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Alyssa Reder Director of OSLN Central OH STEM Hub Alyssa first joined PAST in 2014 as an Administrative Assistant to STEM Programming and Research. In 2021, her role shifted to STEM Program Coordinator where she coordinated, created, and collaborated within all areas of PAST, including work with students, educators and industry. Continuing with her work, Alyssa is now the Director of Project Management at the PAST Foundation. Prior to her start at PAST, Alyssa worked in Administrative and Educational Research Field work at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research & Policy at the Ohio State University. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Childhood Education, Alyssa decided to pursue the world of educational research. This is where she found her true passion for the transformation of education for administrators, teachers, and students. Alyssa’s work at Ohio State fueled her desire to continue working within the field of development and improvement of educational practices across all grades and subjects. Alyssa received her B.A. in Middle Childhood Education from The Ohio State University. She received her teaching license through Ashland University’s Bachelor’s Plus Program. Email : areder@pastfoundation.org | LinkedIN : @Alyssa Reder

Explore Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life. Discover innovative ways to make education relevant today. Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life A guide to transforming education with practical, student-centered strategies Buy the Book Education is not broken—it’s simply no longer relevant in the way it was designed over a century ago. Hacking School offers a bold path forward. Written by PAST Foundation CEO Dr. Annalies Corbin, this book introduces five foundational strategies to help educators reconnect learning with the world students live in today. The Five Essential Strategies for Educational Transformation These practical frameworks are designed to empower educators and resonate with students, aiming to make learning both meaningful and relevant. Ultimately, “Hacking School” is a call to action for educators, administrators, and policymakers to embrace change and lead towards a more effective educational system that prepares students for success in a rapidly evolving world. Student Agency Culturally Relevant Education Mastery Learning Transdisciplinary Teaching Problem-Based Learning Upcoming Online Courses Explore the online courses currently being developed to complement the book. These courses will dive deeper into each of the five key strategies and provide practical insights and tools for educators to implement in their classrooms. Stay tuned for more details and registration information! View All Courses About Annalies Corbin Affectionately called, the Chief Goddess, Dr. Annalies Corbin is a nationally recognized researcher, speaker, author and foremost expert connecting scientific research with education and business and industry within communities. Learning Unboxed Podcast “Learning Unboxed” tackles the outdated nature of the K-12 education system which, though not broken, operates on principles established over a century ago. This podcast features Annalies Corbin and her guests as they explore innovative educational strategies and practices, offering fresh perspectives on teaching, learning, and the future of work. It complements the themes of “Hacking School” by providing additional insights and inspiration for educators aiming to transform and modernize their approach to education. Listen to Learning Unboxed Learn more about Annalies Ready to Link Learning to Life? Today, more than ever before, real-world learning impacts every aspect of our planet. PAST Foundation offers free webinars, innovative and culturally relevant programs for students, educators, and communities, in addition to program evaluation. Our programs are founded on years of research and iterative design. Join us on the journey as we help you link learning to life! Buy the Book Listen to the Audiobook

Explore our Annual Reports to see the impact of PAST Foundation. View the current Annual Report and learn more about our mission. Annual Reports View Current Annual Report Each year, the PAST Foundation publishes an Annual Report to reflect on our work, celebrate accomplishments, and share where we’re headed. In addition to the subject matter typically found in Annual Reports, we share exciting results and activities from our Evaluation & Knowledge Capture studies, camps for students and teachers, the progress of TPBL and the future for PAST transformational work being done in schools throughout the country. 2024 Annual Report Explore Previous Reports 2022-2023 Annual Report 2020 Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report 2017 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2015 Annual Report 2013 – 2014 Annual Report 2012 Annual Report 2011 Annual Report 2010 Annual Report 2009 Annual Report 2008 Annual Report

Discover how our Strategic Consulting services can transform your organization. Partner with us for tailored strategies and actionable insights. Strategic Consulting What We Do Our consulting work is rooted in design thinking, transdisciplinary learning, and systems change. We tailor our approach to your goals —offering insight, collaboration, and actionable strategy. We help partners: Co-design educational programs aligned to real-world outcomes Facilitate strategic planning and ideation sessions Develop innovative community engagement models Integrate STEM and workforce readiness into existing initiatives Evaluate programs for continuous improvement and impact Who We Work With School & District Leaders looking to align learning with student passions and workforce needs Foundations & Nonprofits developing education or community initiatives Business & Industry Partners Government & Policy Organizations building scalable, equity-focused solutions Why Partner with PAST With experience across 29 states and international projects, our team brings a unique combination of research, practice, and creativity. From launching the PAST Innovation Lab to shaping national models for education reform, we’ve helped hundreds of organizations take bold steps forward. Our track record includes: 03 Thousands of successful collaborations with schools, companies, and communities 02 Smart 50 Award for Top Innovation 01 US Department of Education Excellence in Innovation Award PAST is truly a remarkable group of thinkers and innovators. Partnering with them to create their space, PAST Innovation Lab is a place where ideas come to fruition.” — Todd Boyer, Principal, WSA Studio Let’s Build What’s Next If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, we’d love to connect. Get In Touch

