you [Music]
so this story that I’m going to tell you
so this story that I’m going to tell you starts out when I’m about your age I was
starts out when I’m about your age I was
starts out when I’m about your age I was a junior in high school we I went to a
a junior in high school we I went to a
a junior in high school we I went to a high school we had one counselor so the
high school we had one counselor so the
high school we had one counselor so the amount of time that I got with my
amount of time that I got with my
amount of time that I got with my counselor was was kind of minimal I know
counselor was was kind of minimal I know
counselor was was kind of minimal I know you guys have like 15 counselors in your
you guys have like 15 counselors in your
you guys have like 15 counselors in your schools but we only had one counselor
schools but we only had one counselor
schools but we only had one counselor and so you know near the end of the
and so you know near the end of the
and so you know near the end of the junior year the question everybody’s
junior year the question everybody’s
junior year the question everybody’s asking is what do you want to do with
asking is what do you want to do with
asking is what do you want to do with the rest of your life what do you want
the rest of your life what do you want
the rest of your life what do you want to be when you grow up and you know
to be when you grow up and you know
to be when you grow up and you know maybe a few of you when you popped out
maybe a few of you when you popped out
maybe a few of you when you popped out of the womb you’re like I want to be a
of the womb you’re like I want to be a
of the womb you’re like I want to be a fireman right but for most of us when
fireman right but for most of us when
fireman right but for most of us when we’re 22 or 17 we have no clue what we
we’re 22 or 17 we have no clue what we
we’re 22 or 17 we have no clue what we really want to do and so I ran into my
really want to do and so I ran into my
really want to do and so I ran into my counselors office it was kind of like
counselors office it was kind of like
counselors office it was kind of like waterboarding I laid on a table he
waterboarding I laid on a table he
waterboarding I laid on a table he started pouring water what do you want
started pouring water what do you want
started pouring water what do you want to be what do you want to be and I was
to be what do you want to be and I was
to be what do you want to be and I was like I don’t know what I want to be with
like I don’t know what I want to be with
like I don’t know what I want to be with when I grew up were you good at math and
when I grew up were you good at math and
when I grew up were you good at math and science you should be an engineer I’m
science you should be an engineer I’m
science you should be an engineer I’m like great I’ll be an engineer and I run
like great I’ll be an engineer and I run
like great I’ll be an engineer and I run out and I cling to that right and
out and I cling to that right and
out and I cling to that right and obviously there’s no waterboarding in my
obviously there’s no waterboarding in my
obviously there’s no waterboarding in my school but but the experience feels like
school but but the experience feels like
school but but the experience feels like that often when you’re in high school
that often when you’re in high school
that often when you’re in high school there’s a lot of pressure to figure out
there’s a lot of pressure to figure out
there’s a lot of pressure to figure out exactly what do you want to do and
exactly what do you want to do and
exactly what do you want to do and they’re big decisions it’s going to
they’re big decisions it’s going to
they’re big decisions it’s going to change or dictate the course of your
change or dictate the course of your
change or dictate the course of your life and so while we’re trying to get
life and so while we’re trying to get
life and so while we’re trying to get good grades and hold on to a narrative
good grades and hold on to a narrative
good grades and hold on to a narrative of I want access to the best schools
of I want access to the best schools
of I want access to the best schools often this idea of what my passions are
often this idea of what my passions are
often this idea of what my passions are what my gifts are are lost in a high
what my gifts are are lost in a high
what my gifts are are lost in a high school experience so five years into
school experience so five years into
school experience so five years into Drexel University as an engineering
Drexel University as an engineering
Drexel University as an engineering student my last co-op I realized I don’t
student my last co-op I realized I don’t
student my last co-op I realized I don’t think I want to be an engineer for the
think I want to be an engineer for the
think I want to be an engineer for the rest of my life and there’s a whole
rest of my life and there’s a whole
rest of my life and there’s a whole nother story but I figured out that I
nother story but I figured out that I
nother story but I figured out that I really was interested in become an
really was interested in become an
really was interested in become an educator not just a an educator but my
educator not just a an educator but my
educator not just a an educator but my passion had to do with urban education
passion had to do with urban education
passion had to do with urban education and so I became an urban math and
and so I became an urban math and
and so I became an urban math and science teacher I started teaching at
science teacher I started teaching at
science teacher I started teaching at West Philadelphia High School which is
West Philadelphia High School which is
West Philadelphia High School which is was back then and still is one of the
was back then and still is one of the
was back then and still is one of the most challenging schools in Philadelphia
most challenging schools in Philadelphia
most challenging schools in Philadelphia and it was really scary like my first
