Front Page

April 21, 2023 0

Tuition Free Community College Plan Breaks down Barriers to Education and Dreams

“Costs should not be a barrier to higher education.” tweeted Mayor Michelle Wu. “Boston’s Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan, including our new pilot partnership with @MassArt, will continue to help more residents afford, attend & complete college.” Hope is on the rise for those seeking free higher education in Boston. Mayor Michelle Wu announced the expansion of free tuition at six Massachusetts community colleges and the broadening of eligibility to include all Boston residents regardless of income, age, or immigration […]

April 8, 2023 0

Preparing for Nationals: Interview with Massachusetts Spelling Bee Champ Tanoshi Inomata and Coach Aaron Noll

by Christopher John Stephens

The 85th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee will be held on May 28, 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland. Ten year old Tanoshi Inomata, from Allston’s Winship School, will be among the 278 spellers competitors. Tanoshi has the opportunity to be only the second Massachusetts resident in 80 years to bring home the trophy. Sampan had the pleasure of speaking separately with Tanoshi and Aaron Noll, Winship’s librarian and Spelling Bee coordinator. What follows are edited transcripts of our email conversations. […]

April 8, 2023 0

Three Thinkers Who Challenge the Apocalyptic Tone of the on Climate Change Discourse

by Chetanprett Singh

The issue of climate change is a complex and multifaceted one that requires a nuanced and comprehensive approach. While there is broad scientific consensus on the reality and severity of climate change, there are also concerns about the effectiveness and equity of current solutions, the role of natural variability, and the influence of political and economic interests. Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, Dr. Judith Curry, and Dr. Bjorn Lomborg offer alternative viewpoints that challenge the mainstream narrative and highlight the complexity […]

April 8, 2023 0

Dr. Ritu Raman: Immigrant at the Forefront of Building Machines with Biology

by Kristen Si

Dr. Ritu Raman is passionate about promoting the diversification of STEM fields. As an immigrant from India who earned her citizenship half a decade ago, Dr. Raman embodies the essence of what it means to truly embrace the power of possibility. Her story is textbook immigrant success: “You come to the United States and dream of anything you want.” For Dr. Raman, this included writing children’s novels, becoming the captain of the Indian national cricket team, and joining the priesthood. […]

April 8, 2023 0

Fire Safety Event Offers Alarm Installation, Seeks Chinese-Speaking Volunteers

by Sampan Staff

The Red Cross of Massachusetts is sounding the alarm on fire safety later this month — and seeking volunteers to help in its effort. The nonprofit will hold its “Sound the Alarm” event in Dorchester and Roxbury on Saturday, April 29, and offer free fire alarm installations and assistance. “Sound the Alarm” is part of a nationwide Red Cross effort to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires, says the group. Home fires are the […]

April 8, 2023 0

Independent Iranians of Boston Keeping Protests Alive for Regime Change in Homeland

by Kevin A. Mani

On a brisk Saturday afternoon, more than three dozen local Iranian Americans and their allies gathered in front of Trinity Church in Copley Square for another protest against atrocities committed by the Iranian government. Some draped themselves in the flag of the old Iranian government, symbolizing better times in their country, while others carried placards portraying victims who have been executed for peacefully protesting against the government’s human rights violations. “Zan. Zendegi. Azadi,’’ they shouted in Farsi, which translates to […]

April 7, 2023 0

Autism Rates Climb, Especially Among Black, Hispanic Populations, Says CDC

by Aili Liu

Autism Spectrum Disorder is for the first time more frequently diagnosed in Black and Hispanic children than in White children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the numbers may reveal better screening of those populations — and not necessarily a higher risk for the disorder, which can affect communication abilities, social skills and other areas of development. In the CDC’s report Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which studied 11 states across the U.S., […]

April 7, 2023 0

Combatting a Global Killer: What’s Next in the Fight Against Tuberculosis

by Bolin Shen

Tuberculosis (TB) has been responsible for killing more people than any other infectious disease throughout history. In the early 20th century and before the discovery of antibiotics, TB was essentially a death sentence with incredibly high mortality rates. Patients were quarantined in sanatoriums, where they were given fresh air, sunshine, and rest, but few survived. In 2021, 151 cases of TB were reported to, and verified by, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and in 2022, 153 cases were confirmed. […]

April 7, 2023 0

The Dilemma of Protecting Free Choice For All

by Sonia Cavazos

The American Library Association (ALA) has reported that book bans have hit a record high in 2022. According to APNews, 2,500 different books were objected to last year. There were 1,858 in 2021 and 566 in 2019. Rearing new generations to take on the world is the task of those that come before. And the books aid in this responsibility. They tell history, encourage growth, and spur conversations. However, views vary, oftentimes between educator and parent. The discussion about what […]

March 25, 2023 0

Heat Pumps vs Traditional Heating Systems: Is New England Ready to Discuss?

by Chetanprett Singh

New England is known for its cold and snowy winters and residents need a reliable heating source to keep their homes warm and comfortable. While traditional heating systems like gas boilers and furnaces are common in the region, an increasing number of homeowners are turning to heat pumps as an energy-efficient and cost-effective heating solution. The efficiency of a heat pump is measured by its coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of the heat output to the amount […]

404 Not Found