Learning Unboxed

Elementary school students in the United States don’t typically focus much on science, but sparking that interest early can be a great opportunity to create a lifelong pursuit.Jessa Goldner is part of the PAST Foundation’s Student Experience Team. She’s been focusing the past six months on designing an environmental science program geared towards elementary students. She’s been building this program out at KIPP Columbus, a local school with an amazing outdoor space.She dives into the importance of teaching young children about the environment, how she gets them involved and interested in participating in something directly, and incorporating environmental education into every classroom.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:The PAST Foundation - KIPP Summer 2021 ProgramsLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

You’ve likely heard of safe spaces before. The problem is that, when having tough conversations, it may not always be possible to feel completely safe. That’s where the idea of brave spaces comes in – a space where people show up with good intent, but with the knowledge that mistakes will likely be made, and can be corrected as they happen. Creating brave spaces is critically important in what's happening in classrooms, schools, and communities today.Joining us to discuss brave spaces is Dr. Melissa Crum. She’s an artist, an author, a researcher, and the founder of Mosaic Education Network. She leads a consulting company that infuses the arts, research, storytelling, and critical thinking into professional development, community building, and curriculum development. We discuss why brave spaces are important, how coded messages in children’s media can have an impact on their perception of the world, and how to facilitate difficult conversations in the classroom.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResou

What happens when social enterprise meets education and opportunity? A whole lot of good.Nik Kafka is the Chief Executive and Founder of Teach A Man To Fish, a charity he founded after leaving a successful banking career. He discovered an innovative school in Paraguay that was aiming not only to teach the poor how to become rural entrepreneurs, but to do so as a self-financing enterprise. He helped transform the school and turn it into a replicable model which turned into Teach A Man To Fish.We hear all the time about what isn’t working in our education system – and yet there are examples of successful models out there in the world. We need to learn to capture what they are doing right and replicate them as possible in a variety of ways.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:teachamantofish.org.ukschoolenterprisechallenge.orgLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Apprenticeship is a classic mode of education that we have yet to tap into the full potential of in modern times. But there are organizations out there making the most of apprenticeship, and the benefits it can provide.Joining us to talk about apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and how these are taking place across the world are Rebecca DeMatteis and BJ Knutson of ApprenticeOhio.Rebecca is the program administrator at ApprenticeOhio and the Executive Secretary of The Ohio State Apprenticeship Council. She’s responsible for overseeing all aspects of the registered apprenticeship program for the state of Ohio. BJ Knutson is the Program Delivery Supervisor for ApprenticeOhio, who oversees the daily operations for Apprenticeship. We talk about who apprenticeship is for, and how it can benefit both industries and individuals.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:apprentice.ohio.govLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bjknutsonLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebecca-dematteis-1606a932Learning Unboxed is produced in par

How can we effectively, as a community, create STEM pipelines for our local businesses and industries? And how can we make sure that effort spreads well beyond the local community?Frederic Bertley is President and CEO of The Center of Science and Industry (or COSI as it’s known colloquially).Our current K-12 system is woefully inadequate at preparing children for the world they are growing into. Without a solid STEM background, we are not going to solve the massive problems of our future. We unbox how we can ensure children are going to get the education they need to set them – and our communities – up for success.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:cosi.orgTwitter: @FredericBertleyLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

When you think about learning, it’s important to remember that each classroom – or wherever the learning takes place – is made up of a number of individuals with different needs. A one-size-fits-all approach just won’t work. How does that play out when you are overseeing nearly two million students?Paolo DeMaria is Ohio’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. He’s a passionate leader, a tireless worker, and a respectful listener – and he also has a great sense of humor. He uses all of these skills on a regular basis as he supports Ohio’s 3,600 public schools and 1.7 million students.We talk about the bigger picture of how the education machine works, improving the school system to be more proactive than reactive, and creating partnerships based around mutual work towards a common goal.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paolo-demaria-a38b95113Paolo DeMaria, Ohio's Superintendent of Public Instruction | Ohio Department of EducationLearning Unboxed is produced in part

Colin McGinnis is the CEO of South Side Early Learning, a high-quality early learning school founded in 1922. He’s passionate about early education and ending the disparities that prevent young learners from accessing the education they need to develop a solid foundation. He’s also working to end low wages paid to the teachers who influence children’s success through life.When South Side and PAST had the opportunity to come together and rethink what education could look like, we developed a moonshot together of what the future of education could look like from a blank slate.We talk about what the future should look like, how to attract quality talent in early education, and the importance of starting early and continuing that education moving forward.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:southsidelearning.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colinmcginnisLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

