#265 | Chrisman Frank; Future of Education, Synthesis School, Rural vs Urban Living
Apr 25, 2022
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Chrisman Frank, co-founder of Synthesis School, discusses changing education through complex games and simulations. They also talk about rural vs urban living, public education, how children should play, and social hierarchies.
Synthesis School challenges traditional education by using complex games and simulations to teach critical thinking.
The program focuses on problem-solving skills, encouraging teamwork and reflective discussions.
Synthesis School aims to strike a balance between rigorous learning and allowing children to engage in other activities, providing a personalized education that develops critical thinking skills.
Deep dives
Importance of preserving ancient wisdom
Religions are regarded as sources of ancient wisdom, acknowledging that certain aspects may be fallible due to human imperfection. However, completely discarding these traditions can hinder progress, as it takes time to uncover valuable solutions. The speaker emphasizes the need for a balance between questioning and conserving traditional knowledge.
Introduction to Synthesis School
The podcast episode introduces Chrisman Frank, who founded the Synthesis School, an innovative education program. Inspired by Elon Musk's dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, Synthesis School focuses on teaching problem-solving skills to children. Chrisman witnessed the engagement, complex conversations, and problem-solving abilities of children in the program, which motivated him to make this kind of education accessible to as many children as possible.
The Structure and Practice of Synthesis School
Synthesis School offers problem-solving classes in a game-like format, encouraging teamwork and critical thinking. Students are presented with open-ended problem-solving scenarios and given the freedom to figure them out without explicit instructions. Once the game ends, students engage in reflective discussions, sharing their insights and ideas. Teachers and teaching assistants provide guidance and facilitate Socratic discussions, fostering a competitive and collaborative learning environment.
Current Format and Future Expansion
At present, most students participate in Synthesis School for one hour per week, with plans to gradually increase the length and frequency of classes. The aim is to strike a balance between rigorous learning time and allowing children to engage in other activities, such as outdoor play and reading. The goal is to provide a personalized education that develops critical thinking skills while maintaining a healthy balance between academics and childhood experiences.
The Future of Education and Synthesis School's Role
Looking ahead, the speaker envisions a world where science, technology, and information technology continue to play crucial roles. Synthesis School aims to prepare students to navigate these fields, equipping them with problem-solving abilities and the ability to collaborate with technology. By offering accessible education for cognitive skill development, Synthesis School aspires to provide the best educational opportunities to millions of students.
Chrisman Frank is the co-founder of Synthesis school, a program designed to fundamentally change the way that society educates its children. It does this by challenging young critical thinkers through complex games and simulations. Chrisman and Vance also discuss rural vs urban living, the state of public education, how children should play and social hierarchies.
Learn more about Synthesis School: https://www.synthesis.is/ Follow Chrisman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrismanfrank
