In the heart of Baltimore City, the Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) is crafting a narrative of change through mindfulness education and yoga. In a milieu where inner-city challenges abound, HLF's Mindful Moment and Holistic Me programs stand out as guiding lights, offering a transformative journey toward self-discovery and resilience. "Breathe in, breathe out" echoes through the halls, a simple yet profound mantra underscoring HLF's commitment to mindfulness education. In urban landscapes …
News and Updates
Let’s Eat Some Cake!
🍰 Let's eat some cake! 🍰 Now, before you start picturing a delicious dessert table, let's talk about a different kind of layering – our data layers. Recently, we found ourselves in a situation that, despite the sweet analogy, was more of a digital conundrum than a delightful confection. Dive into this tech-tale with me as we unwrap the layers of a recent data incident – a story that's both amusing and enlightening. 🎂✨ Client: "Our data is like a finely crafted tapestry, each thread …
Empowering Tomorrow: RoboMasters and the Rhythm of Inclusive Innovation
In the field of robotics, a glaring opportunity gap persists, particularly in under-resourced communities. This divide extends beyond technology; it's a formidable barrier, denying access to the transformative field of robotics for those in greatest need. RoboMasters, a 3-year multi-million dollar grant supported by the National Defense Education Program (NDEP), stands as an earnest effort to dismantle these barriers with an unwavering commitment to access, diversity, and …
A Pause: The Final Glance At The #410 Evaluation Report
A ritual, perhaps, for some it may be deemed a mere force of habit; for others, a meticulous perusal, ensuring the sublime harmony of a report's design layout. To me, it transcends routine — a deliberate act of granting the document a final gaze, one last look, a momentary pause before ushering it into the hands of our clients. In the annals of time, my dedicated team and I have meticulously crafted an array of evaluation reports, each a testament to our unwavering commitment to truthful …
A Visit to Felician University for the “Internet for All” Initiative
On Friday, I had the pleasure of being present at the venerable grounds of the Felician University, bearing witness to an event of profound significance—the deployment day of Apple iPads and hot spots. This transformative initiative saw the distribution of 300 iPads to under resourced Felician students across programs, a pivotal step in addressing the educational achievement gap and prevailing digital divide. Concurrently, it marked an epochal upgrade and expansion of the university's broadband …
A Little Award For Brave Evaluation Reporting
Yesterday, I stood humbled and honored to receive the prestigious NASA’s Science Activation Puffin Award for MNA’s commitment to brave evaluation reporting this past year. In a world grappling with the profound impact of climate change on the puffin population, this award symbolizes resilience – not just in our feathered friends on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, but in the pursuit of truth. The recognition comes on the heels of in-depth coverage of a Science Activation (SciAct) …
On Another Non-Political Breaking News…
Despite the generally gloomy news all around us, I have some good news to share. As the world grapples with its challenges, it's important to celebrate the moments of light that break through the clouds. Today, I'm delighted to announce that MNA has reached a remarkable milestone in our journey of supporting academic excellence and groundbreaking evaluation work. Since 2009, we have been dedicated to providing top-notch evaluations for National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, and today, we …
Mastercard Partners with Atlanta University Center on a Data Science Initiative
Breaking News! Mastercard Partners with AUC Data Science Initiative, Drops 6.5-Million-Dollar Data-Heavy Check! In an event that left accountants and bankers everywhere trembling (not really), Mastercard announced a $6.5 million partnership with the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Data Science Initiative. The event, held at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, was scheduled for October 18th at 12:00 PM. But hold on to your calculators, because the check from Mastercard was so heavy that they …
Welcoming A New Member At MNA!
Dr. Steven Petritis, an extraordinary Ph.D. holder, is not just your average education researcher. He's a dynamic force in the realm of education, program evaluation, and STEM curriculum design. With a penchant for precision and a passion for education, Steven brings an unparalleled level of expertise to the table. His journey through academia, from the hallowed halls of the University of Arizona to the innovative landscapes of Michigan State University, has been nothing short of remarkable. …
MNA Continues Evaluation Work In The Teacher Preparation Programs Realm
The Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program funded by the U.S. Department of Education supports teacher preparation programs in high-need communities at colleges and universities for the undergraduate, “fifth-year” level, and for teaching residency programs for individuals new to teaching with strong academic and professional backgrounds. The central feature of all TQP grantees is a strong partnership between the teacher preparation program and the school districts they serve, often …