This cover article of the January 19th Education Week is about a mentor program that puts high school students in situations that most college kids only dream about. Designing buildings and complex engineering projects. I am a full supporter of any program that helps students see the real world applications of what they are learning in the classroom. It gives them context for math, science, writing and other subjects that may seem boring when taken out of context.
These programs help fill a need for relevancy in education. In this article they are focusing on the STEM subjects but this model could be used in every field. For instance, locally, there are several charter schools that put the focus on the arts or environmental science. If we had these programs for things such as small business, politics, or any other manner of industry we could insure a strong source of future employers and employees in every field.
I agree with you, Josh, about the value of programs like this. Did you notice this operates as an after school program? How do we get programs like this incorporated into the regular classes in our public schools?
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in this program. I think if I had had something like this I may have found a direction or interest much earlier. That kind of exposure would have been great.
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