All posts tagged: challenge

Pizza Hut’s Book It Reading Challenge is Back

Pizza Hut’s Book It Reading Challenge is Back

Published by José Betancourt

Pizza Hut’s Summer 2026 Book It program opened for enrollment on May 1st and will officially kick off June 1st. The much-beloved reading challenge rewards pre-K through 6th-grade readers with personal pan pizzas for reaching their parent-set reading goals. Kids can earn one pizza per month for June, July, and August if they meet their reading goals for 15 days of each of those months, with the goal ranging from 20 minutes to 50 minutes per day, depending on what the parents have decided. Setting goals, marking them complete, and redeeming the reward certificates all happen through the Book It App, and parents can manage multiple children under their account. (Note that the number of free pizzas per household is capped at five per month.) Begun in 1984 (right when this writer was in prime summer reading challenge years), the Book It program reaches more than 14 million children per year. The program also provides some supporting materials, including printable goal trackers and discussion questions, on its resource pages. Source link

Lack of evidence could ‘challenge’ reforms, say EEF

Lack of evidence could ‘challenge’ reforms, say EEF

Published by skeptic

A lack of evidence on what works to support pupils with SEND could pose a “challenge” to reforms, the government’s go-to body for showing what works in education has warned. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has responded to the Department for Education’s SEND consultation, which closed on May 18. Proposed reforms would see mainstream schools support more SEND pupils, while education, health and care plans (EHCPs) would be reserved for pupils with the most complex needs. ‘Significant evidence gaps’ However, the EEF said there remained “significant evidence gaps” in terms what works for SEND pupils, with some research required that “does not yet exist”. “The DfE’s ambition to ensure that high quality evidence informs education decisions in relation to SEND is important. “However at present the gaps in the current evidence base mean that there are areas where that is likely to be challenging given the many practices for which high quality evidence does not yet exist.” The EEF also said there was a “practice gap”, and that it was important that teachers engage with …

Ready to hunt some enormous snakes? The Florida Python Challenge returns.

Ready to hunt some enormous snakes? The Florida Python Challenge returns.

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Florida’s war against the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is still going strong, but you can do your part to battle one of the state’s most destructive invasive species. Earlier this week, Everglades National Park announced it is once again teaming up with local organizations for this year’s Florida Python Challenge. The task is straightforward enough: From July 10–19, participants are encouraged to trap and humanely dispatch as many snakes as possible. The pythons must then be deposited at one of the competition’s designated check stations within 24 hours, at which point they’re measured and added to the hunter’s overall tally. At the end of the 10 days, prizes are awarded to the participants who caught the most snakes and whoever bagged the longest serpents.  “Protecting Everglades National Park, one of the world’s most globally significant ecosystems, requires ongoing partnerships and community stewardship,” Everglades National Park superintendent Pedro Ramos said in a statement. “By engaging the public in science-based invasive …

A new challenge for Europe

A new challenge for Europe

Published by skeptic

The European Chips Act represents a strategic response by the European Union to the growing challenges and opportunities in the semiconductor sector. With a planned investment of over €43bn, the goal is to increase Europe’s semiconductor market share from 10% to 20% by 2030 The European Chips Act represents a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering Europe’s semiconductor sector, which is critical for everything from smart devices to electric vehicles. As the world becomes increasingly dependent on technology, the role of semiconductors has never been more pivotal. Recognising this, the European Union has set forth a strategic plan to enhance its position in the global semiconductor landscape. At the heart of this strategy lies the concept of Pilot Lines – dedicated facilities designed to foster innovation and streamline the production of cutting-edge semiconductor technologies. The EU Chips Act forms the answer of the European Union in the face of two major societal challenges. One is the need for more strategic autonomy, to reinforce the Union’s ability to set its own course amidst shifting global dynamics. The …

Jeff Probst Spoils Survivor 50 Fire-Making Challenge Live

Jeff Probst Spoils Survivor 50 Fire-Making Challenge Live

Published by Daniella Wilson

Jeff Probst mistakenly revealed who won the Survivor 50 fire-making challenge during the live finale episode on Wednesday night, spoiling the top three of the season for viewers. During the season finale of the reality series, Rizo Velovic was brought out onto the stage prematurely before his fire-making competition against Jonathan Young was shown in the episode. Earlier in the show’s episode, Aubry Bracco triumphed in the final immunity challenge and chose Velovic and Young to compete in the iconic Survivor challenge, which determines the final three competitors of a season. Probst pronounced that Velovic had become “the final member of our jury,” as the audience members barely clapped and the rest of the already-eliminated contestants and jury members looked visibly confused. “What just happened?” Probst questioned, to which the eliminated Survivor contestants told the host and showrunner that “fire hasn’t happened yet” in the episode. “I’m not even sure what’s happened,” Probst quipped as he sent the show to a commercial break. Once he returned, he shed light on what really played out live …

