2011+May+5+meeting

May 5, 2011 Lunch at Hofbrauhaus 2705 South Water Street Followed by meeting at Asset Inc. 2403 Sydney Street 412-481-7320
 * //For STEAM Grant Study [[image:Cake.jpg align="right"]] – Session 5//**

Assignment: Read Chapters 1,2,3 from the book "Developing More Curious Minds".
 * Lunch will be provided at Hofbrauhaus
 * Snacks and water will be provided during the course of the afternoon.

**__Focus of the Session__** · Present each participant’s most significant “take away(s)”from the STEAM Study Group experience through the lens of these questions: o How have you benefited from thinking about teaching using effective instructional strategies from both the visual arts and science? o How has this experience benefited your students? · Match the thoughts of specialists in the field such as Sir Ken Robinson, and John Barrell, with the learning experiences from this study group · Brainstorm the potential “next steps” for this group, the three districts, and each teacher **__Pre-Session__** · Lunch at the Hofbrauhaus for participants and guests o 11:15 – 12:30 o The Sandwich Shop Menu (see below)

o Leisurely walk back to ASSET **__Session__** · Helen Sobehart from ASSET welcomes guests · Distribute hard copy of the synopsis of the Newsweek cover story (7/19/10) on creativity and briefly address several key points **Phase 2 (R. Korenich, S. Beck, J. Korenich/50 min. 12:55-1:45)** · Facilitate the presenters/presentations from the Fox Chapel Area School District o Audrey Maci o Becky Sonneberg & Katy Wygant o Nanci Goldberg & Fred Rimmel · View the video clip, //Schools Kill Creativity//, featuring Sir Ken Robinson then discuss and get participant reaction to these quotes from the clip : o “We’ve been educated to become good workers, rather than creative thinkers.” o “We are educating people out of their creativity.” o “If you aren’t prepared to be wrong, you won’t grow.” o Briefly address his other work, i.e. video clips and books

**Phase 3 (M. Cain, K. Bordt, J. Korenich/40 min. 1:45-2:25)**

· Facilitate the presenters/presentations from the North Hills School District and ASSET

o Maddy Gillingham, Paula Lutz, Kathy Weber, and Karen Jones

o Renee Williams and Karen Pavlik

o As you watch, what hits you right between the eyes? o How do you relate this video clip to our work in the STEAM Study Group?

**Phase 4 (L. Black, J. Shoaf, D. Zolkowski & R. Korenich/35 min. 2:25-3:00)** · Facilitate the presenters/[|presentations from Riverview School District] o Karla Gearhart o Diane Lohr o Steve Rowe o Lori Brickner o Linda Rosenstock · Facilitate the presentation of the Leadership Team’s //‘Zine//

**Phase 5 (J. Barrell, S. Beck/10 min. 3:00-3:10)** · John will provide us with his insights/thoughts and perspective on our work as we wrap up the sessions: Wrap Up video John Barrell's reflections

**Phase 6 (???/20 min. 3:10-3:30)** **-** Gregg Behr, the Executive Director of the Grable Foundation, addresses the group. · Brainstorming – chart responses to this question, //Where do we go from here as a study group, as independent districts, and as individual educators// ? · Final assignment – Complete the evaluation survey · A parting gift – copy of the story, __A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words__ · Slice the celebratory cake and eat up!!!!! ~ Comments from John Barell: //In conclusion, when the group considered “Next Steps,” one teacher presented this conclusion: We should “allow students time to pursue their own passions.” This involves more self-direction, persistence in searching for answers to their own questions, resolution of problematic situations and time for reflection at appropriate times.//

//This professional development process exemplified what every sun flower does in the Spring, it opens itself to the sun and continues to follow that sun during the course of the day receiving needed nourishment and focus. Similarly, these teachers opened themselves to new worlds of experimentation with time, space, commitment, collaboration and the amazing world of discovering students’ wonderful curiosities once they feel comfortable in safe, non-threatening environment. Imagination and curiosity thrive when we share control of decision making with students allowing their energies to follow their own suns.//