FATHER LIES BEST — Most parents teach their children not to lie. But according to a study published in “The Journal of Moral Education,” parents lie to their kids all the time. Researchers asked young adults whether their parents ever told them things like, “if you don’t hush up the police’ll come and get you,” or “that rainbow’s up there just for you.” About 88 percent of respondents said their parents had indeed filled their heads with such lies (or variants thereof). Yet nearly 80 percent of those same respondents had been taught that lying was bad. Even more worrisome? “Children are very good at reading faces and emotional cues,” says Andrew Garner of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Chances are, if you’re lying to them, they’re able to pick up on it.” (USA Today)

NOT ADDING UP — For years, education experts in the United States have been concerned that American kids are falling behind at math. For years, school districts and government programs have tried to correct those deficiencies. Is it working? Not lately. According to results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, neither fourth nor eighth graders have made any progress in improving math understanding since 2007, the last time the test was taken. That’s discouraging for educators, used to seeing gains in the discipline ever since the test was introduced in 1990. Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, calls the results “unacceptable,” and David Driscoll, chairman of the NAEP’s board, says the country may have to extend the school year and train math teachers more effectively before anyone can expect to see scores start going up again. “We have to take a leap,” he says. (Wall Street Journal)

NO MICKEY MOUSE RIDE — Walt Disney World has introduced a new virtual roller coaster. Nothing particularly noteworthy here, right? Well, except that the coaster allows its riders to design the ride themselves. “Sum of All Thrills,” a ride that utilizes a “giant robotic arm simulator,” according to the Associated Press, begins in a design room. Participants help choose the ride’s virtual speed and thrill-factor, utilizing inclines, loops and corkscrew turns. The ride’s plan is then saved on a card and transferred to the simulator, where visitors “ride” the ride they just created. It’s all in the name of science, according to “Thrills” sponsor Raytheon. “Our aim is to show kids how math and engineering make the things they really care about really come to life and happen,” says Raytheon’s Kristin Hilf. (Associated Press)