Author: Laura Ascione

Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
Cybersecurity 2025

K-12 cyberattacks threaten data–and students

Through proactive cybersecurity strategies and collaboration, K-12 schools can improve cyber defenses against evolving cyberattacks

Laura Ascione

Key points: The long-term impacts of K-12 cyberattacks, including lost learning time and disruptions to school operations, are just as damaging as stolen data, according to a new report from the Center for Internet Security, Inc. (CIS). The 2025 CIS MS-ISAC K-12 Cybersecurity Report, released at the SXSW EDU conference, … Read More

Digital Equity 2025

The digital divide still holds students back

Access to devices and reliable internet for students with lower family incomes is lagging that of students with higher family incomes

Laura Ascione

Key points: Students’ access to technology has improved over time, although it continues to vary across family income categories and racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study released today by ACT, the a provider of assessments, research, and work-ready credentials. And a majority of students–70 percent–are concerned about having … Read More

SEL & Student Well-Being 2025

Taking stock of student mental health

Assessing how and when students are forming foundations for mental health is a good starting point in building out mental health literacy in schools

Laura Ascione

Key points: After the COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on youth mental health, much attention continues to be paid to the topic, with everyone from mental health experts and educators to parents and policymakers pointing to alarming statistics about the state of young people’s emotions and mindsets. But was youth … Read More

Digital Learning Tools & Resources

Closing the digital use divide with active and engaging learning

Students offered insight into how to use active learning, with digital tools, to boost their engagement

Laura Ascione

Key points: When it comes to classroom edtech use, digital tools have a drastically different impact when they are used actively instead of passively–a critical difference examined in the 2023-2024 Speak Up Research by Project Tomorrow. Active learning with technology involves the use of edtech tools and digital resources to … Read More

Coding, Robotics, & Engineering 2024

Putting the ‘E’ in integrative STEM instruction

Educators don't have to shy away from engineering--it's a STEM component that works across core content areas

Laura Ascione

Key points: STEM learning essential, helping students develop skills such as critical thinking and problem solving–skills that will help them be successful in college and the workforce. Though many teachers tout the importance of STEM learning, many also shy away from the “E” in STEM. But engineering and the engineering … Read More

Coding, Robotics, & Engineering 2024

Why educational robotics is a critical STEM learning tool

STEM learning can be challenging, but educational robotics offers students an opportunity for a hands-on, guided problem solving learning experience

Laura Ascione

Engineering is a critical part of STEM education, and engineers play a role in creating, improving, and maintaining some of today’s most valued and essential things, from smartphones and airplanes to zippers and roller coasters. This year, Engineers Week celebrates “Creating the Future,” and it emphasizes the vital role engineers … Read More

STEM & STEAM 2024

How to use PBL with makerspaces across your curriculum

At ISTELive 24, combining project-based learning with hands-on engagement yields inspiring results

Laura Ascione

Key points: Project-based learning (PBL) has many definitions, but at its core, it is a teaching method through which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. Combining PBL with makerspaces (also … Read More

STEM & STEAM 2024

Report finds persistent STEM career exposure gaps for women

A national report reveals a critical need to improve career guidance to address labor shortages in high-paying STEM roles

Laura Ascione

Key points:  Women play a crucial role in filling high-paying, in-demand STEM careers, but they account for just 34 percent of the STEM workforce, according to a new report from YouScience and Ford Next Generation Learning. The 2024 Female Students and STEM Report reveals that beginning in middle school, female students … Read More

STEM & STEAM 2024

Black students need more STEM career exposure

Report from YouScience and Black Girls Do STEM analyzes data from students across the U.S., highlighting significant career exposure gaps in STEM

Laura Ascione

Key points: Black students across the nation possess the aptitudes for in-demand STEM careers, but lack interest in pursuing them, indicating that a significant career exposure gap exists, likely due to underrepresentation in STEM careers.  The information comes from the 2024 Black Students and STEM Report from YouScience, a technology … Read More

eSports 2024

Friday 5: How esports engages students

Esports programs offer a number of benefits for students, including career-ready skills, social-emotional abilities, and more

Laura Ascione

Key points: Academic esports programs aren’t simply a group of students sitting in a classroom playing video games. Rather, teams and tournaments promote collaboration, critical thinking, communication skills, and offer inclusive environments that welcome students from all backgrounds and with all abilities. How can schools create esports programs and teams? … Read More