Is there a New DNA to learning? How can today’s schools create a more collaborative learning infrastructure in line with how today’s Internet-and-wireless-device savvy students experience the world? What does a 21st Century classroom look like? How do you increase and identify a student’s passion for learning and then empower it?
In this episode of the Science House Foundation podcast series, we speak with John C. Carver, Superintendent of Schools in Van Meter, Iowa in the midwestern United States.
We first learned about John’s revolutionary approaches to K-12 education transformation while working on our 2011 report, “IMAGINATION: Creating the Future of Education & Work.” In one of several interviews which ended up in the report, Carver described a compelling notion about the state of education in the United States today. Carver believes that we’re at another “printing press moment” in the history of the world and that “the days of training people to work on an assembly line are over.”
No more book bags
In 2009 the Van Meter School District was tasked by its board to transform by the fall of 2013 into a 21st Century school district. When I interviewed Carver this week, we discussed what a 21st Century classroom looks like and how the Van Meter School district is re-imagining and implementing this new vision, two years into that assignment. One thing that’s different about Van Meter from what you’d see at most U.S. schools in the past 75 years, John told me, is that you won’t students carrying heavy book bags. You won’t see textbooks. And they’re almost entirely paper free. Instead, each 6-12 grader is assigned their own MacBook.
“Technology is Invisible”
In elementary school classrooms in Van Meter you’ll find iPads, iPods and laptops. ”Technology is invisible,” says Carver. Van Meter doesn’t have computer labs. Instead, the teacher places the technology in the hands of the students when it’s appropriate.
John described how his philosophy has evolved, after 30-plus years working in US public schools, about what it means to be a “teacher.” For example, should teachers today defined by the content of their knowledge or their approach to learning (i.e. Are you a “math teacher” or something else)? The teachers at Van Meter, John told me, are not defined by the content of their expertise but by their roles as educators.
Is college still necessary?
Do tomorrow’s students still need to go to college in order to find a meaningful career? I asked John about a his perspective on a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education positing that college may no longer be a career benefit for high school graduates. If that’s the case, I asked, what should K-12 schools do to prepare students for a future that might not include college?
A passion for science and mathematics
“Kids have an intuitive interest in science and math.” But the United States is not necessarily approaching the teaching of science and mathematics in a way that ignites a student’s passion. John believes we need to re-think our approach to teaching science and mathematics. We need to first identify a student’s passion and contextualize the relevance of their passion to science and mathematics. And next, we need to stop teaching science and mathematics in isolation. The key, he says, is connecting with what that student is passionate about.
“Empowering our kids to ‘think, lead, and serve’ is as important at national security.”
You can learn more about John by following his excellent Twitter feed @johnccarver. John also mentions the innovative approaches to learning by Van Meter’s teacher librarian and tech specialist, Shannon M. Miller, who’s Twitter feed is an excellent resource for both educational hardware and software.
John C. Carver on Education’s “Printing Press Moment” by ScienceHouseFdn
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We also talk to Kevin Temmer who’s high school art project to encourage students to study science became a nationwide sensation. We’ve posted the video below.
A few weeks ago I received an email from Bryan Temmer, Kevin’s dad, telling me about his son’s effort to try and increase student interest in science.
—–Original Message—–
From: Bryan Temmer
Subject: Science Fair Animation video
My son Kevin recently graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Land O’ Lakes high school in Florida. As part of the community outreach in the IB program, Kevin decided to create an original animated video to teach students about the science fair. Kevin’s animation has been featured on several sites including the National Science Foundation Knowledge Network, National Geographic Kids, PBS Kids Dragonfly TV, AOL Kids, Edutopia, and Intel’s Inspired by Education site. Kevin’s animated introduction to the science fair can be viewed at:
Kevin was hoping to share his animation with more students to encourage participation and interest in the science fair.
Kevin also recently completed a brand new original song and animation for the World Science Festival in New York City. It was featured last month during the “Cool Jobs” presentation and can be viewed at: http://worldsciencefestival.com/videos/cool_jobs_opening
I look forward to any suggestions you may have on sharing Kevin’s Science Fair video with a larger audience.
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In our final segment of the podcast, I spoke with Kevin, now a college freshmen, and asked him what inspired him to try and get more high school students excited about Science.
We’re thrilled to announce that Science House Foundation 
