I really like the idea of developing inquisitive observation skills to address local quality of life issues. I constantly use funds of knowledge theory in my courses and was wondering if you could share some ways you promote these observation skills with diverse high schoolers?

I’m very curious to know more about the impact that this has on the students. It sounds like it could be truly transformative for students in the community.

Is there any connection between the Innovation Institute and the students’ in-school learning, or have you seen instances where student work in the Innovation Institute starts to bleed into their everyday practices?

This program is exactly what undeserved and disadvantaged students need… something meaningful to them and something that will directly impact their community.
Have you thought about how a program like this could be integrated into the NYC public school system?

I love your approach of cross-disciplinary STEM…that’s what it’s all about! How do you recruit students into your program? Do they come back each year or do you have a new set of students? Are you tracking them to see if they do go into a STEM field in college or after they graduate from high school?

This is such an exciting project. As a linguistics profesor at MIT, directing a STEM initiative in Haiti, and because of a Forum I recently participated in (called “What is education for?”), I’ve been thinking/asking a lot about the traditional divide between STEM and the Humanities, and various ways to bridge that divide in constructive ways. One such way may involve enlisting STEM in building up more robust political participation among students. Do you see ways in which the Innovation Institute could contribute to such efforts? (For more details on this important discussion about the STEM-Humanities “marriage,” the Forum is online at http://bostonreview.net/forum/danielle-allen-wh... )

Hi Michael –
That was a great article! In the program we have not been talking about the affect or effect of political issues, but that would be an interesting addition. Given the research cited in the article, it would only benefit the participants to integrate a piece if that into our discussions. One of the ways we can do that is by looking into the local policies that guide some of the decision making. One big area would just be looking at political zones and distribution of resources to see if problems that affect our local neighborhood show up in other places or if there is a change in the resources allocated to surrounding neighborhoods. That would help them identify another layer of influence over the decisions that impact the community.

Hello Priya, I’m glad you found the article helpful. Yes, I too agree that the political dimension would add value to your project. Indeed the nexus between problem solving, innovation, entrepreneurship and local communities is rich with possibilities for political action toward the greater good, with STEM helping shape better policies, bottom up… It’s been an enriching conversation, and I wish you and your team all the very best!