What if instead of pushing every high schooler into Algebra 2, we let them choose a math route that focused more on data science and computers? That’s what Chris Orban and the Math Pathways project are working to make happen in the state of Ohio.

On the show today, Chris describes how he’s helping increase access to computer science education for kids across the state through math course offerings. He walks us through what those courses can look like, including a project on the Nintendo64 Mario game.

Chris gives an excellent, deep-in-the-weeds perspective of what it takes to make this kind of systemic change.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How a course can serve as both a math class and a computer science class
• What systems change looks like from an in-the-weeds perspective
• How community members can be impactful in education policy change

Resources:

• Learn more about the Math Pathways project

Produced by NOVA

Kasondra Wilson was a first generation college student and now works at one of the top consulting firms in the world, Deloitte. She knows firsthand what boost students need in order to thrive in the professional environment. Kasondra is one of our industry partners here at the PAST foundation, and we’re thrilled to have her on the show today.

Kasondra walks our listeners through how to attract and retain industry partners in the education and youth development space. If you’ve been hesitant about reaching out to local industry partners for your own organization, you’ll definitely feel more confident after tuning in to this episode.

We are so proud of our partnership with Kasondra and Deloitte. Thank you to all our industry partners out there!

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How to look through an corporate org chart to identify potential partners
• What collaboration looks like between educators and industry professionals
• How industry partners can identify what they have to offer students

Resources:

• Learn more about Deloitte’s Skill-Based Volunteering

Produced by NOVA

Welcome back for the third episode of our four-part series all about our Portable Innovation Labs (PILs). Today, we have a conversation with two community partners who use PILs for their workforce development missions.

Iddrisu Seidu from Makerspace Central and Rich Granger from DriveOhio explain how they team up with our rocket-focused PIL. By using 3D-printing, the PIL allows children to immerse themselves in rocket science– yes, rocket science.

Aerospace and aviation are important industries in Ohio’s economy. Through the rocket-based PIL, we can build a more diverse and talented future workforce together.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why Makerspace Central and DriveOhio decided to use PILs
• How PILs increase diversity in STEM
• How PILs can be adjusted for different age groups

Resources:

• Listen to Episode 49. Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: The Role of Education in Smart Mobility & Infrastructure
• Access DriveOhio’s free Educator Toolkit
• Learn more at MakerspaceCentral.org
• Follow Makerspace Central on Instagram: @Makerspace.Central

Produced by NOVA

If assessments measured how a student is smart, not if a student is smart, our education system would be in a better place. That’s the future Sonn Sam and Big Picture Learning are building towards. And they already have examples of it working.

In this conversation, we do a deep dive into learner-centered assessment. We talk about the resistance to it, but also about where it’s finding support with families and businesses who care about the future workforce.

Learner-centered assessment demands change for the better. It’s a path toward more culturally relevant and locally derived education. And increasingly, it looks like the best path for the future.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Big Picture Learning’s trifecta model: semi-savvy student, semi-savvy advisor, and semi-savvy mentor
• What it means for assessment to be learner-centered
• The power of slowing down for authentic reflection

Resources:

• Listen to Episode 247. Learner-Centered Schools in Every State with Sonn Sam
• Learn more at BigPicture.org
• Learn more about the Aurora Institute

Produced by NOVA

Imagine if instead of having to cram for tests and sit through lessons, high schoolers could graduate by navigating six “passages” that prove their practical, creative, and logical skills. Fifty years ago in Jefferson County, Colorado, a group of parents and educators created a school just like that and it’s still thriving today. Melyssa Dominguez and Jenny Long from the Open School join us today to talk about their unique program.

Melyssa and Jenny describe the “Walkabout” high school program. They explain each of the six “passages” and show how the model is supported by an advisory system and authentic evaluation process.

Not only do Open School’s Walkabout graduates get eagerly accepted by colleges and universities, but the skills the students develop during their “passages” make them more likely to finish their diplomas than the national average.

Listen in to learn what aspects of “Walkabout” you can apply to your own learning environment.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The six “passages” Open School student must finish to graduate
• How the Open School does self-evaluation and transcripts
• The Open School’s advisory system

Resources:

• Learn more at jcos.jeffcopublicschools.org/curriculum/walkabout
• Read “To Create the World That Ought to Be: Memoirs of a Radical Educator” by Arnie Langberg

Produced by NOVA Media

When Jessica Fields carries a PAST Foundation Portable Innovation Lab (PILs) box into a school, kids’ eyes light up. They know they’re about to do something cool and fun. What they probably don’t realize is that they’re also going to be learning standard-aligned content that keeps them on-track with their curriculum. Jessica is a 21st Century Learning Coach for Grandview Heights Schools and she is our guest on the show today.

Jessica describes how PILs helps her schools jumpstart innovative education. Just one lab can help students come alive to learning and help teachers trust this approach to teaching. Multiple labs can build a culture of inquiry-based learning.

If you’re a teacher, school leader, after-school programmer, or workforce development specialist, take a listen to this episode and discover what PILs can do for your students.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How PILs help connect private partners with schools for workforce development
• Why starting the school year with a lab-based lesson can help build a collaborative classroom culture
• How PILs better connect families to their kid’s learning

Resources:

• Learn more about Portable Innovation Labs

Produced by NOVA Media

Microschools are positive disruptors of our modern education ecosystem. Today, CEO of Changemaker Microschools, David K. Richards, joins the show to help us dig a little deeper into the phenomenon.

We discuss the ingredients to starting and sustaining a microschool: finding the right teachers; navigating facility and funding options; and deeply engaging student families. We also talk about microschools’ position in the wider education ecosystem.

All signs point to the growth of microschooling, so tune in and see if this model might work for your community.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Recruiting and training teachers for self-directed learning models
• Family engagement in opening new microschools
• How microschools obtain funding

Resources:

• Learn more at DavidKRichards.com
• Check out MicroSchoolingCenter.org

Produced by NOVA Media

The most important part of a child’s education is developing a love of learning. That’s Amir Nathoo’s motto and what led him to co-found OutSchool. Amir joins the show today to talk about future-proofing education by allowing students to engage with what they are most interested in.

OutSchool is a marketplace for live online classes for K-12 learners. It has helped over a million students explore their interests with live online classes in nearly any subject you can think of: learning social skills through Minecraft, to gaming clubs, to learning veterinary topics.

As both parents and teachers are increasingly unhappy with the traditional education system, OutSchool hopes to act as a disruptive force to bring much needed change from outside the system. Tune in to hear Amir’s thoughts about the future workplace, technology, and happiness.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How to future-proof education
• Why developing a love of learning is the most important part of a child’s education
• Ways to address the teacher shortage

Resources:

• Learn more at OutSchool.com
• Follow OutSchool on Instagram: @outschool
• Check out OutSchool’s YouTube channel
• Connect with OutSchool on Facebook

Produced by NOVA Media