admin's blog

Creating Design Partnerships – Presentation at the A+DEN (Architecture and Design Network) Conference

The organizers of the annual AAO and A+DEN conference asked me to give a presentation about how designers can best partner with schools and community centers. Drawing on my work with the Salvadori Center, I gave a talk entitled “From the Inside: What Schools Really Need from Your Design Education Program." 

Learning in 3D - Presentation at the National Science Teachers Association

I have been a proud member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) for about 15 years and enjoy their conferences (and publications) very much. I have presented at countless NSTA conferences over the years and this month, I traveled to Baltimore to lead a workshop/presentation on using bridges as a means to create integrated science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning experiences.

Talking Montessori – Presentation at John Jay College and the Italian Cultural Institute

October is Italian Heritage and Culture month, and I was honored to be invited to give not one, but two, presentations on one of Italy’s greatest gifts to education, Dr. Maria Montessori. 

Design like you mean it, kids!

Design competitions and charettes are regular occurrences for architects, urban planners, engineers, and other design professionals. Creating something with a team in a finite time period to solve a challenge is a right of passage that begins in university and continues throughout the career trajectory.

Having Fun With The National Science Foundation

One of the best parts of my job is spending time with other educators and thinkers: sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, developing collaborations. I recently spent nine days on the road doing National Science Foundation (NSF) related work. 

Engineering Equals Better Science Education

For 17 years I've been a science educator and yet I am still amazed by how poorly science is done in many schools. Of special note, is the real lack of Engineering in K-12 education, as reported recently by the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council. According to their research, engineering is the "neglected E of STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Math]. The report also points out the limited amount of teacher education in engineering.

Learning In 3D

Recently the Burj Khalifa -- the world’s tallest tower -- opened in Dubai. At 2,717 feet tall it easily outdistances the previous record-holder, Taipei 101, by 1,047 feet — and is almost twice as tall as the Empire State Building. Aside from questions about the money spent or whether this was a good use of resources, the sheer achievement should be celebrated, not just by architects, engineers or photographers, but by educators – K-12 educators – in 3D.