and it was really scary like my first
and it was really scary like my first year
year
year there was really really difficult and so
there was really really difficult and so
there was really really difficult and so to try to make sense of what was going
to try to make sense of what was going
to try to make sense of what was going on I started an after-school program I
on I started an after-school program I
on I started an after-school program I would like to say that I had the vision
would like to say that I had the vision
would like to say that I had the vision for what was going to happen but I did
for what was going to happen but I did
for what was going to happen but I did and I was I was considered a good
and I was I was considered a good
and I was I was considered a good teacher my kids were you know sitting in
teacher my kids were you know sitting in
teacher my kids were you know sitting in desks and rows and you know there wasn’t
desks and rows and you know there wasn’t
desks and rows and you know there wasn’t any fistfights going on my classroom so
any fistfights going on my classroom so
any fistfights going on my classroom so I must have been doing something right
I must have been doing something right
I must have been doing something right and and I was not satisfied with the
and and I was not satisfied with the
and and I was not satisfied with the type of learning that was going on and
type of learning that was going on and
type of learning that was going on and so to preserve my own mental health
so to preserve my own mental health
so to preserve my own mental health I started this after-school program we
I started this after-school program we
I started this after-school program we happen to have a go-cart in the shop
happen to have a go-cart in the shop
happen to have a go-cart in the shop there was a automotive shop right
there was a automotive shop right
there was a automotive shop right adjacent to my classroom and I got
adjacent to my classroom and I got
adjacent to my classroom and I got friendly with the shop teachers and my
friendly with the shop teachers and my
friendly with the shop teachers and my students decided let’s let’s turn it
students decided let’s let’s turn it
students decided let’s let’s turn it into an electric go-kart and make a
into an electric go-kart and make a
into an electric go-kart and make a science fair project out of it let me
science fair project out of it let me
science fair project out of it let me see if I got this and and so they went
see if I got this and and so they went
see if I got this and and so they went to the science fair and I got second
to the science fair and I got second
to the science fair and I got second place and kids from West Philly High
place and kids from West Philly High
place and kids from West Philly High School don’t get second place in science
School don’t get second place in science
School don’t get second place in science fairs that was really cool back then and
fairs that was really cool back then and
fairs that was really cool back then and it got them really excited and they said
it got them really excited and they said
it got them really excited and they said let’s do something bigger and so the
let’s do something bigger and so the
let’s do something bigger and so the following year they we had this Jeep in
following year they we had this Jeep in
following year they we had this Jeep in the shop that was just sitting there
the shop that was just sitting there
the shop that was just sitting there they converted it to electric power this
they converted it to electric power this
they converted it to electric power this is way before electric cars were cool or
is way before electric cars were cool or
is way before electric cars were cool or even people were really talking about
even people were really talking about
even people were really talking about them and so they took that to the
them and so they took that to the
them and so they took that to the science fair and they won the
science fair and they won the
science fair and they won the philadelphia science fair and they went
philadelphia science fair and they went
philadelphia science fair and they went on to the states the regional science
on to the states the regional science
on to the states the regional science fair and and they they were just blown
fair and and they they were just blown
fair and and they they were just blown away by the experience and they wanted
away by the experience and they wanted
away by the experience and they wanted to do something bigger so we looked
to do something bigger so we looked
to do something bigger so we looked around and I found a competition called
around and I found a competition called
around and I found a competition called a tortoise so it was a five day Road
a tortoise so it was a five day Road
a tortoise so it was a five day Road race from New York City to Washington DC
race from New York City to Washington DC
race from New York City to Washington DC and it was for alternative power
and it was for alternative power
and it was for alternative power vehicles so mostly electrics and solar
vehicles so mostly electrics and solar
vehicles so mostly electrics and solar is then there’s a couple hybrids that
is then there’s a couple hybrids that
is then there’s a couple hybrids that the hybrid idea was brand new at this
the hybrid idea was brand new at this
the hybrid idea was brand new at this time this is a 14 years 15 years ago and
time this is a 14 years 15 years ago and
time this is a 14 years 15 years ago and and so we enter the race and the first
and so we enter the race and the first
and so we enter the race and the first year we’ve made it through the second
year we’ve made it through the second
year we’ve made it through the second year we did a little bit better and by
year we did a little bit better and by
year we did a little bit better and by the third year the unexpected happened
the third year the unexpected happened
the third year the unexpected happened the car that’s you can kind of see
