The project stemmed originally from a science and sociology project where students studied third world countries in dire need of fresh water and then the technology necessary to purify the water they do have. Teams of students selected countries and…
To a senior Superintendent of one of the best rated school systems in the state, it seemed strange to be talking with two business executives about the importance of exciting students about learning STEM. It begged the question of what…
Imagine being asked to do a very intense job that required you to teach students knowledge and skills while you have never been allowed to see how this intense knowledge and skills that you are being asked to teach is relevant…
Having spent most of my career developing new products and new ventures for consumer products companies, I can appreciate the Herculean effort required to put that lander on Mars. The effort required a team with a mastery of science, technology,…
The Career Academy teachers will spend this week touring many of the leading employers in the region. James Fitzgerald, the principal, believes that it is critically important for his faculty to have a strong visual image of the environments…
My good friend Mack McCary of NC New Schools Project shared a link to a TED talk by John Hunter. TED.com describes the talk: “John Hunter puts all the problems of the world on a 4′x5′ plywood board — and…
Engage the “customers” in the design and evaluation process James Fitzgerald, the new CEO of the Yadkin Valley Career Academy greeted his faculty as they arrived for their first official function. Mr. Fitzgerald promised his faculty a unique teaching experience,…
Dean Kamen, serial inventor and founder of FIRST Robotics, started FIRST with the mission of “tricking kids into loving science and math.” Kamen saw that our kids were not interested in majoring in science, technology, engineering and math fields. Kamen…
Project Base Learning is an amazing tool that literally flips the classroom. In an immersive environment, team teachers pose problems that span 4 courses (i.e. Engineering, Physics, Social Studies and Creative Writing). The teachers develop the problems so that the…
Creating Innovators is the title of Tony Wagner’s new book. After extensive interviews with over 150 well known CEOs, Tony Wagner makes a powerful case for the need to develop a climate and culture that promotes the development of problem…
