In this episode of Franklin UnlimitED, host Will Campbell is joined by Dr. Jennifer Gillett, Assessment Design Lead and Senior Curriculum Manager at the International Baccalaureate, and Chris Barnes, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Franklin School, for a deep conversation on why transdisciplinary learning matters in high school.

They unpack the differences between interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning, exploring how connecting knowledge across subjects helps students retain learning, reduce cognitive overload, and engage more meaningfully with complex real-world problems. Drawing on classroom examples, research, and lived school experience, the conversation highlights why relevance, application, and collaboration are critical drivers of adolescent learning.

The episode also examines how transdisciplinary approaches support rigor, assessment, and college readiness while fostering adaptability, ethical reasoning, and student agency. From curriculum design and scheduling to professional learning and school culture, Jenny and Chris share practical insights on how schools can move beyond isolated subjects toward learning that reflects how the world actually works.

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