Learning Unboxed

As always on this podcast, we’re excited to have conversations about innovative opportunities for students, for schools, and in this case, for professionals as well. In this episode, we cover a new program called Mentor Ship.

Joining the conversation is Rania Ajami, an award-winning filmmaker and founder of several successful entities and organizations centered around creating modern programming for students. With Rania is Angelica Estevez, an attorney and legal counsel.

Mentor Ship is an interactive learning platform that connects children with experts from around the world, bringing together changemakers and thought leaders in the areas of survival skills, climate change, space, artificial intelligence, archeology, health and wellbeing, arts, and more.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• mentor-ship.tv
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rania-ajami-7457452

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

We know that the traditional education system doesn’t work for most people, but rarely do people set out to come up with solutions on their own. We talk to Vivian Shen, the founder of Juni Learning, about what subjects give students the most value throughout their lives, how Juni is doing things differently from the traditional school system, and how to prepare kids for the real world.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• junilearning.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vivianmshen

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we take another field trip, this time, to the New Albany Intermediate School. Our guide is Pete Barnes, a twenty-five year veteran of education with eighteen of those spent serving young people in New Albany schools. He shares his fresh take on curriculum work involving pollinator gardens, outdoor education, and environmental science – and why it makes such a big difference for kids.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• New Albany Intermediate School

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Communion is an aspect of education that we rarely discuss, but it can have a tremendous impact on students’ personal outlooks and futures. 

Christopher Travers is a scholar, minister, writer, speaker, and curator of communion. Anchored in an ethic of love, his work explores the intersection of spirituality, race, and gender among Black men. Joining him is Derrick Tillman-Kelly, who serves as the Chief of Staff to the Dean of The Ohio State University College of Engineering. 

In this episode, we have a conversation that allows us to think critically, to think deeply, to think about community and what it means to be a part of one.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• communioncollective.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopher-travers-97865236
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/derricktillmankelly

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Dan McClure draws on over thirty years of experience in order to, in his words “choreograph ambitious, messy change”. Now, he’s turning his attention to the education landscape, with a focus on which pieces are and aren’t relevant to make the whole thing run as efficiently as possible.

If you haven’t noticed, a lot has changed since our current education system was built. But, there aren't many ways in which it’s been updated to match the times. It can be very difficult to get people to embrace change, especially when civic funding is at stake, but that’s exactly what Dan’s work is all about.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• Thoughtworks
• Dan McClure on LinkedIn

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Many people shy away from talking about middle school, but it’s an important topic. Middle school is often where we make or break a kid’s future – and there is so much opportunity and potential during middle school to shape them for the rest of their lives.

Andrew Ravin and Denise Daniels join us to discuss what Workshop Middle School does differently and how they’re rethinking the structure of the classroom, from starting later in the day to organizing smaller class sizes. Getting things right for kids at this transitional period in life is so important. 

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• workshopmiddleschool.org
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewravin
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/denise-daniels-5006a611b

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Mara Mintzer from Growing Up Boulder gives us the scoop on their youth-friendly city initiative, a program established to include the voices of children in the decisions of local government, focusing on things such as public spaces, transit, and housing. 

If kids are going to be affected by these decisions, doesn’t it make sense to at least hear what they have to say? Involving children – especially those from underrepresented backgrounds – sheds a whole new light on aspects of city and social planning that would otherwise go unnoticed. 

It also gives them a glimpse of what it looks like to make a true and tangible impact on the world, with the hope that the experience inspires them both professionally and personally down the line.

Growing Up Boulder is now working alongside UNICEF USA to inspire and educate children through unique projects their students are sure to remember for the rest of their lives.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• Growing Up Boulder
• Mara’s TED Talk
• Mara on LinkedIn

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

In this episode, I connect with Jeneille Branen and Erin Corwine, the powerhouses behind the Palouse Prairie Charter School in Moscow, Idaho. As a credited EL institute, it’s exemplary in executing the EL Education philosophy (formally known as  Expeditionary Learning). 

We discuss what makes the Palouse community and curriculum unique, the intentionality behind their rigorous hiring process, integrating natural learning environments, and how they pivoted their practices during the pandemic. 

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• Website: palouseprairieschool.org

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Sal Gordon, the Head of Teaching and Learning at Green School Bali, is here to explain the mission statement and vision behind the school in Bali which has now grown into a global movement. 

Sal spent 12 years in formal education and, at the end of his journey, realized that all he’d really learned along the way was how to learn. That’s what inspired him to join Green School; it matched up with his unique view of what teaching can and should be.

We also get into how Green School Bali pivoted to keep moving during COVID, the ways that their model of education has helped students already, and its global expansion with other Green Schools in South Africa and Tulum.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• Green School
• Green School Bali
• Sal on LinkedIn

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

The Conrad Challenge has been inspiring students to collaborate and innovate for years as just one of the programs run by The Conrad Foundation. Its founder and chair, Nancy Conrad, joins us, as well as tech investor and Conrad alum, Ankesh Madan, for a discussion on how the challenge continues to benefit people around the globe.

A former teacher, Nancy is now a globally recognized leader in transformative education and a highly sought-after speaker. She established The Conrad Foundation to honor her husband, Pete Conrad, the third man to walk on the moon. 

Also joining us is Ankesh Madan. Ankesh is a self-described recovering materials engineer who made the transition to tech investor following his involvement in the 2010 Conrad Challenge. 

Together, they give us a full picture of how The Conrad Challenge is able to innovate, bring people together, and bring the best out of our children.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• The Conrad Challenge
• Nancy Conrad on LinkedIn
• Ankesh Madan on LinkedIn

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio