we work to redefine how leadership development and learning are integrated across the sports industry. This partnership represents a bold step toward equipping today's and tomorrow's leaders with the insight and tools they need to thrive on and off the field in an ever-evolving sports landscape." The collaboration will begin immediately with plans to pilot integrated courses and co-branded professional development offerings in late 2025. Additional details, including opportunities for enrollment and involvement, will be announced in the coming months. Launched in 2025, the Center for Sports Leadership and Learning at ACU Online exists to empower coaches, administrators, and athletes through holistic leadership education, strategic consulting, and applied research. The Center serves sports professionals across all levels - from youth leagues to pro teams - through innovative programming that integrates faith, character and high-performance principles. Learn more at The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is a global community of baseball enthusiasts, researchers, historians and professionals dedicated to preserving and advancing the game through thoughtful analysis and shared passion. Founded in 1971 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, SABR hosts dozens of research committees, regional chapters, and an annual convention that celebrates baseball scholarship, culture, and camaraderie. Learn more at ### Contact: Wendy Kilmer, of Strategic Communications Amanda Gibson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, ACU Online To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