Ex-commando Al Carns ‘keeping options open’ for challenge to Keir Starmer – POLITICO

Ex-commando Al Carns ‘keeping options open’ for challenge to Keir Starmer – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Some Labour MPs have viewed the ex-commander as a possible future leadership candidate since arriving at Westminster — but his supporters have brought that timeline forward and insist he must be part of any contest which takes place this year, following a series of blows to Starmer’s authority. The prime minister has said he is staying put after his health secretary, Wes Streeting, resigned, and longtime critic Burnham announced a bid to re-enter parliament to challenge him. More than 90 MPs have called for Starmer to set out a timeline to quit. While there is no leadership race currently underway, one is now more likely than it has been at any time under his premiership. Burnham and Streeting have both signaled their intention to stand for the top job, but three parliamentary allies of Carns — granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters — argued that any competition must not be restricted to the two front-runners.  One Labour MP backing Carns said he appealed to a “broad spectrum” within the party, and on some issues, “he’s …

How MLB’s and T-Mobile’s ABS Challenge System Corrects Strike Calls in Seconds

How MLB’s and T-Mobile’s ABS Challenge System Corrects Strike Calls in Seconds

Published by skeptic

Baseball can be a game of physics and statistics, so I was surprised during a recent major league game in Seattle when a technical measurement sent the crowd into a tizzy. In the May 1 matchup, Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans threw a fastball to hitter Leo Rivas of the Seattle Mariners toward the bottom-left corner of the strike zone. The umpire called a strike, putting Rivas out — until Rivas tapped his helmet twice. That gesture activated an Automatic Ball-Strike, or ABS, challenge to review the pitch, which must be triggered within seconds of the ball being caught.  All eyes turned to the big screen to watch an animation of the pitch. It showed, empirically, that the ball did nick the corner of the strike zone, confirming that the umpire had made the correct call, much to the groaning disappointment of the crowd. ABS is the product of a joint collaboration between Major League Baseball and T-Mobile. The technology got called up to the majors this season after more than 7,000 games of …

UK health secretary Wes Streeting resigns and is expected to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership

UK health secretary Wes Streeting resigns and is expected to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership

Published by Sam Flores

In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under renewed pressure after his Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned today and is expected to launch a leadership bid. Former Deputy leader Angela Raynor might also announce a bid for the leadership today after she announced that she has been cleared in a probe into her tax affairs. Starmer says he will not resign and is likely to fight any leadership challenges. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in London, Bénédicte Paviot. Keywords for this article Source link

Why a new Plaid Cymru government in Cardiff may pose a fresh challenge for Westminster

Why a new Plaid Cymru government in Cardiff may pose a fresh challenge for Westminster

Published by Sam Flores

After emerging as the largest party in the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) election, Plaid Cymru is now establishing itself as the next Welsh government. It’s the first administration not led by Welsh Labour since devolution began 27 years ago. For UK Labour, Plaid’s breakthrough could become one of the most significant constitutional and political challenges of the coming years. The clearest guide to Plaid’s immediate priorities is its “first 100 days” programme for government. This was published during its February 2026 conference. It includes calls for a new devolution bill to be passed in the UK parliament giving Wales the same devolved powers as Scotland and new funding arrangements for Wales. The party’s manifesto provides more detail on its package of constitutional demands. These include further powers over taxation, policing and justice, welfare, broadcasting, renewable energy, migration and the Crown Estate. During the election campaign, Plaid deliberately played down its longer-term goal of Welsh independence in an effort to broaden its appeal beyond pro-independence voters. But now in government, the party will want to begin laying …

Wes Streeting Prepares To Resign As Contenders Eye Up Leadership Challenge

Wes Streeting Prepares To Resign As Contenders Eye Up Leadership Challenge

Published by Sam Flores

(Alamy) 3 min read4 hr Wes Streeting is set to leave government today, according to allies, and launch a campaign for Number 10 as the Labour Party plunges into civil war. Streeting, the health secretary, is scrambling to find the required 81 MPs to mount a leadership challenge against the prime minister. It will likely set off a three-way contest between Streeting, Keir Starmer and one of Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband or Andy Burnham – if the latter can find a seat and win a by-election. The health secretary is expected to resign this afternoon and plot the next steps to fight the Prime Minister. Streeting’s supporters have been praising his talents and urging Starmer to step aside and set out a timetable for his departure. Chris Curtis, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North, and a Streeting ally, said the health secretary was a “generational talent”. He added on Thursday morning that he would be announcing his preferred contender to replace the Prime Minister this afternoon. Meanwhile, a junior minister and Streeting ally …