Learning Unboxed

This week, we’re talking about diversity and inclusion as it relates to the STEM fields and how we can continue working towards a more inclusive industry. Dr. Jose Morey is an MD known as the first “intergalactic doctor.” He’s also a leader in technology and innovation, and the founder and CEO of Ad Astra Media, a STEAM edutainment company that provides role models and educational content to encourage more diversity in STEM and STEAM fields. We talk about Dr. Morey’s approach to media education, why it’s so important for kids to see themselves in the careers they pursue, and how this content is being integrated with the traditional education landscape.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:drjosemorey.comadastrasteammedia.comInstagram: @drintergalacticLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josé-morey-03942357Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Andrea Ferrero is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Pockets Change, a nonprofit that provides curriculum workshops and professional development to build financial literacy and resilience through Hip Hop pedagogy.If you’re not sure what that means, we dive into all of that and more in this episode, including the difficulties involved in teaching finances in school, understanding different personalities and their relationship to both learning and money, and where you can get started including this in your schools.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:pocketschange.comLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Michael W. Dennis is the Vice President of Legal, PMO, and Innovation for CAS. He earned his PhD in biochemistry from the Ohio State University, and JD from Capital University. In this episode, we discuss the advancement of individual communities on a global scale.CAS is looking to make science and data accessible across the globe, fueling innovation, curating information, and advancing scientific progress. We explore what it means to innovate at a community level, how CAS is contributing to that, and how you can take charge in your own area.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:cas.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-dennis-b262165Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

As always on this podcast, we’re excited to have conversations about innovative opportunities for students, for schools, and in this case, for professionals as well. In this episode, we cover a new program called Mentor Ship.Joining the conversation is Rania Ajami, an award-winning filmmaker and founder of several successful entities and organizations centered around creating modern programming for students. With Rania is Angelica Estevez, an attorney and legal counsel.Mentor Ship is an interactive learning platform that connects children with experts from around the world, bringing together changemakers and thought leaders in the areas of survival skills, climate change, space, artificial intelligence, archeology, health and wellbeing, arts, and more.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:mentor-ship.tvLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rania-ajami-7457452Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

We know that the traditional education system doesn’t work for most people, but rarely do people set out to come up with solutions on their own. We talk to Vivian Shen, the founder of Juni Learning, about what subjects give students the most value throughout their lives, how Juni is doing things differently from the traditional school system, and how to prepare kids for the real world.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:junilearning.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vivianmshenLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we take another field trip, this time, to the New Albany Intermediate School. Our guide is Pete Barnes, a twenty-five year veteran of education with eighteen of those spent serving young people in New Albany schools. He shares his fresh take on curriculum work involving pollinator gardens, outdoor education, and environmental science – and why it makes such a big difference for kids.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:New Albany Intermediate SchoolLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Communion is an aspect of education that we rarely discuss, but it can have a tremendous impact on students’ personal outlooks and futures. Christopher Travers is a scholar, minister, writer, speaker, and curator of communion. Anchored in an ethic of love, his work explores the intersection of spirituality, race, and gender among Black men. Joining him is Derrick Tillman-Kelly, who serves as the Chief of Staff to the Dean of The Ohio State University College of Engineering. In this episode, we have a conversation that allows us to think critically, to think deeply, to think about community and what it means to be a part of one.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:communioncollective.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopher-travers-97865236LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/derricktillmankellyLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Dan McClure draws on over thirty years of experience in order to, in his words “choreograph ambitious, messy change”. Now, he’s turning his attention to the education landscape, with a focus on which pieces are and aren’t relevant to make the whole thing run as efficiently as possible.If you haven’t noticed, a lot has changed since our current education system was built. But, there aren't many ways in which it’s been updated to match the times. It can be very difficult to get people to embrace change, especially when civic funding is at stake, but that’s exactly what Dan’s work is all about.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:ThoughtworksDan McClure on LinkedInLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Many people shy away from talking about middle school, but it’s an important topic. Middle school is often where we make or break a kid’s future – and there is so much opportunity and potential during middle school to shape them for the rest of their lives.Andrew Ravin and Denise Daniels join us to discuss what Workshop Middle School does differently and how they’re rethinking the structure of the classroom, from starting later in the day to organizing smaller class sizes. Getting things right for kids at this transitional period in life is so important. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:workshopmiddleschool.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewravinLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/denise-daniels-5006a611bLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Mara Mintzer from Growing Up Boulder gives us the scoop on their youth-friendly city initiative, a program established to include the voices of children in the decisions of local government, focusing on things such as public spaces, transit, and housing. If kids are going to be affected by these decisions, doesn’t it make sense to at least hear what they have to say? Involving children – especially those from underrepresented backgrounds – sheds a whole new light on aspects of city and social planning that would otherwise go unnoticed. It also gives them a glimpse of what it looks like to make a true and tangible impact on the world, with the hope that the experience inspires them both professionally and personally down the line.Growing Up Boulder is now working alongside UNICEF USA to inspire and educate children through unique projects their students are sure to remember for the rest of their lives.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:Growing Up BoulderMara’s TED TalkMara on LinkedInLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio