five months ago Sarah and I were in the basement of my home working on a puzzle
basement of my home working on a puzzle
basement of my home working on a puzzle the TEDx macatawa proposal was due at
the TEDx macatawa proposal was due at
the TEDx macatawa proposal was due at eleven fifty-nine p.m. it was 1130 we
eleven fifty-nine p.m. it was 1130 we
eleven fifty-nine p.m. it was 1130 we had 29 minutes to decide if we were
had 29 minutes to decide if we were
had 29 minutes to decide if we were going to submit anything at all and as
going to submit anything at all and as
going to submit anything at all and as we began to think more about submitting
we began to think more about submitting
we began to think more about submitting something we began to feel less and less
something we began to feel less and less
something we began to feel less and less qualified after all what have I done I
qualified after all what have I done I
qualified after all what have I done I haven’t started a business I haven’t
haven’t started a business I haven’t
haven’t started a business I haven’t written a book and I certainly don’t
written a book and I certainly don’t
written a book and I certainly don’t have a PhD in anything the reality is is
have a PhD in anything the reality is is
have a PhD in anything the reality is is that I’m a student and that’s been my
that I’m a student and that’s been my
that I’m a student and that’s been my story for the past 16 years while this
story for the past 16 years while this
story for the past 16 years while this may be the case for both of us our
may be the case for both of us our
may be the case for both of us our position is unique we’re graduating from
position is unique we’re graduating from
position is unique we’re graduating from high school this year and we have a
high school this year and we have a
high school this year and we have a chance to reflect on why after such an
chance to reflect on why after such an
chance to reflect on why after such an extensive education were left with an
extensive education were left with an
extensive education were left with an underwhelming sense of accomplishment
underwhelming sense of accomplishment
underwhelming sense of accomplishment now reflecting on our time thus far
now reflecting on our time thus far
now reflecting on our time thus far we’ve realized a very sad trend among
we’ve realized a very sad trend among
we’ve realized a very sad trend among our fellow seniors we realized that over
our fellow seniors we realized that over
our fellow seniors we realized that over time our kind of our passion has begun
time our kind of our passion has begun
time our kind of our passion has begun to dwindle so that flame that was
to dwindle so that flame that was
to dwindle so that flame that was initially there that spark in the
initially there that spark in the
initially there that spark in the students I when they began to learn
students I when they began to learn
students I when they began to learn about what a new topic was it’s begun to
about what a new topic was it’s begun to
about what a new topic was it’s begun to go out and we’ve been thinking about you
go out and we’ve been thinking about you
go out and we’ve been thinking about you know there’s obviously a lot of things
know there’s obviously a lot of things
know there’s obviously a lot of things that could contribute to that but we
that could contribute to that but we
that could contribute to that but we think that one of the biggest things
think that one of the biggest things
think that one of the biggest things that contributes that is that our high
that contributes that is that our high
that contributes that is that our high schools within the classroom we’re
schools within the classroom we’re
schools within the classroom we’re beginning to the lack direct purpose to
beginning to the lack direct purpose to
beginning to the lack direct purpose to life outside of the classroom but it has
life outside of the classroom but it has
life outside of the classroom but it has not always been this way one of the best
not always been this way one of the best
not always been this way one of the best examples of purposeful learning can be
examples of purposeful learning can be
examples of purposeful learning can be seen within a kindergarten classroom in
seen within a kindergarten classroom in
seen within a kindergarten classroom in kindergarten students they go to school
kindergarten students they go to school
kindergarten students they go to school and they learn about this crazy notion
and they learn about this crazy notion
and they learn about this crazy notion of red and blue and then they go home
of red and blue and then they go home
of red and blue and then they go home and they see red and blue all over the
and they see red and blue all over the
and they see red and blue all over the place at that point in time there
place at that point in time there
place at that point in time there education has direct purpose to life in
education has direct purpose to life in
education has direct purpose to life in high school this connection can become
high school this connection can become
high school this connection can become less visible on occasions we’ve asked
less visible on occasions we’ve asked
less visible on occasions we’ve asked some of our teachers where the
some of our teachers where the
some of our teachers where the information we’re learning would
information we’re learning would
information we’re learning would actually be applicable outside of a
actually be applicable outside of a
actually be applicable outside of a classroom whether they like that or not
classroom whether they like that or not
classroom whether they like that or not it goes something like this mr. Lowrey
it goes something like this mr. Lowrey
it goes something like this mr. Lowrey yes where would I use Newton’s theorem
yes where would I use Newton’s theorem
yes where would I use Newton’s theorem of calculus outside of this classroom
of calculus outside of this classroom
of calculus outside of this classroom yeah literally nowhere
yeah literally nowhere
yeah literally nowhere this this makes us feel great about our
this this makes us feel great about our
this this makes us feel great about our education of course and we just start to
education of course and we just start to
education of course and we just start to realize that what we’re learning doesn’t
realize that what we’re learning doesn’t
realize that what we’re learning doesn’t necessarily connect to what we’re going
necessarily connect to what we’re going
necessarily connect to what we’re going to be doing in the future it’s easy to
to be doing in the future it’s easy to
to be doing in the future it’s easy to blame your teachers for this but really
blame your teachers for this but really
blame your teachers for this but really it’s not their fault it’s the disconnect
it’s not their fault it’s the disconnect
it’s not their fault it’s the disconnect between what the educational system has
between what the educational system has
between what the educational system has been told that students need to learn
been told that students need to learn
been told that students need to learn and what we’re actually going to be
and what we’re actually going to be
and what we’re actually going to be using once we leave high school we’ve
using once we leave high school we’ve
using once we leave high school we’ve had trouble finding our own purpose
had trouble finding our own purpose
had trouble finding our own purpose through all of this now the theme of
through all of this now the theme of
through all of this now the theme of this conference is what’s next and for
this conference is what’s next and for
this conference is what’s next and for many of our local high school students
many of our local high school students
many of our local high school students what’s next entails college so for me
what’s next entails college so for me
what’s next entails college so for me I’m still in the midst of a long college
I’m still in the midst of a long college
I’m still in the midst of a long college application process but through that
application process but through that
application process but through that right from the get-go as a freshman when
right from the get-go as a freshman when
right from the get-go as a freshman when I was visiting different colleges I
I was visiting different colleges I
I was visiting different colleges I began to do what a lot of people have
began to do what a lot of people have
began to do what a lot of people have done for business so like when you’re
done for business so like when you’re
done for business so like when you’re applying for a job you want to tailor
applying for a job you want to tailor
applying for a job you want to tailor your resume so that it looks best to the
your resume so that it looks best to the
your resume so that it looks best to the employer now you never want to lie that
employer now you never want to lie that
employer now you never want to lie that will ng somewhere bad what you do is you
will ng somewhere bad what you do is you
will ng somewhere bad what you do is you bring out the qualities that your
bring out the qualities that your
bring out the qualities that your employer wants to see now the same thing
employer wants to see now the same thing
employer wants to see now the same thing happens for people that are applying to
happens for people that are applying to
happens for people that are applying to college and so that’s basically what i
college and so that’s basically what i
college and so that’s basically what i started doing right from the beginning
started doing right from the beginning
started doing right from the beginning of freshman year when i was looking at
of freshman year when i was looking at
of freshman year when i was looking at Kyle when I was looking at courses that
Kyle when I was looking at courses that
Kyle when I was looking at courses that I could take i was looking at ones that
I could take i was looking at ones that
I could take i was looking at ones that i was really really interested in but
i was really really interested in but
i was really really interested in but then I realized oh those don’t look
then I realized oh those don’t look
then I realized oh those don’t look impressive to these colleges so I passed
impressive to these colleges so I passed
impressive to these colleges so I passed those on and I would go with the ones
those on and I would go with the ones
those on and I would go with the ones that looked more impressive so for me in
that looked more impressive so for me in
that looked more impressive so for me in the process of trying to lock in my spot
the process of trying to lock in my spot
the process of trying to lock in my spot at a top-tier institution I completely
at a top-tier institution I completely
at a top-tier institution I completely gave up on the notion that education and
gave up on the notion that education and
gave up on the notion that education and it sounds so silly but I completely gave
it sounds so silly but I completely gave
it sounds so silly but I completely gave up on the notion that education could
up on the notion that education could
up on the notion that education could actually be for what I was interested in
actually be for what I was interested in
actually be for what I was interested in the whole application process changed
the whole application process changed
the whole application process changed what education should be which is a
what education should be which is a
what education should be which is a journey and it changed it into a race
journey and it changed it into a race
journey and it changed it into a race this is really what both of us did
this is really what both of us did
this is really what both of us did throughout high school excuse me as we
throughout high school excuse me as we
throughout high school excuse me as we were choosing what courses we were going
were choosing what courses we were going
were choosing what courses we were going to take we looked to advanced placement
to take we looked to advanced placement
to take we looked to advanced placement courses this is what we were told
courses this is what we were told
courses this is what we were told colleges wanted to see in high school
colleges wanted to see in high school
colleges wanted to see in high school students AP courses are more difficult
students AP courses are more difficult
students AP courses are more difficult there’s a lot more coursework and in
there’s a lot more coursework and in
there’s a lot more coursework and in theory they prove that you’re ready for
theory they prove that you’re ready for
theory they prove that you’re ready for the rigor of college now we have taken a
the rigor of college now we have taken a
the rigor of college now we have taken a lot of these classes has that been
lot of these classes has that been
lot of these classes has that been intellectually value but was sure but
intellectually value but was sure but
intellectually value but was sure but has that set us apart from every other
has that set us apart from every other
has that set us apart from every other high school student not really in 1956
high school student not really in 1956
high school student not really in 1956 when only around 2000 AP exams are being
when only around 2000 AP exams are being
when only around 2000 AP exams are being administered every year it was in your
administered every year it was in your
administered every year it was in your best
best
best interest as a high school student to
interest as a high school student to
interest as a high school student to take these courses but times have
take these courses but times have
take these courses but times have changed and in 2015 over 4 million AP
changed and in 2015 over 4 million AP
changed and in 2015 over 4 million AP exams were administered what once fueled
exams were administered what once fueled
exams were administered what once fueled competitivity has now made us appear
competitivity has now made us appear
competitivity has now made us appear mundane and it’s only going to get worse
mundane and it’s only going to get worse
mundane and it’s only going to get worse we map this out and by 2030 if this
we map this out and by 2030 if this
we map this out and by 2030 if this trend continues over 10 million AP
trend continues over 10 million AP
trend continues over 10 million AP courses will be taken that is crazy it
courses will be taken that is crazy it
courses will be taken that is crazy it totally destroys the notion of
totally destroys the notion of
totally destroys the notion of individuality within the school system
individuality within the school system
individuality within the school system and this story isn’t only ours this is a
and this story isn’t only ours this is a
and this story isn’t only ours this is a norm for many of our classmates the high
norm for many of our classmates the high
norm for many of our classmates the high school education system hasn’t caught up
school education system hasn’t caught up
school education system hasn’t caught up with the needs and expectations of
with the needs and expectations of
with the needs and expectations of students today but don’t worry there’s
students today but don’t worry there’s
students today but don’t worry there’s good news the solution is simple now for
good news the solution is simple now for
good news the solution is simple now for decades lansing in washington ave been
decades lansing in washington ave been
decades lansing in washington ave been in session and for decades we’ve
in session and for decades we’ve
in session and for decades we’ve honestly been at each other’s throats
honestly been at each other’s throats
honestly been at each other’s throats over whether the public or the private
over whether the public or the private
over whether the public or the private sector holds the solution to all these
sector holds the solution to all these
sector holds the solution to all these problems well ladies and gentlemen it’s
problems well ladies and gentlemen it’s
problems well ladies and gentlemen it’s been years and our education system is
been years and our education system is
been years and our education system is still relatively the same sure asset
still relatively the same sure asset
still relatively the same sure asset allocation sways from one side to the
allocation sways from one side to the
allocation sways from one side to the other and back again but what Sarah and
other and back again but what Sarah and
other and back again but what Sarah and I are here today to propose is let’s
I are here today to propose is let’s
I are here today to propose is let’s take a step back let’s take a breather
take a step back let’s take a breather
take a step back let’s take a breather and instead of reallocating this what to
and instead of reallocating this what to
and instead of reallocating this what to who that let’s let’s just embrace what
who that let’s let’s just embrace what
who that let’s let’s just embrace what we’ve already been given see Sarah and I
we’ve already been given see Sarah and I
we’ve already been given see Sarah and I believe that the solution to all these
believe that the solution to all these
believe that the solution to all these problems is as simple as a change in
problems is as simple as a change in
problems is as simple as a change in mindset in a reevaluation of what is
mindset in a reevaluation of what is
mindset in a reevaluation of what is currently in place so we’re sitting in
currently in place so we’re sitting in
currently in place so we’re sitting in the basement doing this puzzle trying to
the basement doing this puzzle trying to
the basement doing this puzzle trying to figure out what in the world we’re going
figure out what in the world we’re going
figure out what in the world we’re going to talk about today and we asked
to talk about today and we asked
to talk about today and we asked ourselves of our entire education what
ourselves of our entire education what
ourselves of our entire education what moments have had the most impact on us
moments have had the most impact on us
moments have had the most impact on us of the thousands of hours in the
of the thousands of hours in the
of the thousands of hours in the classroom which ones have actually
classroom which ones have actually
classroom which ones have actually stayed with us and that’s when we
stayed with us and that’s when we
stayed with us and that’s when we realized it’s relatively simple so all
realized it’s relatively simple so all
realized it’s relatively simple so all these problems the the AP test trend the
these problems the the AP test trend the
these problems the the AP test trend the lack of passion the disconnect in
lack of passion the disconnect in
lack of passion the disconnect in purpose and the overall
purpose and the overall
purpose and the overall disenfranchisement with the traditional
disenfranchisement with the traditional
disenfranchisement with the traditional system as a whole it could be solved by
system as a whole it could be solved by
system as a whole it could be solved by one simple course and the kicker is it
one simple course and the kicker is it
one simple course and the kicker is it already exists enter the independent
already exists enter the independent
already exists enter the independent study now if these two words on the
study now if these two words on the
study now if these two words on the screen are new to you guys then we have
screen are new to you guys then we have
screen are new to you guys then we have a problem because the independent study
a problem because the independent study
a problem because the independent study has been around for about as long as the
has been around for about as long as the
has been around for about as long as the education system has
education system has
education system has but at this point we either have our
but at this point we either have our
but at this point we either have our students not knowing what it is or
students not knowing what it is or
students not knowing what it is or they’re just not taking advantage of it
they’re just not taking advantage of it
they’re just not taking advantage of it so we figured that we’d like to really
so we figured that we’d like to really
so we figured that we’d like to really kind of go through the nit picky like
kind of go through the nit picky like
kind of go through the nit picky like the grittiness of what the independent
the grittiness of what the independent
the grittiness of what the independent study is we actually hired George
study is we actually hired George
study is we actually hired George Washington to help us out with this so
Washington to help us out with this so
Washington to help us out with this so on the Left we have independent showing
on the Left we have independent showing
on the Left we have independent showing a desire for freedom on the right we
a desire for freedom on the right we
a desire for freedom on the right we have study the activity or work of a
have study the activity or work of a
have study the activity or work of a student this is literally all that the
student this is literally all that the
student this is literally all that the independent study courses students
independent study courses students
independent study courses students design a course for themselves and it
design a course for themselves and it
design a course for themselves and it allows a student to pursue something
allows a student to pursue something
allows a student to pursue something that they’re passionate about and create
that they’re passionate about and create
that they’re passionate about and create an experience that could be outside of a
an experience that could be outside of a
an experience that could be outside of a classroom now independent studies that
classroom now independent studies that
classroom now independent studies that we’ve pursued in the past have ranged
we’ve pursued in the past have ranged
we’ve pursued in the past have ranged from dystopian literature to European
from dystopian literature to European
from dystopian literature to European philosophy of the 17th century but today
philosophy of the 17th century but today
philosophy of the 17th century but today we’re going to talk about taking the
we’re going to talk about taking the
we’re going to talk about taking the independent study to the next level by
independent study to the next level by
independent study to the next level by leaving the classroom actually leaving
leaving the classroom actually leaving
leaving the classroom actually leaving the school and pursuing our passions in
the school and pursuing our passions in
the school and pursuing our passions in the community but in order to explain
the community but in order to explain
the community but in order to explain that we need a little bit of a
that we need a little bit of a
that we need a little bit of a background story so Black River our
background story so Black River our
background story so Black River our school for the last month of the school
school for the last month of the school
school for the last month of the school year offers a program called Project
year offers a program called Project
year offers a program called Project term it’s four weeks students can choose
term it’s four weeks students can choose
term it’s four weeks students can choose four courses and so what’s sarah and i
four courses and so what’s sarah and i
four courses and so what’s sarah and i decided to last year is we convinced our
decided to last year is we convinced our
decided to last year is we convinced our teacher to let us do a one month long
teacher to let us do a one month long
teacher to let us do a one month long independent study we found ourselves in
independent study we found ourselves in
independent study we found ourselves in atlanta and seattle interning with local
atlanta and seattle interning with local
atlanta and seattle interning with local businesses while i was in atlanta i was
businesses while i was in atlanta i was
businesses while i was in atlanta i was working with a company called plywood
working with a company called plywood
working with a company called plywood people what plywood does is work with
people what plywood does is work with
people what plywood does is work with local businesses and communities that
local businesses and communities that
local businesses and communities that are trying to somehow benefit Atlanta in
are trying to somehow benefit Atlanta in
are trying to somehow benefit Atlanta in one way or another while I was there I
one way or another while I was there I
one way or another while I was there I basically got to work with the
basically got to work with the
basically got to work with the leadership team of a small business for
leadership team of a small business for
leadership team of a small business for three weeks just like anyone working in
three weeks just like anyone working in
three weeks just like anyone working in that industry would get to do now that
that industry would get to do now that
that industry would get to do now that might not sound that exciting to someone
might not sound that exciting to someone
might not sound that exciting to someone who does this every day but for a high
who does this every day but for a high
who does this every day but for a high school student that was an incredible
school student that was an incredible
school student that was an incredible experience to see that I could do
experience to see that I could do
experience to see that I could do something that had an impact not on a
something that had an impact not on a
something that had an impact not on a grade or on a test on a project but on
grade or on a test on a project but on
grade or on a test on a project but on something outside of myself I got to see
something outside of myself I got to see
something outside of myself I got to see what it was like to plan a huge event or
what it was like to plan a huge event or
what it was like to plan a huge event or have a professional business meeting
have a professional business meeting
have a professional business meeting with someone and those are skills that I
with someone and those are skills that I
with someone and those are skills that I never would have been able to learn if I
never would have been able to learn if I
never would have been able to learn if I was only in a classroom my experience
was only in a classroom my experience
was only in a classroom my experience was a little bit different I was
was a little bit different I was
was a little bit different I was actually working on homework for I
actually working on homework for I
actually working on homework for I promise a diligent six minutes at lemans
promise a diligent six minutes at lemans
promise a diligent six minutes at lemans lows coffee shop before I ended up
lows coffee shop before I ended up
lows coffee shop before I ended up giving up on homework and venturing over
giving up on homework and venturing over
giving up on homework and venturing over to Facebook on this video that I really
to Facebook on this video that I really
to Facebook on this video that I really really loved about a group of people who
really loved about a group of people who
really loved about a group of people who travel to Iceland i sent the creators of
travel to Iceland i sent the creators of
travel to Iceland i sent the creators of the video and email thanking them they
the video and email thanking them they
the video and email thanking them they ended up responding
ended up responding
ended up responding we kind of emailed back and forth and I
we kind of emailed back and forth and I
we kind of emailed back and forth and I jokingly asked if i could join them as
jokingly asked if i could join them as
jokingly asked if i could join them as an intern in May and I said yes so I
an intern in May and I said yes so I
an intern in May and I said yes so I found myself interning with a company
found myself interning with a company
found myself interning with a company called wonder camp out in Seattle this
called wonder camp out in Seattle this
called wonder camp out in Seattle this is Davis and Tim but what this
is Davis and Tim but what this
is Davis and Tim but what this experience did for me was so for a long
experience did for me was so for a long
experience did for me was so for a long time I’ve really been interested in
time I’ve really been interested in
time I’ve really been interested in photography and videography but whenever
photography and videography but whenever
photography and videography but whenever I’ve imagined a profession as a
I’ve imagined a profession as a
I’ve imagined a profession as a freelance videographer where I’ve told
freelance videographer where I’ve told
freelance videographer where I’ve told the people about it they’re like ah
the people about it they’re like ah
the people about it they’re like ah that’s great creative are you planning
that’s great creative are you planning
that’s great creative are you planning on living on your parents you know couch
on living on your parents you know couch
on living on your parents you know couch for the rest of your life and so this is
for the rest of your life and so this is
for the rest of your life and so this is really cool because I got to see through
really cool because I got to see through
really cool because I got to see through davis what their business model looked
davis what their business model looked
davis what their business model looked like like what was it like to charge rei
like like what was it like to charge rei
like like what was it like to charge rei for the you know the videos that they
for the you know the videos that they
for the you know the videos that they were making and what was it like with
were making and what was it like with
were making and what was it like with your free time in the freelance
your free time in the freelance
your free time in the freelance videography industry to give back to the
videography industry to give back to the
videography industry to give back to the community and so that’s i just loved the
community and so that’s i just loved the
community and so that’s i just loved the experience and again it was not
experience and again it was not
experience and again it was not something that I could have had inside
something that I could have had inside