the car that’s you can kind of see
the car that’s you can kind of see behind us is a Saturn that we converted
behind us is a Saturn that we converted
behind us is a Saturn that we converted to all-electric power we got over 180
to all-electric power we got over 180
to all-electric power we got over 180 miles per gallon there’s 41 teams from
miles per gallon there’s 41 teams from
miles per gallon there’s 41 teams from around the
around the
around the country and we ended up winning the race
country and we ended up winning the race
country and we ended up winning the race I can still remember the last day MIT
I can still remember the last day MIT
I can still remember the last day MIT was in the judging ten thing isn’t it’s
was in the judging ten thing isn’t it’s
was in the judging ten thing isn’t it’s mathematically impossible they can’t
mathematically impossible they can’t
mathematically impossible they can’t beat us and the judges are like well
beat us and the judges are like well
beat us and the judges are like well here the scores this is what their fuel
here the scores this is what their fuel
here the scores this is what their fuel economy is and two things happen there
economy is and two things happen there
economy is and two things happen there it feels really good if you’re from a
it feels really good if you’re from a
it feels really good if you’re from a low budget high school and you beat MIT
low budget high school and you beat MIT
low budget high school and you beat MIT I guess three things it felt really good
I guess three things it felt really good
I guess three things it felt really good the other thing that happened was as a
the other thing that happened was as a
the other thing that happened was as a teacher I started to realize that my
teacher I started to realize that my
teacher I started to realize that my students were learning more through this
students were learning more through this
students were learning more through this after school experience than in my
after school experience than in my
after school experience than in my classes and the types of things they
classes and the types of things they
classes and the types of things they were learning were really important not
were learning were really important not
were learning were really important not only were they learning to solve
only were they learning to solve
only were they learning to solve engineering problems but they’re
engineering problems but they’re
engineering problems but they’re learning to become experts in something
learning to become experts in something
learning to become experts in something that they were interested in they’re
that they were interested in they’re
that they were interested in they’re being put in a place where people were
being put in a place where people were
being put in a place where people were coming to them to ask them about
coming to them to ask them about
coming to them to ask them about electric cars and what they met the
electric cars and what they met the
electric cars and what they met the other thing that happened which was
other thing that happened which was
other thing that happened which was really interesting was that at that time
really interesting was that at that time
really interesting was that at that time Toyota rolled out the Prius the Prius is
Toyota rolled out the Prius the Prius is
Toyota rolled out the Prius the Prius is brand-new in 2002 they used the tortoise
brand-new in 2002 they used the tortoise
brand-new in 2002 they used the tortoise oil as one of their test marketing
oil as one of their test marketing
oil as one of their test marketing platforms and to see what the public
platforms and to see what the public
platforms and to see what the public response would be and so I’m working
response would be and so I’m working
response would be and so I’m working with inner-city high school kids and
with inner-city high school kids and
with inner-city high school kids and they get to see the Prius really early
they get to see the Prius really early
they get to see the Prius really early on and they said mr. Hager hybrid cars
on and they said mr. Hager hybrid cars
on and they said mr. Hager hybrid cars are the next thing but something’s got
are the next thing but something’s got
are the next thing but something’s got to change if they’re going to catch on
to change if they’re going to catch on
to change if they’re going to catch on so high school students got this GM at
so high school students got this GM at
so high school students got this GM at the time is saying no hybrids are never
the time is saying no hybrids are never
the time is saying no hybrids are never going to work and there they are winding
going to work and there they are winding
going to work and there they are winding down their electric vehicle program the
down their electric vehicle program the
down their electric vehicle program the Japanese had ramp them up and gotten
Japanese had ramp them up and gotten
Japanese had ramp them up and gotten there first and so kids from West Philly
there first and so kids from West Philly
there first and so kids from West Philly said if they’re going to catch on
said if they’re going to catch on
said if they’re going to catch on something needs to change and so I
something needs to change and so I
something needs to change and so I challenged them to solve that problem
challenged them to solve that problem
challenged them to solve that problem and so it takes teenagers to kind of
and so it takes teenagers to kind of
and so it takes teenagers to kind of think outside the box you guys actually
think outside the box you guys actually
think outside the box you guys actually kind of live outside the box right and
kind of live outside the box right and
kind of live outside the box right and they came up with this idea we need to
they came up with this idea we need to
they came up with this idea we need to make a badass hybrid now badass and
make a badass hybrid now badass and
make a badass hybrid now badass and hybrid don’t usually find themselves in
