Learning Unboxed

Today, we're honored to have Nick Salmon, founder and president of the Collaborative Learning Network, join us as we discuss the topic of extreme innovation in the education space. As a ninth-generation educator and self-certified 'educational furniture whisperer,' Nick is deeply committed to positively influencing the lives of 1.6 billion young people worldwide.

Together, we'll delve into the heart of innovation in education, challenging traditional concepts of school and why they matter. From the dynamics of teachers working in pairs or small groups to a complete revamp of how we perceive the school day, Nick offers fresh insights and ideas that have the potential to transform the way we approach teaching and learning.

Join us as we navigate through compelling topics such as the significance of personal transformative learning experiences, the power of collaboration in projects, and unique methods to promote deep learning. We wrap up with a conversation on overcoming the isolation many educators feel and forming supportive cohorts, offering a pathway for meaningful change. Don't miss out on this exciting journey into the realm of educational innovation!

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Ways we can revolutionize education without spending any money
• Getting educators to recognize different ways of doing things
• Giving students the chance to iterate endlessly
• Showing up and cultivating curiosity

Resources:

• Learn more at collaborativelearningnetwork.com
• Connect with Nick Salmon on LinkedIn

Produced by Nova Media

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Learning Unboxed" where we’re talking about zoo schools as transformative educational institutions.

We're joined by four distinguished guests from the world of zoo education and conservation: Chris Edelen, a career tech teacher at Cincinnati Public Schools' Hughes STEM School and a former zookeeper at the Cincinnati Zoo, brings in over two decades of experience in the zoo and education sectors; Trene't Schill, a proud 2018 Zoo Academy alumni and University of Cincinnati graduate, specialized in Horticultural Science; Rickey Kinley, a dedicated professional, who's led a career spanning 28 years at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and is currently the head keeper of the aviculture department; finally, we have Nhy'Aire Dunn-North, an ambitious senior at the Zoo Academy, who aspires to make a difference in the zoo conservation space, particularly in the African and elephant exhibits.

Tune in to learn how specialized programs like the Zoo Academy can contribute to the personal and professional development of students, even in areas where such programs don't exist. Our guests discuss how to encourage students toward these unique opportunities, the importance of developing soft skills, and the practical application of animal training techniques in human interactions.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• What the Cincinnati Zoo Academy is all about
• How Hughes STEM School began working with the Zoo Academy
• The cross-disciplinary skills students can learn at Zoo Academy

Resources:

• Learn more at cincinnatizoo.org/education/the-zoo-academy
• Hughes STEM High School

Produced by Nova Media

Welcome to another episode of Learning Unboxed, where we dive into the innovative and transformative world of education. Today, we're thrilled to have Catherine Gray, the founder of Na'atik School in Mexico. Na'atik is an intercultural school that has been disrupting traditional education models by blending local and foreign learning experiences for over 12 years.

In this episode, Catherine discusses the evolution and mission of Na'atik, an institution that provides subsidized English classes to local and indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto Mexico while also offering language and cultural immersion experiences for foreign students. She shares her journey of growing Na'atik into an intercultural hub, granting scholarships to local students and inviting foreign students to learn Mexican Spanish and Yucatec Maya.

We delve into the power and importance of authentic intercultural interactions, how they can revolutionize traditional education systems, and their role in providing immersive, free-form, and free-flowing learning experiences. Catherine takes us through the unique dynamics of immersive learning at Na'atik, where adults from around the world are often taught by children, thus fostering a bi-directional learning environment.

Join us for this enlightening conversation to understand how learning experiences can be enriched through intercultural immersion and how such models can positively disrupt traditional views on education.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Catherine's journey as the founder of Na'atik School in Mexico
• The unique intercultural model of Na'atik School
• The importance of authentic intercultural interactions in education
• The role of immersive, free-form, and free-flowing learning experiences at Na'atik School
• The unique dynamics of immersive learning where adults are often taught by children
• Challenges faced by Catherine in her journey, including economic difficulties and gaining community trust
• The role of authenticity, trust, and respect for local culture in education

Resources:

• Learn more at naatikmexico.org
• Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn

Produced by Nova Media

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of student agency and autonomy in education. Our guest is Mike Nicholson, principal of Learning Inspired Ed, a forward-thinking education consultancy agency dedicated to supporting the development of student agency across school districts.

Mike shares his passion for moving from a compliance-based education system to one where students have the freedom to make decisions about their learning. We dive into the "55 perspectives" he has developed for teachers to transform their classrooms, including the idea of shadowing a student for an entire day to gain a visceral understanding of their experience. Mike also offers a practical tip for teachers who want to introduce student autonomy in their classrooms but may not be able to do so on a larger scale.

Join us for an insightful conversation on the power of student agency and how to implement it in your classroom. Reach out to Mike at Learning Inspired Ed for resources and support on this transformative journey.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Defining student agency and autonomy
• The 55 perspectives of giving kids control and autonomy over their learning
• How minimizing educational hierarchy can allow autonomy to flourish
• The student autonomy breakdown

Resources:

• Learn more at learninspired.org
• Follow Mike Nicholson on Twitter: @mnicholson_mike

Produced by Nova Media

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're exploring the innovative world of self-directed learning with April Huard, the Executive Director of Clonlara School, a K-12 institution that empowers students to take charge of their own education. Starting as a small homeschooling collective, Clonlara School has expanded to multiple campuses across the United States with a mission to transform education on a global scale.

April shares insights on the self-directed learning model, which allows students to choose their projects and follow their interests while being supported by facilitators who guide them through the learning process. She also addresses the challenges they face, such as misconceptions about self-directed learning and scaling their model to include more students.

One of the core values of Clonlara School is joy, and April talks about the immense joy she finds in her work, witnessing students discovering their passions and families expressing gratitude for the transformations they've seen in their children. The school requires senior students to complete a capstone project, showcasing their diverse interests and talents. Join us in this inspiring conversation to learn more about the importance of giving students the time, space, and freedom to follow their interests and pursue what is important to them.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How Clonlara offers multiple ways for participating in its education system
• The “full circle learning” approach to education
• Giving kids ownership of their education
• Training educators to empower kids

Resources:

• Learn more at clonlara.org

Produced by Nova Media

We're diving into the fascinating realm of global citizenship through the lens of a fantastic program called World Savvy. Our esteemed guests are Dana Mortenson, co-founder and CEO of World Savvy, a national education nonprofit working to educate and engage youth as responsible global citizens, and KK Neimann, World Savvy's Director of Professional Learning, with an impressive 20 years of teaching experience in social studies across fifth to 12th grades.

We explore the changing landscape of education and the pivotal role of World Savvy in fostering global competence among K-12 students and teachers. We discuss the importance of integrating global competence into education, preparing students for an interconnected and rapidly changing world. World Savvy's approach champions project-based learning, empowering students to tackle real-world issues while honing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Join us as we underscore the importance of global competence and adapting to change to better prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Cultivating global competency in K-12 education
• Creating a future-proof model of education
• Getting everyone in the school community to work together

Resources:

• Learn more at worldsavvy.org
• Connect with Dana on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dana-mortenson-a691893
• Connect with KK on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kk-neimann-2875144

Produced by Nova Media

Welcome to today's episode of Learning Unboxed! In this episode, we're excited to have an incredible conversation with our guest, Michael Stone, from the Public Education Foundation, based in Tennessee. Michael has an impressive career journey, including being an Albert Einstein Educator Fellow with the National Science Foundation and spending 10 years as a high school mathematics and computer science teacher. In his current role, he's led the development of the largest school-based Fab Lab network in the world through the Volkswagen e-Lab.

We dive deep into the impact of maker spaces and fabrication spaces on education, emphasizing the importance of teaching essential skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. We explore the opportunities for meaningful learning in schools through Fab Labs and discuss the importance of tracking essential skills and technical proficiencies in student learning.

Michael shares his insights on an app called Fabfolio, designed to track these skills. He also recounts a story of how a history teacher incorporated a project involving a 3D printer, leading to an epiphany for two students who had never seen themselves in the lab before.

Join us to learn more about the importance of tracking data to refine educational models and make more informed choices as we scale across the country and the world. Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation, and be sure to reach out to Michael if you're inspired by his work. Check out the Fab Labs website and Fabfolio app for further exploration.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The transformative role of Fab Labs in education and skill development
• Addressing the future workforce needs through essential skills and hands-on learning experiences
• The Fabfolio app: tracking student skills and refining educational models

Resources:

• Visit fablabs.io for more information
• Connect with Michael Stone on LinkedIn

Produced by Nova Media

Dr. Trevor Soponis is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Sustainable Learning Projects, a lifelong education professional with experience in leading transformative education projects. The purpose of The Sustainable Learning Projects is to provide students with meaningful work that is relevant to their lives and to provide teachers with the curriculum and support they need to make their lives easier. He is focused on having students, teachers, and schools tackle meaningful real-world problems. We talk about the projects that he has worked on, how programs like this can scale, and how a part of their program, Project Student Voice, allows students to customize their curriculum around their passions.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why the Sustainable Learning Projects exist and what they do
• Creating models for programs that work and scaling them
• Project Student Voice and providing opportunities for students to share their voice

Resources:

• Learn more at thesustainablelearningprojects.com
• Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevor-soponis-phd

Produced by Nova Media

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're diving into the exciting world of STEM Games with Josip Torić, the Director of Sports at STEM Games. STEM Games is an international competition that allows students to showcase their knowledge, athletic abilities, and gaming skills across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Josip Torić, who has been instrumental in the growth of STEM Games in Croatia, will be sharing his insights into the competition's success and the benefits it provides for students. We'll be discussing the different arenas of the competition, including the knowledge, sports, and esports components, and the innovative tasks that students tackle in each.

Join us to learn more about how STEM Games encourages creative problem-solving and provides a powerful networking opportunity for STEM students.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Solving real world problems through STEM Games and focused hackathons
• What students can learn from the eSports arena
• The qualities that make a student succeed at STEM problem-solving
• Crafting the right challenges for optimal learning

Resources:

• Learn more at stemgames.hr
• Connect with Josip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josiptoric

Produced by Nova Media

Today's episode is a special takeover, hosted by Ibrahim Aly, a Metro High School junior participant in the PAST Foundation's Workforce Development Program. Ibrahim previously joined us on episode 165 to talk about using internships to encourage STEM careers, and we're thrilled to have him back to lead the conversation about fusion splicing.

A panel of experts will join Ibrahim to discuss this exciting field. Pat Stichter, the hyper-scale trainer from Sumitomo, brings years of experience in the industry. Quin Jernigan, the economic workforce development manager from Amazon Web Services, will discuss the career opportunities available in this field and the skills needed to succeed. Wesley Olinger, the division manager from Team Fishel, will share his perspective on the importance of workforce development and training in this industry. Together, this panel will provide a comprehensive overview of fusion splicing and its potential as a career path. Join us as we learn more about this fascinating field and what it takes to succeed in it.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• What fusion splicing is and what it has to do with Amazon’s data centers
• What skills are essential to success in the fusion splicing industry
• The things students can do today to get ready to enter this field

Resources:

• Learn more about Sumitomo: sumitomocorp.com
• Connect with Quin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/quin-jernigan-phd
• Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wesley-olinger-b9097210a
• 165. Using Internships to Spur Interest in STEM Careers with Nikki Stancampiano

Produced by Nova Media