something that I could have had inside high school so after we had these
high school so after we had these
high school so after we had these incredible opportunities we did some
incredible opportunities we did some
incredible opportunities we did some research and we were left with one
research and we were left with one
research and we were left with one question why do only three point four or
question why do only three point four or
question why do only three point four or five percent of local students
five percent of local students
five percent of local students participate in independent studies maybe
participate in independent studies maybe
participate in independent studies maybe you don’t have four weeks where you can
you don’t have four weeks where you can
you don’t have four weeks where you can go do something crazy like we just
go do something crazy like we just
go do something crazy like we just talked about but this is definitely
talked about but this is definitely
talked about but this is definitely something that’s feasible for students
something that’s feasible for students
something that’s feasible for students here to do during the school year so we
here to do during the school year so we
here to do during the school year so we started thinking how can we make this
started thinking how can we make this
started thinking how can we make this something that’s a viable course of
something that’s a viable course of
something that’s a viable course of study here locally right now and we
study here locally right now and we
study here locally right now and we figured out that it’s pretty
figured out that it’s pretty
figured out that it’s pretty straightforward what we need to do is
straightforward what we need to do is
straightforward what we need to do is change the way that we’re thinking about
change the way that we’re thinking about
change the way that we’re thinking about the independent study course itself this
the independent study course itself this
the independent study course itself this isn’t a course that you take senior year
isn’t a course that you take senior year
isn’t a course that you take senior year is to slack off and do nothing it’s a
is to slack off and do nothing it’s a
is to slack off and do nothing it’s a course that if you put the work into it
course that if you put the work into it
course that if you put the work into it it sets you apart from other students
it sets you apart from other students
it sets you apart from other students and it allows you to demonstrate sustain
and it allows you to demonstrate sustain
and it allows you to demonstrate sustain interest in something other than just
interest in something other than just
interest in something other than just science or math may you decide to focus
science or math may you decide to focus
science or math may you decide to focus on business nonprofit work municipal
on business nonprofit work municipal
on business nonprofit work municipal government really anything you can
government really anything you can
government really anything you can imagine and this isn’t us just putting a
imagine and this isn’t us just putting a
imagine and this isn’t us just putting a graph on the screen and then throwing
graph on the screen and then throwing
graph on the screen and then throwing words at you you really want you guys to
words at you you really want you guys to
words at you you really want you guys to understand not only how important this
understand not only how important this
understand not only how important this could be for our students but how easily
could be for our students but how easily
could be for our students but how easily it could be implemented again it already
it could be implemented again it already
it could be implemented again it already exists but something else that kind of
exists but something else that kind of
exists but something else that kind of relates to this would be again going
relates to this would be again going
relates to this would be again going back to the college application process
back to the college application process
back to the college application process so when you apply to a college yet the
so when you apply to a college yet the
so when you apply to a college yet the option to do an interview and I’ve done
option to do an interview and I’ve done
option to do an interview and I’ve done a few of these and i think that the
a few of these and i think that the
a few of these and i think that the college interview really gives you
college interview really gives you
college interview really gives you insight into what colleges are looking
insight into what colleges are looking
insight into what colleges are looking for it gives a face to the college and
for it gives a face to the college and
for it gives a face to the college and are asking you direct questions that
are asking you direct questions that
are asking you direct questions that they want to know about you so when i’ve
they want to know about you so when i’ve
they want to know about you so when i’ve sat down for the
sat down for the
sat down for the interviews we’ve started introduced
interviews we’ve started introduced
interviews we’ve started introduced ourselves and they have not started out
ourselves and they have not started out
ourselves and they have not started out by asking about AP Calculus about ap
by asking about AP Calculus about ap
by asking about AP Calculus about ap physics calculus based about AP european
physics calculus based about AP european
physics calculus based about AP european history because ladies and gentlemen we
history because ladies and gentlemen we
history because ladies and gentlemen we already have 4.1 76 million students
already have 4.1 76 million students
already have 4.1 76 million students taking these exams that was three years
taking these exams that was three years
taking these exams that was three years ago 10 years ago a 10 years from now we
ago 10 years ago a 10 years from now we
ago 10 years ago a 10 years from now we may have as many as 11 million exams
may have as many as 11 million exams