hybrid don’t usually find themselves in
hybrid don’t usually find themselves in the same sense but when teenagers are
the same sense but when teenagers are
the same sense but when teenagers are challenged to solve real problems you
challenged to solve real problems you
challenged to solve real problems you guys come up with really creative ideas
guys come up with really creative ideas
guys come up with really creative ideas and so this is the vehicle that we built
and so this is the vehicle that we built
and so this is the vehicle that we built next we
next we
next we designed it to break a stereotype of
designed it to break a stereotype of
designed it to break a stereotype of what hybrids could be this is back in
what hybrids could be this is back in
what hybrids could be this is back in 2003 we designed it took us a couple
2003 we designed it took us a couple
2003 we designed it took us a couple years to raise the money and build it
years to raise the money and build it
years to raise the money and build it and 2005 we go back to the tortoise Sol
and 2005 we go back to the tortoise Sol
and 2005 we go back to the tortoise Sol we won the race again and now the fact
we won the race again and now the fact
we won the race again and now the fact that we had a cool-looking car and
that we had a cool-looking car and
that we had a cool-looking car and there’s urban kids and we won the race
there’s urban kids and we won the race
there’s urban kids and we won the race we started to get national media
we started to get national media
we started to get national media attention and all this time as a teacher
attention and all this time as a teacher
attention and all this time as a teacher I’m thinking about how can I do more of
I’m thinking about how can I do more of
I’m thinking about how can I do more of this kind of stuff in my classroom they
this kind of stuff in my classroom they
this kind of stuff in my classroom they painted the car took it back the next
painted the car took it back the next
painted the car took it back the next year won again and this put us in
year won again and this put us in
year won again and this put us in position for the next big competition
position for the next big competition
position for the next big competition that was being announced in 2008 the
that was being announced in 2008 the
that was being announced in 2008 the XPrize which had just finished the
XPrize which had just finished the
XPrize which had just finished the Ansari XPrize the whole SpaceX program
Ansari XPrize the whole SpaceX program
Ansari XPrize the whole SpaceX program came out of it announced its second
came out of it announced its second
came out of it announced its second competition was to make cars to get over
competition was to make cars to get over
competition was to make cars to get over 100 miles per gallon that are
100 miles per gallon that are
100 miles per gallon that are cost-effective and we threw our hat in
cost-effective and we threw our hat in
cost-effective and we threw our hat in the ring
the ring
the ring 111 teams from around the world and we
111 teams from around the world and we
111 teams from around the world and we were the only high school so over the
were the only high school so over the
were the only high school so over the next two years we were competing against
next two years we were competing against
next two years we were competing against big corporations MIT again
big corporations MIT again
big corporations MIT again Cornell several top universities and for
Cornell several top universities and for
Cornell several top universities and for the next two years we raised money build
the next two years we raised money build
the next two years we raised money build cars this was one of the cars we built
cars this was one of the cars we built
cars this was one of the cars we built and found herself at Michigan
and found herself at Michigan
and found herself at Michigan International Speedway and the
International Speedway and the
International Speedway and the semi-finals and it was an incredible
semi-finals and it was an incredible
semi-finals and it was an incredible journey for the students and the staff
journey for the students and the staff
journey for the students and the staff that were a part of that now for the
that were a part of that now for the
that were a part of that now for the sake of time I’ll I’ll not give you a
sake of time I’ll I’ll not give you a
sake of time I’ll I’ll not give you a spoiler if you want to see how that
spoiler if you want to see how that
spoiler if you want to see how that competition end ended you can go to
competition end ended you can go to
competition end ended you can go to frontline they did documentary on us and
frontline they did documentary on us and
frontline they did documentary on us and followed us and I happy to think it’s a
followed us and I happy to think it’s a
followed us and I happy to think it’s a pretty good documentary but I’m not
pretty good documentary but I’m not
pretty good documentary but I’m not objective about it so you can check it
objective about it so you can check it
objective about it so you can check it out at some point so one of my favorite
out at some point so one of my favorite
out at some point so one of my favorite quotes from the documentary is one of my
quotes from the documentary is one of my
quotes from the documentary is one of my students saying you can’t teach critical
students saying you can’t teach critical
students saying you can’t teach critical thinking without critical conditions
thinking without critical conditions
thinking without critical conditions right what does it mean to develop
right what does it mean to develop
right what does it mean to develop critical thinking skills and and I agree
critical thinking skills and and I agree
critical thinking skills and and I agree with the last speaker there’s a whole
with the last speaker there’s a whole
with the last speaker there’s a whole bunch more than to education than just
