Does Science or Mathematics Really Matter?

A young vibrant gifted urban science teacher expressed a concern to me yesterday. The teacher suggested that he feared being forced to teach "ELA" (English Language Arts) since that is all the district cares about given the testing mania destroying our nation's public schools.

The President, heads of corporations, pundits, politicians and demagogues of all stripe chatter-on endlessly about the need to improve math and science education. I agree. They even gave their concern an acronym, S.T.E.M. You know something is a serious priority when it has its own acronym, right?

I actually wanted to believe the hype that Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Technology, AND the arts would realize a renaissance in our public schools. Much of my career has been dedicated to this proposition.

That is why I have organized a low-cost, world-class, one-of-a-kind learning event for educators interested in S.T.E.M. for January 22, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA USA.

Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge is a one-day preconference before Educon 2.1. Some of my intellectual heroes - the people who inspired my career or taught me to understand the importance of computing - will lead small group minds-on experiences at the renowned Science Leadership Academy.

If you can't make it to Philadelphia yourself, please blog about the event and tell your colleagues about it too. They will thank you as do I.

Registration Now Open for CMK 2009!

How does one possibly top a summer institute where Alfie Kohn, Peter Reynolds, Bob Tinker, Marvin Minsky and an all-star faculty joined educators from around the world to create remarkable learning adventures?


Constructing Modern Knowledge 2009 promises to do just that!

Registration is now open for the professional learning event of 2009!

Constructing Modern Knowledge 2009 offers a world-class faculty and supportive environment for educators interested in exploring the intersection of creativity, collaboration, computing and powerful ideas.

Where else can you spend four days tinkering, collaborating, talking and learning with educators from around the world, plus legendary educators, including the first public school educator to be named a Macarthur Genius, Deborah Meier and Herb Kohl, author of dozens of classic books about education

Learn more about CMK '09 at this site.

David Thornburg to present at Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge

Dr. David Thornburg will lead two workshops at Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge January 22, 2009 in Philadelphia prior to Educon 2.1.

Read more and register here

Happy 50th Smoot Anniversary!

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (AP) -- The father of a measurement known as the "Smoot" returned Saturday to be honored at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the school where he and his fraternity brothers invented it 50 years ago.

Read the rest of the story at
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/10/04/smoot.day.ap/index.html

Kids LOVE this story!

Sneak Peek at Educon 2.1 Preconference Event

Click the graphic above to learn more about this exciting Educon 2.1 preconference event!

Reflections on Constructing Modern Knowledge 2008

My summer institute, Constructing Modern Knowledge, was one of the most rewarding efforts of my career. I'm already working on how to make next year's event even bigger and better.

Soon, more multimedia from CMK08 will be posted on the the web, but in the meantime a number of thoughtful reflections have been shared via the blogosphere.

Check out the blogs here.

www.flickr.com

Constructing Modern Knowledge in 3 Minutes

New York City educator made a film documenting my recent Constructing Modern Knowledge summer institute. I think he did an admirable job capturing the spirit of CMK08, the collaborations between participants and the learning environment we created.

The quality of Michael's effort is especially laudable since he shot and edited the video before the end of the four day event.

Enjoy!

About to begin

After months and months of preparation, Constructing Modern Knowledge is about to begin!

Over the next few days, be sure to keep an eye on this blog site for updates and media files related to my event.

Participants will be tagging photos and blogs with CMK08.