may have as many as 11 million exams being administered they’re no longer
being administered they’re no longer
being administered they’re no longer individual but they were asking about
individual but they were asking about
individual but they were asking about was this independent study they were
was this independent study they were
was this independent study they were asking about what was it like to take
asking about what was it like to take
asking about what was it like to take your education into your own hands what
your education into your own hands what
your education into your own hands what better test of grit is there than taking
better test of grit is there than taking
better test of grit is there than taking your education into your own hands
your education into your own hands
your education into your own hands designing a final product and seeing it
designing a final product and seeing it
designing a final product and seeing it through to its fruition and that was
through to its fruition and that was
through to its fruition and that was just such a good experience and it was
just such a good experience and it was
just such a good experience and it was really good to see that kind of paying
really good to see that kind of paying
really good to see that kind of paying off there but again kind of relating to
off there but again kind of relating to
off there but again kind of relating to this is how much it it just reacted the
this is how much it it just reacted the
this is how much it it just reacted the passion that I had within me that has
passion that I had within me that has
passion that I had within me that has kind of began to dwindle ever since
kind of began to dwindle ever since
kind of began to dwindle ever since freshman year and even if someone isn’t
freshman year and even if someone isn’t
freshman year and even if someone isn’t planning on attending college this could
planning on attending college this could
planning on attending college this could be a great option because it could give
be a great option because it could give
be a great option because it could give them insight into the workplace that
them insight into the workplace that
them insight into the workplace that they’re going to be working in before
they’re going to be working in before
they’re going to be working in before their food and rent depends on it now
their food and rent depends on it now
their food and rent depends on it now there’s another thing that we get to
there’s another thing that we get to
there’s another thing that we get to talk about and it’s kind of a buzzword
talk about and it’s kind of a buzzword
talk about and it’s kind of a buzzword in the business world but social capital
in the business world but social capital
in the business world but social capital locally we have mountains worlds of
locally we have mountains worlds of
locally we have mountains worlds of social capital but it’s essentially
social capital but it’s essentially
social capital but it’s essentially inaccessible to our high school students
inaccessible to our high school students
inaccessible to our high school students now with this proposition we could make
now with this proposition we could make
now with this proposition we could make that accessible to high school students
that accessible to high school students
that accessible to high school students in the workplace students could bridge
in the workplace students could bridge
in the workplace students could bridge the gap between co-worker and friend but
the gap between co-worker and friend but
the gap between co-worker and friend but more importantly they’d have a plan
more importantly they’d have a plan
more importantly they’d have a plan their dream to become an engineer a
their dream to become an engineer a
their dream to become an engineer a software designer but a chef it wouldn’t
software designer but a chef it wouldn’t
software designer but a chef it wouldn’t die after they graduated because they
die after they graduated because they
die after they graduated because they would have met people who are in those
would have met people who are in those
would have met people who are in those industries they would have talked to
industries they would have talked to
industries they would have talked to people who know what it’s like to go
people who know what it’s like to go
people who know what it’s like to go through the ropes and they’d be able to
through the ropes and they’d be able to
through the ropes and they’d be able to give them some insight into how that
give them some insight into how that
give them some insight into how that would work out but who are these people
would work out but who are these people
would work out but who are these people who are the individuals in business
who are the individuals in business
who are the individuals in business municipal government nonprofit work
municipal government nonprofit work
municipal government nonprofit work who’d be willing to reach out by hand to
who’d be willing to reach out by hand to
who’d be willing to reach out by hand to students well many of you are community
students well many of you are community
students well many of you are community leaders or individuals who are committed
leaders or individuals who are committed
leaders or individuals who are committed to making a change locally I think we
to making a change locally I think we
to making a change locally I think we can all agree that locking in the next
can all agree that locking in the next
can all agree that locking in the next generation of leaders is incredibly
generation of leaders is incredibly
generation of leaders is incredibly important now well and I believe that
important now well and I believe that
important now well and I believe that these individuals these business workers
these individuals these business workers
these individuals these business workers you name it that are going to step along
you name it that are going to step along
you name it that are going to step along high school students these people could
high school students these people could