bunch more than to education than just
bunch more than to education than just critical thinking but this is a really
critical thinking but this is a really
critical thinking but this is a really powerful thought and I want you to hold
powerful thought and I want you to hold
powerful thought and I want you to hold this thought because this is where I
this thought because this is where I
this thought because this is where I think my story in your story
think my story in your story
think my story in your story come back together and I want you to
come back together and I want you to
come back together and I want you to just think for one second about this
just think for one second about this
just think for one second about this question I’m going to ask and then I’m
question I’m going to ask and then I’m
question I’m going to ask and then I’m going to see if I can predict your
going to see if I can predict your
going to see if I can predict your answer all right this is the kind of
answer all right this is the kind of
answer all right this is the kind of magic part of the presentation so think
magic part of the presentation so think
magic part of the presentation so think about a highlight from high school so
about a highlight from high school so
about a highlight from high school so far something that you’re going to
far something that you’re going to
far something that you’re going to remember when you leave high school just
remember when you leave high school just
remember when you leave high school just take a moment think of one of the
take a moment think of one of the
take a moment think of one of the highlights from high school and I’m
highlights from high school and I’m
highlights from high school and I’m going to see if I can predict it all
going to see if I can predict it all
going to see if I can predict it all right so everybody got their highlight
all right okay I get it right oh this is
all right okay I get it right oh this is LM I’m sorry I forgot
LM I’m sorry I forgot
LM I’m sorry I forgot and the LM school district maybe this
and the LM school district maybe this
and the LM school district maybe this was it no I trust me I’m I’m a engineer
was it no I trust me I’m I’m a engineer
was it no I trust me I’m I’m a engineer by Nature I love teaching math and
by Nature I love teaching math and
by Nature I love teaching math and science I love the quadratic equation I
science I love the quadratic equation I
science I love the quadratic equation I get out on it and often it’s taught
get out on it and often it’s taught
get out on it and often it’s taught outside of context it like and this
outside of context it like and this
outside of context it like and this isn’t the quadratic quiz you guys have
isn’t the quadratic quiz you guys have
isn’t the quadratic quiz you guys have to memorize how to derive the quadratic
to memorize how to derive the quadratic
to memorize how to derive the quadratic equation because that’s really important
equation because that’s really important
equation because that’s really important you know sorry for the sarcasm but so
you know sorry for the sarcasm but so
you know sorry for the sarcasm but so much of education has become just
much of education has become just
much of education has become just memorizing facts so that why why are you
memorizing facts so that why why are you
memorizing facts so that why why are you told that you need to know all of this
told that you need to know all of this
told that you need to know all of this stuff so that you can get good grades so
stuff so that you can get good grades so
stuff so that you can get good grades so that you can get into a top-tier college
that you can get into a top-tier college
that you can get into a top-tier college so that you can get into a top-tier
so that you can get into a top-tier
so that you can get into a top-tier graduate school program so that you can
graduate school program so that you can
graduate school program so that you can get the job that you want because that’s
get the job that you want because that’s
get the job that you want because that’s going to make you happy or successful I
going to make you happy or successful I
going to make you happy or successful I contend there’s a little bit more to it
contend there’s a little bit more to it
contend there’s a little bit more to it than that and so it begs the question
than that and so it begs the question
than that and so it begs the question what’s the purpose of school is it to
what’s the purpose of school is it to
what’s the purpose of school is it to know how many ATP are created from
know how many ATP are created from
know how many ATP are created from cellular respiration anybody know I
cellular respiration anybody know I
cellular respiration anybody know I thought it was 38 damn and I’ve become a
thought it was 38 damn and I’ve become a
thought it was 38 damn and I’ve become a principal so I’ve somehow made it not
principal so I’ve somehow made it not
principal so I’ve somehow made it not knowing the right answer that the amount
knowing the right answer that the amount
knowing the right answer that the amount of information and the depth that you go
of information and the depth that you go
of information and the depth that you go in I contend is not what the purpose of
in I contend is not what the purpose of
in I contend is not what the purpose of school is math and reading and writing
school is math and reading and writing
school is math and reading and writing and philosophy being able to Beit to
and philosophy being able to Beit to
and philosophy being able to Beit to cite evidence and have reasoning
cite evidence and have reasoning
cite evidence and have reasoning all of those things are crucial but
all of those things are crucial but
all of those things are crucial but they’re crucial to do something with it
they’re crucial to do something with it
they’re crucial to do something with it not just to do more education they’re
not just to do more education they’re
not just to do more education they’re crucial to be able to find what you’re
