Do We Need Widget Makers or Solution Finders?
Increasingly, we see stark evidence that evolving and adapting our educational system is not just about America’s future, but also that of Planet Earth.
Who we choose to educate, how we educate, and why we educate represent critical questions facing this country and the world. The increased filtering and narrowing of curricula may result in learners who take tests well, but who are ill-equipped to think on their feet as the solution finders we need for the rest of this century. To work on problems from global warming to nations in dispute, the world needs the next generation of diverse thinkers, inventors, designers, and bridge builders. It does not need adults who are good at four choices – one answer work.
Who we choose to educate, how we educate, and why we educate represent critical questions facing this country and the world. The increased filtering and narrowing of curricula may result in learners who take tests well, but who are ill-equipped to think on their feet as the solution finders we need for the rest of this century. To work on problems from global warming to nations in dispute, the world needs the next generation of diverse thinkers, inventors, designers, and bridge builders. It does not need adults who are good at four choices – one answer work.
To date, America has generated more solution-finders in engineering, health and medicine, technology, environmental sciences, applied sciences, and space exploration than any other country in the world. We’ve grown a space where exceptional talent can emerge and become part of a pool of creators, inventors, designers, engineers, builders, producers, and makers. We need to create learning spaces where educators can work as close to the classroom as possible to scale work that promotes choice, creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thought. How kids gain access to learning opportunities designed to do this kind of work is far less