high school students these people could be you I know that sounds crazy we’re
be you I know that sounds crazy we’re
be you I know that sounds crazy we’re challenging you to do this now imagine
challenging you to do this now imagine
challenging you to do this now imagine that
that
that high school students having the
high school students having the
high school students having the opportunity to work with people who are
opportunity to work with people who are
opportunity to work with people who are actually in a career that they’re
actually in a career that they’re
actually in a career that they’re interested in that is something that
interested in that is something that
interested in that is something that right now we don’t really have the
right now we don’t really have the
right now we don’t really have the opportunity to be doing so going along
opportunity to be doing so going along
opportunity to be doing so going along with this is the idea that right now we
with this is the idea that right now we
with this is the idea that right now we have a brain drain currently we have
have a brain drain currently we have
have a brain drain currently we have around leave 2013 and 2015 we had a
around leave 2013 and 2015 we had a
around leave 2013 and 2015 we had a hundred and thirty-five thousand
hundred and thirty-five thousand
hundred and thirty-five thousand individuals leave the state of Michigan
individuals leave the state of Michigan
individuals leave the state of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree or higher crazy
with a bachelor’s degree or higher crazy
with a bachelor’s degree or higher crazy this is something that’s incredibly
this is something that’s incredibly
this is something that’s incredibly important to us how is that possible
important to us how is that possible
important to us how is that possible that this many people are leaving we
that this many people are leaving we
that this many people are leaving we haven’t begun to engage them until after
haven’t begun to engage them until after
haven’t begun to engage them until after they’ve graduated college we need to
they’ve graduated college we need to
they’ve graduated college we need to begin to integrate students while
begin to integrate students while
begin to integrate students while they’re in high school before they have
they’re in high school before they have
they’re in high school before they have their eyes set on something outside of
their eyes set on something outside of
their eyes set on something outside of the state by connecting our students to
the state by connecting our students to
the state by connecting our students to local businesses and organizations early
local businesses and organizations early
local businesses and organizations early on you are directly affecting our
on you are directly affecting our
on you are directly affecting our ability to retain Michigan talent ladies
ability to retain Michigan talent ladies
ability to retain Michigan talent ladies and gentlemen equipping the next
and gentlemen equipping the next
and gentlemen equipping the next generation it starts with you we’re
generation it starts with you we’re
generation it starts with you we’re asking that if students come to you
asking that if students come to you
asking that if students come to you looking for a business opportunity
looking for a business opportunity
looking for a business opportunity during the school day be willing to
during the school day be willing to
during the school day be willing to equip them or if you’re a school
equip them or if you’re a school
equip them or if you’re a school administrator or you work at school be
administrator or you work at school be
administrator or you work at school be open to the idea that students can lead
open to the idea that students can lead
open to the idea that students can lead campus and work in business now we’re
campus and work in business now we’re
campus and work in business now we’re not trying to reinvent the entire
not trying to reinvent the entire
not trying to reinvent the entire educational system here we don’t know
educational system here we don’t know
educational system here we don’t know for proposing would even work on a wide
for proposing would even work on a wide
for proposing would even work on a wide scale level but what we do know is that
scale level but what we do know is that
scale level but what we do know is that there is a ton of opportunity in social
there is a ton of opportunity in social
there is a ton of opportunity in social capital in Holland and in this area that
capital in Holland and in this area that
capital in Holland and in this area that right now is nearly inaccessible to
right now is nearly inaccessible to
right now is nearly inaccessible to students we don’t know as I said if this
students we don’t know as I said if this
students we don’t know as I said if this is the solution everything if this would
is the solution everything if this would
is the solution everything if this would work anywhere else but right here right
work anywhere else but right here right
work anywhere else but right here right now we believe that this is
now we believe that this is
now we believe that this is implementable we believe that this is a
implementable we believe that this is a
implementable we believe that this is a next step a small step in the right
next step a small step in the right
next step a small step in the right direction now for this to work we need
direction now for this to work we need
direction now for this to work we need to changes in mindset first high
to changes in mindset first high
to changes in mindset first high schoolers belief in themselves and
schoolers belief in themselves and
schoolers belief in themselves and secondly perhaps more importantly your
secondly perhaps more importantly your
secondly perhaps more importantly your willingness to believe in our potential
willingness to believe in our potential
willingness to believe in our potential thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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