crucial to be able to find what you’re
crucial to be able to find what you’re passionate about and what your gifts are
passionate about and what your gifts are
passionate about and what your gifts are they’re crucial so that you can have a
they’re crucial so that you can have a
they’re crucial so that you can have a sense of who you are and what makes you
sense of who you are and what makes you
sense of who you are and what makes you tick there’s nothing worse than getting
tick there’s nothing worse than getting
tick there’s nothing worse than getting to the end of the line and getting that
to the end of the line and getting that
to the end of the line and getting that job and finding out that you’re
job and finding out that you’re
job and finding out that you’re miserable that this is you know the the
miserable that this is you know the the
miserable that this is you know the the paycheck is not making you happy it
paycheck is not making you happy it
paycheck is not making you happy it won’t
won’t
won’t and so I contend that the purpose of
and so I contend that the purpose of
and so I contend that the purpose of school is something bigger than what
school is something bigger than what
school is something bigger than what often is taught in school and and ask
often is taught in school and and ask
often is taught in school and and ask yourself think about the skills that you
yourself think about the skills that you
yourself think about the skills that you need to be successful you’re all smart
need to be successful you’re all smart
need to be successful you’re all smart young folks it’s not the quadratic
young folks it’s not the quadratic
young folks it’s not the quadratic formula it might be what you do with
formula it might be what you do with
formula it might be what you do with that information but when you read any
that information but when you read any
that information but when you read any research that’s out there now Tony
research that’s out there now Tony
research that’s out there now Tony Wagner deeper learning competencies and
Wagner deeper learning competencies and
Wagner deeper learning competencies and the list goes on and on and on what are
the list goes on and on and on what are
the list goes on and on and on what are some of the skills that you need to be
some of the skills that you need to be
some of the skills that you need to be successful what’s the big one that’s
successful what’s the big one that’s
successful what’s the big one that’s really popular right now because the
really popular right now because the
really popular right now because the professors at university Penn anybody
professors at university Penn anybody
professors at university Penn anybody know it rhymes with MIT great right you
know it rhymes with MIT great right you
know it rhymes with MIT great right you need great so and that’s what do you do
need great so and that’s what do you do
need great so and that’s what do you do when you face a challenge how do you
when you face a challenge how do you
when you face a challenge how do you persevere how do you move through it
persevere how do you move through it
persevere how do you move through it it’s a very important skill to develop
it’s a very important skill to develop
it’s a very important skill to develop how do you develop great by memorizing
how do you develop great by memorizing
how do you develop great by memorizing quadratic formula and how it’s derived
quadratic formula and how it’s derived
quadratic formula and how it’s derived or by taking on real problems and real
or by taking on real problems and real
or by taking on real problems and real challenges and really struggling through
challenges and really struggling through
challenges and really struggling through things that are important to you
things that are important to you
things that are important to you obviously I would suggest this the
obviously I would suggest this the
obviously I would suggest this the latter so what did I do well I became
latter so what did I do well I became
latter so what did I do well I became more and more disillusioned I don’t know
more and more disillusioned I don’t know
more and more disillusioned I don’t know if you can tell with the way education
if you can tell with the way education
if you can tell with the way education was working and a few colleagues and I
was working and a few colleagues and I
was working and a few colleagues and I started to school in Philadelphia now
started to school in Philadelphia now
started to school in Philadelphia now it’s easier to design cars that get over
it’s easier to design cars that get over
it’s easier to design cars that get over 180 miles per gallon than to get a
180 miles per gallon than to get a
180 miles per gallon than to get a school started in Philadelphia so I’m
school started in Philadelphia so I’m
school started in Philadelphia so I’m kind of short cutting that part of the
kind of short cutting that part of the
kind of short cutting that part of the story it was very difficult to get this
story it was very difficult to get this
story it was very difficult to get this school started but the idea behind the
school started but the idea behind the
school started but the idea behind the school is why can’t the curriculum be
school is why can’t the curriculum be
school is why can’t the curriculum be about solving real problems we trust
about solving real problems we trust
about solving real problems we trust students to take on real problems and
students to take on real problems and
students to take on real problems and develop real projects and responses to
develop real projects and responses to
develop real projects and responses to things that are important to them into
things that are important to them into
things that are important to them into society is it messy yes do we get to
society is it messy yes do we get to
society is it messy yes do we get to have a nice
have a nice
have a nice your progression of all the facts that
your progression of all the facts that
