Latest news with #Mote
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers weigh benefits of artificial intelligence in classrooms
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, lawmakers are exploring ways to use the technology to strengthen education and make it more accessible. At the same time, concerns are growing over students using AI for shortcuts, and some members of Congress worry that cuts to the Department of Education will limit access to AI in rural and underserved areas. 'AI holds potential inside the classroom and outside the classroom,' said Rep. Kevin Kiley, (R-Calif.). 'This is a technology on par with electricity,' added Rep. John Mannion, (D-N.Y.). Lawmakers see AI as a necessity for improving education in the U.S. Rep. Glenn 'GT' Thompson, (R-Pa.), said AI, when paired with proper guardrails, can benefit schools and educators. 'AI without either HI or RI — human intelligence or real intelligence — is just not going to get it done,' Thompson said. A recent study found that 25% of U.S. teachers have used AI tools for instructional planning and teaching. Experts told lawmakers that properly implementing AI in education will require collaboration with Congress. 'If we're to meet this moment, we need to do it together,' said Erin Mote, an education technology expert. Rep. Jahana Hayes, (D-Conn.), supports the push for AI in education but said the recent elimination of the Office of Education Technology could slow its rollout. 'How has this office assisted states in the implementation of AI technologies in the classroom?' Hayes asked. Mote responded that the office played a critical role. 'Providing that necessary expertise and knowledge that, frankly, would be impossible for there to be an AI expert in every district,' Mote said. Mannion also voiced concerns about AI replacing teachers rather than assisting them. 'We have to ensure that it supports and not supplants the essential roles of teachers and the broader purpose of education,' he said. Lawmakers and experts agree that they must develop solutions to prevent students from using AI to cut corners and to address cybersecurity risks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Walton Family Foundation artist grant ends after 7 years
A grant program that supported NWA artists will end after the Walton Family Foundation did not renew funding. Why it matters: Mid-America Arts Alliance's Artists 360 program provided grants to artists of different mediums and was broader in the costs it covered than similar grants, Mid-America Arts Alliance spokesperson Sarah Mote told Axios. It wasn't tied to specific projects and could go toward expenses like studio space, Mote said. What they're saying:"As priorities evolve, we regularly assess and refine grantmaking," Walton Family Foundation spokesperson Kathryn Heller told Axios in an emailed statement. "We deeply appreciate Mid-America Arts Alliance for leading a remarkable program that has positively impacted artists across the region." By the numbers: The program received $2.4 million in grants since 2018, and gave money to 157 artists in Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian and Washington counties, according to the alliance. Zoom out: Mote expressed gratitude for the program's lasting effects on the art community, noting the professional development and mentorships it helped facilitate. Mid-America Arts Alliance will continue to grow its other programs in NWA and is always looking for funding for art programming, she said. What's next: A showcase to celebrate the grant recipients is set for April 27 at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mote scientists, partners unveil arsenal of tools aimed at fighting red tide
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) – Mote Marine Laboratory received millions of dollars from the state for a red tide mitigation initiative a few years back. Now, alongside their partners, scientists unveiled some of the tools they've developed to tackle the harmful algal blooms. 'The state of Florida is leading in the U.S. and indeed leading in the world in developing new technologies to fight, not only red tide but other harmful algal blooms in freshwater and marine ecosystems all around the United States and all around the world,' said Mote CEO Dr. Michael Crosby. QVC US and HSN operations close campus in St. Petersburg Scientists looked at more than 300 different approaches and narrowed it down to about two dozen. Three of those have already received state and federal approvals to be deployed. 'Our mantra is with all of these technologies.. none of them will do any greater harm to the environment than the red tide is already doing,' said Dr. Crosby. Mote broke down three initiatives ready for deployment in a news release this week. Principal Investigator: Dr. Dana WetzelCLEAR is a novel, naturally derived biocide developed by Mote's Environmental Laboratory for Forensics. Harnessing the properties of natural plant-based compounds, CLEAR targets K. brevis with no environmental impact. CLEAR's active ingredients are classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, and studies show no measurable accumulation in the environment. The all-natural biocide degrades fully within half a day, ensuring its safety for marine ecosystems. Regulatory approvals from the EPA, FDACS, and DEP allow for rapid deployment of CLEAR in the event of a bloom. Mote has developed multiple formulations of CLEAR to ensure versatility. Engineered particle treatments can be deployed on surface waters via vessel-mounted blowers, drones, or backpack sprayers. For underwater applications, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) deliver the liquid form directly into blooms. This liquid application may also be deployed sub-surface with a specially equipped boat. CLEAR-embedded dissolvable beads provide sustained protection for 30-60 days, ideal for canals, marinas, and other vulnerable areas. This multi-faceted approach ensures targeted and effective mitigation. Principal Investigator: Dr. Rich PierceXtreme is a natural, non-toxic water treatment product developed by Heartland Energy Group. Previously used for blue-green algae (a freshwater HAB), Xtreme has demonstrated significant effectiveness against K. brevis. Lab testing and mesocosm experiments at Mote confirmed Xtreme's ability to reduce red tide cells and brevetoxins while posing no harm to marine life, including commercially important clams. Xtreme offers a natural solution that could help control blooms. This product is deployed by a large handheld sprayer. Principal Investigator: Dr. Rich PierceOZONIX® is a patented, chemical-free water treatment technology that combines several processes to eliminate K. brevis cells and their toxins. It uses hydrodynamic cavitation (a process that creates bubbles in the water to break apart harmful substances), ozone injection (adding ozone gas to the water, which helps break down toxins), ultrasonic acoustic cavitation (using sound waves to create bubbles that break down harmful materials), and electrochemical oxidation (a process where electricity helps remove contaminants). These techniques work by running large hoses into the water that are connected to a trailer outfitted with a complex water system. Together, these techniques effectively address the red tide algae and its toxins. When and where to deploy these technologies will be up to state and federal leaders. 'This is huge for the state of Florida, it is huge for the United States, it is huge for the world to be able to fight these very toxic negative impacts to our environment, to our economy and to our quality of life,' said Dr. Crosby. 'We are working very patiently, but very deliberately through the permitting process for the other dozen and a half technologies. We need them all to be approved, but we do have to work through those processes. We are ready to deploy now. What we need to do is a scale this up so that we can have large-scale deployment of all of these technologies,' he continued. Partners of Mote include Senior Global Product Manager, Heartland Energy Group, Prescott Clean Water, AquaTech Eco Consultants, Hull's Environmental Services, and A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
