Field Experience

Truthfully, experiential learning is a great way to examine the steps in higher ordered thinking and decision making but sometimes it is difficult to create such experiences in the classroom.

Progress In Research

New students enter the Principles of Learning cadre while they grow in content knowledge in their broader studies as well as science and math. Returning students in their last two years in the Fellowship will work to earn a Master Student ranking through selected courses, their own research project and hopefully an internship within a local university laboratory or summer program.

Higher Order Thinking

The liberal arts perspective is that this kind of learning and integrated thinking is how citizens become functioning members of society (Gelmon 2009).

Mentoring

The concepts may be difficult to understand and many students have grown up, literally, with the belief that no one uses algebra and biology in the ‘real world.’ Adult mentors and teachers will help find applications for the concepts learned.

Fellowship

Selection of members is critical for camaraderie so that standards are kept high while students of similar interests in math and science can collaborate.

Seamless Integration

While the goal of STEM education appears to be known, something has not been actualized. Part of what needs to be imparted overall is a kind of science and math literacy.

A Classical Approach

Studying the History of Nature and Science provides an account of natural history using insights and evidence from mathematics, history, philosophy, and science. With content spanning the beginning of time to modernity, students in this course explore how humans are connected to the natural world, the history of mathematical and scientific inquiries, and ideas about the future and changes that are shaping our understanding of nature. Students will engage in examination of primary and secondary documents, class discussions, as well as experiments.