your progression of all the facts that you need to know to call it algebra one
you need to know to call it algebra one
you need to know to call it algebra one or biology no we don’t but when students
or biology no we don’t but when students
or biology no we don’t but when students learn the things that they’re learning
learn the things that they’re learning
learn the things that they’re learning through that process the skills the
through that process the skills the
through that process the skills the academic skills they go deep and they
academic skills they go deep and they
academic skills they go deep and they really understand them and they use them
really understand them and they use them
really understand them and they use them for a purpose and they develop these
for a purpose and they develop these
for a purpose and they develop these other skills the skills we think that
other skills the skills we think that
other skills the skills we think that adults use every day to be successful
adults use every day to be successful
adults use every day to be successful and so here is a couple pictures of
and so here is a couple pictures of
and so here is a couple pictures of different types of projects we have shop
different types of projects we have shop
different types of projects we have shop space kids learn how to use all sorts of
space kids learn how to use all sorts of
space kids learn how to use all sorts of cool tools to make stuff in this example
cool tools to make stuff in this example
cool tools to make stuff in this example students were doing an experiment with
students were doing an experiment with
students were doing an experiment with green roofs so there was an acai insec
green roofs so there was an acai insec
green roofs so there was an acai insec sperimentale it’ll model green roof took
sperimentale it’ll model green roof took
sperimentale it’ll model green roof took data learn about all the benefits of
data learn about all the benefits of
data learn about all the benefits of what green roofs can and can’t do a
what green roofs can and can’t do a
what green roofs can and can’t do a local business approached us last year
local business approached us last year
local business approached us last year anybody ever have a little babies ice
anybody ever have a little babies ice
anybody ever have a little babies ice cream they approached this and they
cream they approached this and they
cream they approached this and they wanted to launch their ice cream into
wanted to launch their ice cream into
wanted to launch their ice cream into space we said sure what the hell that
space we said sure what the hell that
space we said sure what the hell that sounds like fun and collected data as we
sounds like fun and collected data as we
sounds like fun and collected data as we actually took it too near space and then
actually took it too near space and then
actually took it too near space and then tracked it and was a great project and
tracked it and was a great project and
tracked it and was a great project and it was allowed the students to interface
it was allowed the students to interface
it was allowed the students to interface often businesses or companies will come
often businesses or companies will come
often businesses or companies will come to us with fun projects like this or
to us with fun projects like this or
to us with fun projects like this or more serious projects it gives the
more serious projects it gives the
more serious projects it gives the students an opportunity to interface
students an opportunity to interface
students an opportunity to interface with people outside the school students
with people outside the school students
with people outside the school students start businesses
start businesses
start businesses this is workshop industries where two
this is workshop industries where two
this is workshop industries where two years ago a kid came up with idea around
years ago a kid came up with idea around
years ago a kid came up with idea around Christmastime that he want to make an
Christmastime that he want to make an
Christmastime that he want to make an ornament with the word John for the
ornament with the word John for the
ornament with the word John for the Christmas tree their little ones hanging
Christmas tree their little ones hanging
Christmas tree their little ones hanging up in the back and he called it a John
up in the back and he called it a John
up in the back and he called it a John Inman and it caught on and every year we
Inman and it caught on and every year we
Inman and it caught on and every year we sell out and this year we took made a
sell out and this year we took made a
sell out and this year we took made a big one and took it down in the new
big one and took it down in the new
big one and took it down in the new mayor hung it around his neck we put it
mayor hung it around his neck we put it
mayor hung it around his neck we put it on the rocky statue but that’s a
on the rocky statue but that’s a
on the rocky statue but that’s a student-run business that the students
student-run business that the students
student-run business that the students created our kids give speeches on topics
created our kids give speeches on topics
created our kids give speeches on topics as they’re important and often it’s to
as they’re important and often it’s to
as they’re important and often it’s to peers or the public but sometimes really
peers or the public but sometimes really
peers or the public but sometimes really important people show up to those
important people show up to those
important people show up to those speeches and I think that the teenagers
speeches and I think that the teenagers
speeches and I think that the teenagers should be put in that position your
should be put in that position your
should be put in that position your ideas matter you guys have a lot to add
ideas matter you guys have a lot to add
ideas matter you guys have a lot to add to the conversations that are going on
to the conversations that are going on
