What is Scholarship?

Schooling in camp: Incarceration camps and the Japanese American school experience during World War II

Objective

This study aims to explore the school experiences of Japanese American children and teenagers who were incarcerated in camps during World War II following the issuance of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942.

Methods

The study examines video interviews available in Densho's online archive, focusing on the educational experiences of second-generation Japanese Americans who resumed their education in the camps.

Results

The analysis reveals that many interviewees reported positive experiences in camp schools, despite the poor conditions. A key factor contributing to these positive experiences was the dedication of teachers, who not only promoted academic success but also addressed the psychological and emotional needs of the incarcerated students.

Conclusion

While many interviewees highlighted the supportive role of teachers, the negative effects of incarceration on their school experiences cannot be overlooked, as a significant number recalled unpleasant aspects of their education in the camps. Moreover, the incarceration of Japanese Americans still has contemporary implications.

Developing Empathy Through Design Thinking in Elementary Art Education

Past research has suggested incorporating design thinking in upper elementary art education helps students develop what are known as the Four Cs: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. As an instructional strategy, design thinking focuses on empathy first and provides a structure for students to work through real-world, complex problems in small groups. This exploratory qualitative case study examined the effects of teaching empathy through design thinking in upper elementary art education. Eight teachers participated, representing public, private, charter, and independent school settings. Data included student observations, interviews, and journal reflections. An analysis of findings resulted in three conclusions: (a) design thinking can foster the development of empathy in preadolescents, (b) art education curricula at the upper elementary level can include design thinking, and (c) design thinking is a valid strategy for teaching empathy. Including empathy within art education promotes a classroom culture that is respectful and understanding of others, with students becoming advocates of justice, equity, and inclusion. As society continues to struggle with bullying, physical violence, and social unrest, teaching empathy has the potential to change how students relate to each other in the classroom, and, ultimately, in the world at large.

Association of vaping with respiratory symptoms in U.S. young adults: Nicotine, cannabis, and dual vaping

Introduction

Although studies have found nicotine and cannabis vaping to be individually associated with respiratory symptoms, little is known about the harm of dual vaping. We aim to assess the association of nicotine-only, cannabis-only, and dual vaping with respiratory symptoms.

Methods

Using a national sample of 8033 U.S. young adults (ages 18–24) interviewed in 2021, we employed multivariable logistic regressions to assess the association between vaping behaviors and past 12-month respiratory outcomes.

Results

Of all participants, 75.4 % did not vape, 15.0 % vaped nicotine only, 4.7 % vaped cannabis only, and 4.9 % vaped both. Compared with no vaping, nicotine-only vaping was associated with sounding wheezy (aPR = 1.75, 95 % CI, 1.28–2.39) and dry cough at night (aPR = 1.43, 95 % CI, 1.19–1.72). Cannabis-only vaping was also associated with these two symptoms, with aPRs at 1.82 (95 % CI, 1.15–2.88) and 1.61 (95 % CI, 1.18–2.21), respectively. In addition to these two symptoms (aPR = 2.24, 95 % CI, 1.42–3.54 for sounding wheezy, and aPR = 1.50, 95 % CI, 1.01–2.22 for dry cough at night), dual vaping was associated with wheezing or whistling (aPR = 1.93, 95 % CI, 1.23–3.04) and high level of respiratory symptoms (aPR = 2.02, 95 % CI, 1.24–3.32). Compared with non-frequent vaping, cannabis-only and dual frequent vaping were associated with higher risks of wheezing or whistling.

Conclusions

Nicotine-only and cannabis-only vaping were associated with two respiratory symptoms while dual vaping with four. The elevated respiratory risk of dual vaping warrants future research on the underlying mechanisms of different vaping behaviors and respiratory outcomes.