Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what’s next.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. Taming school anxiety

2. Going beyond the rigid math lessons

3. How we encourage boys and girls in school differs

Education's Secret Innovation Lab Is Now Taking Listeners

Ever wondered how education breakthroughs are born? Pitch Playground podcast gives you the backstage pass.

Each week, you'll witness what happens when ambitious education entrepreneurs:

• Pitch their ideas for a $50,000 prize

• Workshop their concepts through critical feedback

• Refine their solutions to education's most pressing challenges

It's the raw, unfiltered process of innovation that's normally hidden behind closed doors.

Peek behind the curtain → and hear education's next big idea before it makes headlines.

Classroom Jitters: Taming Student Anxiety, One Breath at a Time

School can be stressful. From pop quizzes to presentations, anxiety can be a major roadblock for students. But what if educators had simple, everyday tools to help kids navigate these feelings?

Brent Henderson, a clinical assistant professor from William & Mary School of Education, says it's doable. Henderson, a former high school counselor, suggests that small, intentional actions can make a big difference.

The demand for simple, embeddable anti-anxiety tools is clear. Opportunity knocks for plug-and-play mindfulness modules teachers can easily integrate into lesson plans.

Digital check-in tools that discreetly flag students who might be struggling or confused, as well as project management apps designed for K-12, make task-chunking intuitive for students and teachers and could go a long way in reducing student anxiety.

"When Will I Ever Use This?" Math Class Finally Has Answers

Math instruction is stuck in a rut. “Procedural, boring and, in some cases, totally outdated," according to experts. It's no wonder students aren't motivated. The problem is especially bad in high schools, where teachers often create their own materials without proper training, and class sequences are rigid and disconnected from real life.

States are rethinking rigid math pathways to focus on skills that translate directly to better careers. For innovators, this creates a huge opportunity to develop math tools that answer the "when will I use this?" question on day one.

Mind the Gap: The Boy-Girl Encouragement Divide

New research shows we're encouraging boys and girls very differently, creating gaps that smart educators can bridge.

The numbers tell the story:

• 57% of adults say there's too little emphasis on encouraging boys to talk about feelings (vs. just 31% for girls)

• 43% say boys don't get enough encouragement to do well in school (vs. 27% for girls)

• Meanwhile, more adults say girls need more encouragement to stand up for themselves (41%) than boys (37%)

This perception gap creates a real opportunity to develop targeted programs that give every student what they need to succeed.

If you enjoyed this edition of Playground Post, please share it with your friends!

We’ll be back with another edition on Friday. See you then!

To stay up-to-date on all things education innovation, visit us at playgroundpost.com.