We’re going to continue our ongoing conversation around entrepreneurship, social enterprise, and how the two relate to the education system.Joining us is Jerry Valentine, an active community member and volunteer in the Columbus, Ohio area. As part of his journey, he has completed community hackathons, startup accelerator programs such as Give Back Hack Columbus, and participated in SEA Change where he jump-started his business venture, Renter Mentor.Because of his participation in all of these spaces, he has a lot to bring to the discussion around the innovations happening in the startup world. We talk about how to take all of those innovations and turn them into amazing opportunities for students.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jerryv513rentermentor.netLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Steve Shapiro is a veteran educator of 32 years. He has taught sixth grade through graduate school, primarily as a high school teacher and school reformer.Our education system was built hundreds of years ago. To say the world has changed a lot since then is an understatement. More than just the adoption of computers in the classroom, there were no cars or even radios. And yet, very little about our educational structure has changed to prepare students for the world we are releasing them into. That’s what school reform is all about.It can be a loaded term for many people. If you’re a traditional teacher, the phrase “school reform” can even feel accusatory. We unbox what it actually means and explore why it has more to do with understanding the different ways that kids learn, the ways adults teach, and what the world needs from its education system.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:steventshapiro.comescco.org/MosaicHumanities-BasedEducationExperience.aspxLearning Unboxed is produced in part by C

Today we’re talking about the WOSU classroom. WOSU is a public media station that hosts everything from radio stations, to TV stations, to digital broadcasts, as well as, of course, classrooms. They take kids from birth to 12th grade, offering programs for kids, caregivers, families, teachers, and more. They offer a holistic learning experience with the goal of creating as many touch points as possible along the way.Amy Palermo is the chief of content for education at WOSU Public Media, where she leads a team of educators dedicated to helping children learn. She began her educational career in Texas, where she perfected the poetic application of “y’all” and developed a love of sweet tea.It’s easy to forget that, in addition to our traditional school-based learning, kids are engaging with content from a variety of sources and each of them play a role in educating them and their worldview. There’s so much opportunity in meeting them where they are and providing educational materials that integrate into kids’ li

Is traditional education about learning to be a successful, well-rounded human, or just about getting good at school itself?Doug Schachtel is the co-founder and Head of Community at Portfolio School, where they believe that making is the best form of learning. As they put it, “We don’t have a maker studio, we are a maker studio.” Their approach to learning enables students to set their own goals, problem-solve, and understand the reasons for the actions they take because children learn best when they’re invested in what they are trying to accomplish.Doug discusses what led to him founding his own school despite having no background in education, why that’s likely a good thing, and how building the future of teaching is one of the most important endeavors we can devote ourselves to.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:portfolio-school.comlinkedin.com/in/dougschachtelLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Lisa M. Chambers has more than 20 years of experience building cross-sector, strategic alliances and developing nationally and award recognized Computer Science and Information Technology programs for K12 classrooms. As the National Executive Director of TECH CORPS, she leverages the power of relationships and works across private, public, and corporate sectors to advance the mission of the organization. We talk about the role of technology in K12 education – both now and what we should expect (and plan for) in the future.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:techcorps.orglinkedin.com/in/lisamchambersLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Today, we go into detail on an innovative education program, NuVu Studio, a full time innovation school based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joining us is Saeed Arida, the Chief Excitement Officer at NuVu Studio, and three students at NuVu, Anara Magavi, 10th Grade, with a focus on design; Siena Jekel, 9th Grade, with a focus on film and innovation; and Luca Rudenstine, 12th grade, with a passion for storytelling through design and art as a tool for activism.While earning his Ph.D. in Architecture at MIT, Saeed studied the processes architects use to create their work. He wondered what would happen if we applied those same techniques to the education system, and, through his work with NuVu, he’s determined to find out.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:cambridge.nuvustudio.comlinkedin.com/in/saeed-arida-824122Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Rana Dajani is a worldwide advocate, and research scientist. She holds a PhD in molecular cell biology, has received many accolades and recognitions around the world, has participated in the Clinton Global Initiative, is on The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program from Jordan to the United States, and so much more. She is also the author of “Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible,” an exploration of the intersections between gender, race, religion, and science, told through the eyes of one of the world’s leading Muslim, women scientists. Every woman or educator deserves to read it. She’s seeking a paradigm shift in the fight against women’s oppression. She joins us to talk about her work, what influences her thinking, and the future of education.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:welovereading.orgscholar.harvard.edu/rdajaniInstagram: @wlreadingTwitter:@welovereadingTwitter: @Prof_RanaDajanifacebook.com/ProfessorRanaDajanifacebook.com/WLReadingLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorde

We’re continuing our conversation on the ideologies of progressive education and how to put them into practice. We’ve talked about the origins of the progressive education movement, the philosophy behind it, and why it works so well for students, families, communities, and teachers.Now we’re talking to two teachers who have been working in progressive education for a while. We dive into more of the details surrounding putting it into practice. Sarah Giles teaches in a two-three multi-age classroom at Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School. Tim O'Connor is a middle school mathematics teacher, currently at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago. He has many years of experience and has been involved in teaching math in grades six through 12 in England, Ireland, New Zealand, and the US. We talk about what these progressive schools are doing, how they keep their students engaged, and the barriers blocking progressive education from being introduced to more schools.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResource

We continue our conversation on digital transformation, this time focusing on growing startups and fostering entrepreneurship as a component of transformation.Jasmine De Gaia is currently the Executive Director of Transformation at JP Morgan Chase & Co. She has over 20 years of experience in building and leading innovative digital and agile organizations. She’s returning from being featured on the previous two components of this series. Joining her is Kristy Campbell, who leads operations for Rev1 Ventures, an investor startup studio that provides strategic services and capital to help startups scale and corporations innovate.The education system still has a very distinct divide between business and technology disciplines. We talk about breaking down the silos between them and embracing technology and innovation in the work that educators do.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:Read more: jpmorgan.com/insights/technology/digital-innovationlinkedin.com/in/jasminedegaialinkedin.com/in/campbellk

We continue our discussion of progressive education by exploring equality and justice. Joining us are three experts in the progressive education movement.Theresa Collins has 27 years of experience teaching high school English, she was past president of the Progressive Education Network, and she is now co-director of the National Institute of Progressive Education.Kavan Yee is the director of Middle School at Lowell School and has served in a variety of former roles, including middle school science teacher, science curriculum coordinator, director of middle school and student life.Chris Thinnes is a veteran, independent school-leader, an active collaborator with educators and activists from the public and private sectors, and an engaged public school parent.Together, they consider the role that progressive education will play in the future of our society, the value of making connections with students, and the responsibility that educators face in shaping the way forward.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Dr. Alvin Logan, Jr. is the Director of Education and Affiliate Curator of African Culture and Education at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture from Seattle, Washington. Dr. Logan has a track record of building support systems to catalyze learning from marginalized communities, from middle school to graduate school. His focus is on culturally relevant pedagogical approaches, decolonization, and multicultural curriculum development.The Burke Museum is the State of Washington's Natural History and Culture Museum. It has been around for 130 years and has deep roots in the community. It was founded by the wife of Thomas Burke, who collected native art and the stories that go with that — the good and bad. And it's now grown into a significant cornerstone for research, teaching, and community building. It has become a hub in the Northwest for learning about, teaching, and understanding natural culture and history.STEM typically has a Eurocentric or Western perspective. However, Alvin and the Bur

Outdoor science education is an essential part of any child’s education. It offers them a real, tangible reference point for their future coursework in science and technology. At the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) of the University of Idaho, educators and scientists work together to create diverse, inclusive communities of learners while asking challenging questions that transform their thinking.Leslie Dorsey is a former MOSS graduate student, field instructor, and AmeriCorps member. She has worked as a Naturalist at the Redfish Visitor Center, and more recently, as the Citizen Naturalist Coordinator at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for the Multi-species Baseline Initiative.Carmen DeLeon is an experienced science educator, wildlife conservationist, and STEM education specialist. She has over 12 years of experience in volunteer management, inquiry-based education, and animal biology at environmental non-profits and museums.The conversation heads out into nature for a chat about outdoor science ed

We take the show on the road, so to speak, to Ireland, talking about innovations in education across the pond. Joining us are three industry experts to talk about the work being done there.Alice D’Arcy has been involved in STEAM Education Ltd. since it was founded in 2014 and now serves as its Managing Director. She’s intimately involved in the development, delivery, and training of all STEAM programs, there.Elaine Higgins is a Materials Engineering Manager at DePuy Synthes. She leads a technical virtual team involved in engineering and 3D printing.Mark King is an educator with 19 years of experience working with children in learning environments, presently at the O’Connell Primary School in Dublin.All three are doing amazing things in the education space, and we’re glad to have them on the show to share their collective approach, findings, and outlook.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:steam-ed.ielinkedin.com/in/alice-d-arcy-31ba8a16linkedin.com/in/elaine-higgins-777390196Learning Unboxed is p