to the conversations that are going on and school should be about giving you
and school should be about giving you
and school should be about giving you opportunity and cert yourself into those
opportunity and cert yourself into those
opportunity and cert yourself into those conversations and it’s about building a
conversations and it’s about building a
conversations and it’s about building a community so students feel care for
community so students feel care for
community so students feel care for and respected and valued and often these
and respected and valued and often these
and respected and valued and often these projects end up going out into the world
projects end up going out into the world
projects end up going out into the world and accomplishing things we didn’t
and accomplishing things we didn’t
and accomplishing things we didn’t realize they were going to in the
realize they were going to in the
realize they were going to in the beginning and one of the Marvis ones
beginning and one of the Marvis ones
beginning and one of the Marvis ones that as my son said two years ago we
that as my son said two years ago we
that as my son said two years ago we ended up landing at the White House
ended up landing at the White House
ended up landing at the White House which was a really really interesting
which was a really really interesting
which was a really really interesting experience and an amazing and amazing
experience and an amazing and amazing
experience and an amazing and amazing thing for the students to participate in
thing for the students to participate in
thing for the students to participate in so when you guys are given opportunity
so when you guys are given opportunity
so when you guys are given opportunity you can do wonderful things and I want
you can do wonderful things and I want
you can do wonderful things and I want to leave you with two thoughts the first
to leave you with two thoughts the first
to leave you with two thoughts the first is I challenge you to demand more from
is I challenge you to demand more from
is I challenge you to demand more from your school in your education think
your school in your education think
your school in your education think about what are the things that you’re
about what are the things that you’re
about what are the things that you’re passionate about and challenge your
passionate about and challenge your
passionate about and challenge your teachers and your administrators here to
teachers and your administrators here to
teachers and your administrators here to give you space to work on those things
give you space to work on those things
give you space to work on those things in the cut and the confines of the
in the cut and the confines of the
in the cut and the confines of the school day the cool stuff shouldn’t be
school day the cool stuff shouldn’t be
school day the cool stuff shouldn’t be all after-school and you are incredibly
all after-school and you are incredibly
all after-school and you are incredibly blessed and I’m very blessed to have my
blessed and I’m very blessed to have my
blessed and I’m very blessed to have my son in this district because you have
son in this district because you have
son in this district because you have enormous amount of resources and you can
enormous amount of resources and you can
enormous amount of resources and you can do a lot of cool things after school
do a lot of cool things after school
do a lot of cool things after school like this program right planning this
like this program right planning this
like this program right planning this program happened after school the
program happened after school the
program happened after school the robotics team I mean the myriad of clubs
robotics team I mean the myriad of clubs
robotics team I mean the myriad of clubs that that you have access to and that’s
that that you have access to and that’s
that that you have access to and that’s often where you’re finding your passions
often where you’re finding your passions
often where you’re finding your passions but shouldn’t that be more in the school
but shouldn’t that be more in the school
but shouldn’t that be more in the school day shouldn’t you have opportunity to
day shouldn’t you have opportunity to
day shouldn’t you have opportunity to work on real things as a part of the
work on real things as a part of the
work on real things as a part of the curriculum so I would challenge you to
curriculum so I would challenge you to
curriculum so I would challenge you to demand more and the second thing is as
demand more and the second thing is as
demand more and the second thing is as you think about what what you want to do
you think about what what you want to do
you think about what what you want to do and what really makes you tick don’t
and what really makes you tick don’t
and what really makes you tick don’t worry about your mom’s going to be
worry about your mom’s going to be
worry about your mom’s going to be really pissed off I’m going to say this
really pissed off I’m going to say this
really pissed off I’m going to say this but I’m going to say don’t worry about
but I’m going to say don’t worry about
but I’m going to say don’t worry about the number of AP classes you take think
the number of AP classes you take think
the number of AP classes you take think about the the classes that interest you
about the the classes that interest you
about the the classes that interest you and think about the things you can do to
and think about the things you can do to
and think about the things you can do to start to connect with what your passion
start to connect with what your passion
start to connect with what your passion is I’ve found my passion and I’m
is I’ve found my passion and I’m
is I’ve found my passion and I’m extremely grateful that I have and I
extremely grateful that I have and I
extremely grateful that I have and I hope you guys find yours thank you
hope you guys find yours thank you
hope you guys find yours thank you you
”
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