In this episode, Gina sits down with Bullitt East educators Trevor Swearingen and Fay Anderson to explore two powerful student projects that honored the history and legacy of the Bowman Valley School. Trevor shares how his Multicultural Club students used poetry, painting, and storytelling to illuminate the resilience of former Bowman Valley students—including members of his own family. Their work became a moving tribute to identity, perseverance, and the lived experiences of generations who came before them.

Fay then takes us inside her $20,000 Impact Challenge, where business and marketing students stepped into the role of real-world consultants. Through historical research, community engagement, and digital marketing design, students developed proposals for how a $20,000 donation could be used to preserve the Bowman Valley legacy. Along the way, they built confidence, strengthened their communication skills, and discovered the power of using their voices to influence meaningful change.

Together, Trevor and Fay reflect on student agency, cultural relevance, and the transformative impact of connecting local history to authentic learning. Their stories highlight what becomes possible when students are invited to engage with the past, honor their community, and create work that matters.

To learn more about this project, check out my post, Stories From the Field: Seedling #4.

If you are a Bullitt County educator who would like to bring a project like this to your classroom, explore the Seed Starter: Seedling #4 on the Authentic Learning Connection website.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gweber.substack.com

In this episode, Gina chats with Julie McNeese from BVLA, as she shares how her students brought the Blooming Innovations podcast to life. Julie talks about the power of student-led learning and how her students, taking on roles as consultants, designed every aspect of the podcast, from the branding to the audio elements. With guidance from Gina and the support of Mike Paul and Christi Turbeville, the students developed the podcast’s look, music, and content, creating a fully authentic project that reflected real-world skills. Tune in to hear how choice, collaboration, and creativity fueled this incredible learning experience!

To learn more about this project, check out my post, Stories From the Field: Seedling #3.

If you are a Bullitt County Educator who would like to do a project like this with your students, check out the Seed Starter: Seedling #3 on the Authentic Learning Connection Website.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gweber.substack.com

In this episode, Gina chats with Payton Coogle from BAMS as she is interviewed by Aatash and Moni, the cofounders of Inkwire, about how their AI Project Design Tool is transforming project-based learning. Payton shares how this powerful tool helped her streamline the design of an engaging and rigorous student-driven inquiry. After diving into the power of AI-assisted planning, Payton then takes us inside her classroom to explore the Molecular Genetics Research Poster Project—where students became real-world genetic researchers, analyzing DNA mutations, interpreting medical journals, and presenting their findings with confidence. Listen in to hear how technology, curiosity, and hands-on research combined to create an unforgettable learning experience. It’s a story of innovation, discovery, and the power of authentic learning!

To learn more about this project, check out my post, Stories From the Field: Seedling #2.

If you are a Bullitt County Educator who would like to do a project like this with your students, check out the Seed Starter: Seedling #2 on the Authentic Learning Connection Website.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gweber.substack.com

In this episode, Gina chats with Amy Ferrell from Nichols Elementary about a project inspired by "The Wild Robot!" Her 4th graders spotted a problem on their playground and turned into playground designers, fueled by empathy and innovation. Listen in to hear how these amazing kids are making their school a more inclusive place, one swing at a time! It's a story that'll warm your heart and spark your own ideas!

To learn more about this project, check out my post, Stories From the Field: Seedling #1.

If you are a Bullitt County Educator who would like to do a project like this with your students, check out the Seed Starter: Seedling #1 on the Authentic Learning Connection Website.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gweber.substack.com

Welcome to the BCPS Blooming Innovation Podcast! In this inaugural episode, host Gina Weber, the Authentic Learning and Graduate Profile Instructional Coach for Bullitt County Public Schools, introduces the Seedling to Summit initiative—a framework designed to highlight and celebrate innovative teaching practices across BCPS.

Gina shares the inspiration behind this podcast and explores the three key components of Project Seedlings:

* 🎙 Blooming Innovation Podcast – Conversations with educators about their transformative classroom experiences.

* 📖 Stories from the Field – A blog series that takes a deeper dive into innovative projects and their impact.

* 📝 Seed Starters – Teacher-created project blueprints designed to bring authentic learning to life.

Throughout this episode, you’ll learn how this initiative fosters a collaborative learning community, highlights student-centered innovation, and provides educators with inspiration, resources, and practical strategies to cultivate their own authentic learning experiences.

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes featuring the voices of BCPS educators and students who are shaping the future of learning!

🔗 Explore more at the Authentic Learning Connection Website.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gweber.substack.com