Learning Unboxed

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 by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

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 Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

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’ lives.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgResources:news.wosu.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amypalermoLearning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

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 MediaRecorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio