75: Kindergarten Calculus

Star Trek Philosophy of Education.   An advanced future civilization such as the United Federation of Planets would surely have an equally advanced educational system. After all, we are told in Star Trek: The Next Generation that 24th century schoolchildren learn calculus in grade school aboard the Enterprise! But other than an accelerated math curriculum, what are the defining characteristics of the educational system and the philosophy of education within in the Star Trek universe?   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss 24th century philosophy of education. From Wesley Crusher's Starfleet Academy entrance exam and future educational technology, to issues of multiculturalism and pluralism in education aboard Deep Space Nine, Zachary and Mike go back to school for a refresher course on all things education in the Star Trek universe.   Be sure to listen carefully! There will be a quiz afterward, proctored of course by Quark's alternate-timeline schoolteacher avatar from the Deep Space Nine episode "Children of Time"!   Chapters  Intro (00:01:20)  Education Improves Over Time (00:05:32)  The Role of Technology in Education (00:07:42)  Starfleet Academy vs. Civilian Education (00:10:13)  "Samaritan Snare" - Specialization vs. General Education (00:13:10)  24th Century Life-Hacking - The Meaning of Life Won't Be on the Exam (00:17:10)  Scrubbing Plasma Conduits - Work Ethic, Dirty Jobs, and Intrinsic/Extrinsic Rewards (00:21:27)  Setting a High Bar and Taking Ownership (00:33:18)  Educational Simulations and Learning by Doing - Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher (00:37:33)  Competing Worldviews and Multicultural Education on Deep Space Nine (00:44:59)  Star Trek EdTech (01:01:12)  Like Magic - Educational and Technological Utopianism (01:12:08)  24th Century Homeschooling - Educational Introverts and Extroverts (01:14:29)  Final Thoughts (01:22:43)  Closing (01:34:00)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)