The Tribe Brianna Agomessou STEM Innovation Lead (Investigator of Intellect) Pam Andrews Copyeditor (Executive Wrangler) Andrew Bruening, Ph.D. Chief Innovation Officer (The Fabricator) Paige Shalter Bruening, Ph.D Senior Consultant (Doyenne of Inspiration) Maria Green Cohen, M.A., J.D. Impact Officer (The Reporter) Annalies Corbin, Ph.D. CEO (Chief Goddess) Javier Cruz-Ginez Multimedia Coordinator (Digital Auteur) Cassie Davis Research Assistant (Fact Forager) Lane Fargher Navarro, Ph.D. Director of Research (Quæsitor Magnus) Kayla Galloway Research Field Manager (Culture Detective) Jessa Goldner Assistant Director of Student Experiences (Explorer Extraordinaire) Kelleigh Huey STEM Experience Instructor (Academic Alchemist) Steve Martindale, CPA CFO Sam Kula STEM Coordinator (Sire of STEM) Ashley Price Director of Student Experiences (Khaleesi of Curiosity) Marcy Raymond Strategy Officer (Bridge Builder) Alyssa Reder Director of Project Management (Baroness of Balance) Daijah Robinson Student Experiences Coordinator (Botanical Maverick) Nikki Stancampiano Director of Workforce Development & Columbus EcosySTEM (Workforce Warrior) Lisa Swartzwelder President & Chief Operating Officer (Pilot of Progress) Lori Trent Communications & Development Guru (Renegade of Convention) Annalise Williams Administrative Assistant and HR Representative (Workflow Wizard) Kathy D. Wright, EMBA, M.Ed. Director of Educator Experiences (STEMinista) Meet Our Staff

STEM Innovation Lead Brianna Agomessou STEM Innovation Lead (Investigator of Intellect) I am the new Portable Innovation Labs coordinator. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelors in Criminology with a minor in Forensic Anthropology. I have a passion for education and working with people. I'm passionate about inspiring young minds and fostering a love for learning. I have plenty of experience working with students and educators. I have an eye for detail and believe in putting the best version of myself forward everyday. My goal is to reach the hearts and minds of the people I interact with each and every day. My hobbies include cooking, dancing, and learning about the world around me. Email: bagomessou@pastfoundation.org

PAST Foundation is a hub for innovation. We connect education, industry, and diverse communities to problem solve for the future of work and inspire life-long learning. Linking Learning to Life We are a hub for innovation. We connect education, industry, and diverse communities to problem solve for the future of work and inspire life-long learning. About the PAST Foundation Student Experiences We offer a variety of engaging student programs, providing opportunities for real-world application of skills and knowledge. We can work with you to develop innovative and tailored design challenges and programming for applied learning. Learn More Professional Learning Experiences We collaborate with educators, administrators, and industry leaders to co-create innovative strategies designed to give real meaning to educational content. Learn More Research We evaluate your programs to measure impact and outcomes, all in an effort to help you stay on track and to meet your program goals. Learn More OUR SERVICES PAST offers a variety of services for Educators, Students, and the Community! A NOTE FROM PAST PRESIDENT & CEO Join us on the journey as we help you link learning to life! Twenty-five years ago, two anthropologists, a documentary filmmaker, a graphic designer, and a historian, along with an international team of research scientists, launched the PAST Foundation. By Partnering Anthropology with Science and Technology , we invite the world to design, construct, and engage in experiences that link learning to life. To date, over 2.75 million students and more than 22,000 educators have participated in 596 programs at over 120 locations. We have worked and collaborated with well over 500 business and industry partners and 1,000 school districts have all been influenced by our work and yet, with all we’ve accomplished, we feel there is so much more to do. Today, more than ever before, real-world learning impacts every aspect of our planet. We offer free webinars, innovative and culturally relevant programs for students, educators, and communities, in addition to program evaluation. PAST programs are founded on years of research and iterative design. We’re excited for what the next twenty-five years will bring. Join us on the journey as we help you link learning to life! What’s New at PAST VIEW ALL RESOURCES PAST in Action Inspirational stories of school districts and teachers exploring new and exciting approaches to learning. Student Experience Reports We “bridge” students from traditional, lecture-based learning methods to transdisciplinary, problem-based learning methods. PAST Research Reports Research and Data amassed from K–12 Case Studies. PAST RESOURCES We believe offering resources is important to our mission of transforming education and Linking Learning to Life! OUR STAFF Meet The PAST Tribe! MEET OUR STAFF OUR PARTNERS & SPONSORS Join us in our mission to Link Learning to Life! Showcase of Marysville STEM Early College High School (Central Ohio) Wed, Oct 22 Marysville STEM Early College HighSchool Closed UPCOMING EVENTS Program Offerings & Events Check out our latest educator and student program offerings and events! Student Events Educator Events

