Quick Hits (1.30.13)

“Like trying to hold the ocean back with a pitchfork.” An Idaho state legislator is trying to mandate cursive writing lessons in elementary schools to save this dying form of correspondence, but also for other benefits, including enhanced cognitive development for students. And besides, he says, the typed word is “so sterile, so blah.” (Associated Press)

Fun fact: For the first time ever in Minnesota, there are more varsity robotics teams than there are boys’ varsity hockey teams throughout the state. Some robotics team members now get varsity letters, too. (The Star Tribune)

Even supercomputers have to go to college. You may remember Watson, the supercomputer that bested the world’s best “Jeopardy!” champions. It’s now off to college to brush up on its math and vocabulary skills (specifically, new or made-up words). (BetaBeat)

First order of business: Spell-check. A newly created state legislative subcommittee on education funding in Ohio won’t be posting this sign outside of its door. (StateImpact Ohio)