A Solution: Project-based programs that are Student-Directed.

In just 13 months, a catastrophic asteroid is hurtling towards our planet. Now, consider this: who would you want by your side to tackle this impending crisis? A mere SAT score topper, or an individual brimming with inventive problem-solving prowess, capable of thinking beyond the confines of convention?

Present education systems seem to fall short in nurturing the next generation of solution designers. High school science and engineering students find themselves navigating a curriculum that prematurely divulges the conclusion. Lessons come neatly packaged, spoon-feeding students with a formulaic roadmap that seemingly guarantees an unobstructed trajectory to resolution. Equations, jargon, methodologies – all are committed to memory through catchy tunes and memory aids, only to be regurgitated in exams.

What remains conspicuously absent from this pedagogical approach is the profound temporal investment made by scientists, mathematicians, and engineers in unraveling complex problems. Failure, often dismissed, emerges as an indispensable component of the solution, affording students insight into the problem’s essence and its boundaries. Failure also contributes invaluable data, enriching the process of actual problem-solving.

The scientific method, laudable for probing the already-known, stumbles when confronting problems that have yet to materialize. A notable omission is the art of design thinking, a void lamentable given its capacity to foster inquisitiveness – an integral facet of critical thought. Framing the ‘right’ questions is paramount, steering research toward the very heart of the issue. It’s here that students should cultivate their own uncharted models, ripe for experimentation. Guided by their pursuits, students can develop adaptability and resilience through project-driven exploration, imbibing the essence of flexibility and embracing change.

As a finishing touch, collaborative teamwork completes this holistic education. Communication flourishes, elucidating solutions, and their far-reaching implications. In forging solutions together, students refine the skill of articulation and cultivate a nuanced understanding of the consequences tied to adopting particular resolutions. In this crucible of shared endeavor, the architects of tomorrow’s solutions are forged.

Ready to embrace a solution? Picture the potency of a student-driven Project-based program. At Leonardo’s Apprentice, we’ve meticulously crafted such programs and the best part? They’re open for all, students and educators alike. Our approach infuses the cutting-edge—think new technologies and the latest scientific strides—to ensure that our offerings stay relevant and impactful.

Our current spotlight? The burgeoning realm of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). Despite its current infancy, A.I. has become a resounding chorus in both the business and scientific realms. It arrived bearing promises of a brighter future, yet its implications and usage contexts remain hazy. Programmed by humans, A.I. inherently inherits the biases and preconceptions of its creators. We’ve found that the veil of total objectivity is marred by the all-too-human fingerprints on its design.

The Leonardo Apprentice Foundation is a gateway for students to the world of emerging technology, with a singular aspiration: to make this technology an integral part of their future. Our vision centers on propelling the forthcoming generation of scientists, engineers, and designers, arming them with the essential trifecta—knowledge, tools, and unbridled motivation.

But here’s where we beckon you. We’re not voyaging alone; we’re questing for like-minded allies within the echelons of business, science, and engineering. Collaborators who see the worth of our endeavor and the potential within these budding minds. After all, the same students we nurture today could very well be the solution architects of your challenges tomorrow. Imagine the legacy we can craft together.

So, let’s unite; let’s stand as a force for the sake of what’s to come. Join our ranks at Leonardo’s Apprentice, and let’s sculpt a brighter, more innovative tomorrow, one young mind at a time. Follow us: #LeonardoApprentice

Peter Romero, M.Ed., is a professional educator, public speaker, and founder of the Leonardo’s Apprentice Foundation, a 501(3)c educational nonprofit with the vision to empower the next generation of scientists, engineers, and designers by providing them the knowledge, tools, and motivation to succeed.

https://LeonardosApprentice.org #education,#PBL, #STEM, #elearning, #artificialIntelligence,