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Jefferson Pestronk, Executive Director at Modern States, to discuss how their free online courses and College Board’s CLEP exams make college credit accessible to everyone. Learners can take self-paced courses, earn vouchers, and bring passing CLEP scores to nearly 3,000 colleges—no tuition required on the Modern States side. Jefferson shares how this model supports high schoolers, college students, and adult learners alike through flexible, scalable pathways. We also talk about AI tutoring, virtual cohorts, and statewide programs like Ohio’s new policy recognizing CLEP in diploma metrics. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org We unbox: How Modern States + CLEP unlocks free, transcripted college credit for learners anywhere. Who it serves—from teens to comebackers—and flexible ways schools embed it. Funding the path: philanthropic support, employer benefits, and state policies. New supports for self-paced success: AI tutoring and virtual cohorts. Ohio’s policy shift elevating CLEP in accountability and diploma seals. Resources: Modern States  — Create a free account and browse the full course library; look for the green “Sign Up” buttons. College Board CLEP  — Check which colleges accept which exams and the score needed to earn credit. Connect with Jefferson Pestronk on LinkedIn Transcript Produced by NOVA #LearningUnboxed,  #ShowNotes, #STEM, #STEMforteachers, #Students, #Teachers, #TeachingStrategies, #CollegeAccess, #CLEP, #ModernStates

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Danny Bauer, host of the Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast and a champion for reimagining education through leadership. Danny shares how his journey from assistant principal to leading a global community of “ruckus makers” has been fueled by a belief that leadership is service and schools must evolve beyond the status quo. His perspective challenges us to think differently about what school is for and how leaders can inspire students and educators alike. We explore the importance of creating schools that kids actually want to show up for, the role of curiosity in shaping the future of learning, and why agency and authenticity are essential in leadership. From transforming abandoned spaces into learning labs to helping principals embrace bold, creative choices, Danny illustrates how disruption can open doors to new possibilities. This conversation dives into leadership, agency, AI in education, and reimagining what makes school meaningful for both learners and leaders. Join us as we unpack how to build communities of growth, create irresistible learning environments, and embrace the power of disruption in education. To learn more, visit:   pastfoundation.org We unbox: Leadership as service in transforming education Creating schools that inspire students to “opt in” How curiosity and agency drive meaningful learning Resources: Better Leaders, Better Schools Learning Unboxed Podcast Follow Danny Bauer on Instagram:   @betterleadersbetterschools Transcript Produced by NOVA #LearningUnboxed,  #ShowNotes, #STEM, #STEMforteachers, #Students, #Teachers, #TeachingStrategies, #EducationalLeadership, #InnovationInEducation, #FutureOfLearning, #SchoolTransformation, #EdTech

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Craig Randall, author of Trust-Based Observations, to explore how great teaching thrives when educators feel psychologically safe. We look at why traditional evaluation systems—rubrics, ratings, and high-stakes observations—stifle innovation, and how Craig’s trust-first model creates space for teachers to take risks and grow. Craig shares his three-part approach: short, unannounced, strengths-based classroom visits; reflective conversations that begin with questions rather than judgments; and concrete, teacher-chosen support. From asking permission before offering suggestions to co-teaching or modeling strategies, each step builds trust so educators feel safe to experiment. We also talk about scaling impact—aligning professional learning to core pedagogy, tapping in-house expertise, and working within mandated systems without losing sight of trust. The result is what John Hattie calls “collective teacher efficacy in action”—a culture where teachers share wins, iterate openly, and drive stronger student learning. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org We unbox: Why ratings of pedagogy erode trust—and how mindset-focused feedback changes the game. The mechanics of a strengths-based observation cycle (short, unannounced, reflective, supportive). “Marbles in the jar”: lowering vulnerability to unlock risk-taking and innovation. Turning observations into ongoing PD and collective teacher efficacy. Practical ways to work within evaluation mandates while centering trust. Resources: Learn more at TrustBased.com Read Trust-Based Observations by Craig Randall Connect with Craig on LinkedIn Transcript Produced by NOVA #LearningUnboxed,  #ShowNotes, #STEM, #STEMforteachers, #Students, #Teachers, #TeachingStrategies, #EducationLeadership #TeacherDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety

The PAST Foundation presents a dynamic professional development series designed to support educators in implementing student agency and engagement within their practice. You can expect 6 hours (3 two hour sessions) of live virtual workshop time and two additional 1 hour virtual check-ins with our staff for this course. There is an option to add an onsite visit from our staff at an additional cost. Please contact Alyssa Reder for more information | Email: areder@pastfoundation.org 6 hours of advisory system exploration: - Strategies for Fostering Student Agency - Empowering Student Voice and Choice - Guidance with Student Autonomy - Facilitating Real-World Learning Experiences - Leveraging Industry and Community Partnerships

Students will bring their ideas to life as they learn design and rapid prototyping skills. Students will visualize abstract concepts and structures, enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills while gaining practical experience in digital design, prototyping, and manufacturing.