Kayla Galloway Research Field Manager Kayla Galloway joined PAST in 2014 as a member of the PAST’s Research team. Since that time, Kayla has contributed to major research projects evaluating Ohio STEM education programs as well as program implementation in multiple states. Kayla has applied her ethnographic skills in creative ways, developing her work to focus on analysis and graphic presentation of evaluation data. She has contributed to dozens of evaluation reports during her career at the PAST Foundation. In addition to her work with the research team, Kayla is the Onsite Event Coordinator for Innovation1003 , a social enterprise of the PAST Foundation. In this work Kayla is part of a team that provides event services for the PAST Innovation Lab, offering an exciting inspirational center for diverse community groups including those working to build public/private partnerships in STEM education involving educators, private industry, as well as PAST program partners. She also enjoys collaborating with her fellow colleagues to plan and execute internal events, such as PAST’s annual fundraiser. When not at PAST, Kayla can be found pursuing her passion for the outdoors, kayaking and hiking Ohio waterways and trails, and is active in canvasing events for local and national elections. Kayla received her B.A in Anthropology with a focus in Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology from The Ohio State University in 2015. Email: kgalloway@pastfoundation.org | LinkedIN: @Kayla Galloway

Kathy D. Wright, EMBA, M.Ed. Director of Educator Experiences Kathy is a 26 year veteran educator of Cincinnati Public Schools where she served as a science educator, program facilitator, instructional coach and administrator. Kathy now works as an education, culture and leadership consultant and works with organizations to develop innovative practices that lead to extraordinary outcomes. Kathy is also the former Division Director of Multicultural/Equity in Science Education for the National Science Teachers Association Kathy has Bachelor degrees in Biology and Secondary Science Education, an Executive MBA from Howard University, and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Secondary Science Education from the University of Cincinnati. Email: kwright@pastfoundation.org

Daijah Robinson Student Experiences Coordinator Daijah Robinson came to PAST as a summer intern in 2022. She graduated from Central State University majoring in Agriculture Education in 2023. Then accepted the position to be a Student Experience Coordinator for the PAST Foundation in 2023. Daijah has incredible energy for agriculture, and advocating for youth. Her objective in the Agriculture field is to spread awareness and make sustainable gardens in underserved regions. Daijah Plans to develop innovation in the horticulture industry by leveraging strategies from the PAST Foundation. Email:Drobinson@pastfoundation.org

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Alignment to the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model The skills and key competencies found in Embedded Systems and SMART Design course are strongly aligned with the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, especially the Electrical/Electronics strand, which focuses on technical competencies for designing, building, analyzing, and documenting electrical systems, PCBs, and embedded devices for manufacturing contexts. Comparison Table Performance Indicators Alignment Create and Fabricate a Functional PCB: The Ohio standards expect students to design, construct, assemble, and test PCBs using CAM and EDA software and practical fabrication methods. Implement Embedded Programming: Embedded programming and system integration directly map to the Digital Electronics strand, focusing on microcontroller architectures, coding, and logic functions. Integrate Sensors and Actuators: Standards require learners to combine components per diagrams, flowcharts, and schematics to enable system functionality and data collection. Generate Design Documentation: Documentation protocols, digital recordkeeping, and reflection are core to Ohio’s model, ensuring designs are reproducible, reviewable, and improve learning. Skills Learned Alignment Electrical CAD/PCB Design : Emphasizes use of EDA tools, safe component layout, wiring standards, and compliance with industry documentation and testing procedures. Microcontroller Integration and Debugging : Ohio standards require system integration knowledge, schematic reading, pin and wiring assignment, and reliability testing. Embedded Programming Fundamentals: Learners must understand microcontroller memory, programming environments, protocol literacy, and board-level communication. Debugging and Documentation: The standards prioritize system-level debugging (both hardware and software), along with thorough documentation and design rationale for professional communication. Ohio Model Key Themes for Electronics Strand 2 (Electrical/Electronics): Circuit design, analysis, simulation, troubleshooting, fabrication, protection, and documentation. Strand 5 (Design & Development): Schematic capture, board fabrication, and reporting processes. Knowledge & Information: Digital documentation, communications, design records, and technical reflection. Every listed electronics and embedded systems skill, competency, and performance indicator directly reflects a required technical content area in the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model—providing learners with validated, employer-driven expertise for careers in advanced electronics and manufacturing.

Connect with us to link learning to life. Discover our programs and collaboration opportunities. Reach out to connect and get involved today! Connect Let’s Link Learning to Life—Together Have a question? Want to collaborate? Curious about our programs or how to get involved? We’d love to hear from you! You can reach us using the contact form below, or connect directly by phone, email, or mail. Not sure who to contact? You might find the answer in our Frequently Asked Questions Contact Information PAST Innovation Lab 1003 Kinnear Road Columbus, Ohio 43212 614-340-1208 info@pastfoundation.org

Sam Kula Portable Innovation Lab Lead Sam Kula is a STEM coordinator at The PAST Foundation. He worked at PAST in 2017 and 2018 helping run the Innovators Club and Summer programs while finishing his degree. Sam has spent time post-graduation working with suspended and expelled students at the YMCA’s Juvenile Justice Program as well as writing and delivering philanthropy-focused curriculum for See Kids Dream before returning to PAST to work with Portable Innovation Labs and The Ready Rangers Program. He chose to return to PAST because he values the lasting impact their programs and educators have on students. Sam has a BA in Child & Youth Studies and a minor in Mathematics from Ohio State University. Sam’s hobbies include tabletop games, disc golf, and food.

Paige Shalter Bruening, Ph.D Director of MicroSchools & Project & Grant Coordination Dr. Paige Shalter Bruening has a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership, with specializations in Educational Psychology and Teacher Education, from The Ohio State University. She began her career as a middle school teacher and taught in schools in Columbus, OH and Columbia, SC. She later moved to Capital University where she was an Associate Professor and taught Educational Psychology, Developing as an Educator and Social Studies methods courses. She supervised student teachers, was the Assessment and Accreditation Coordinator for the Education Department and served as the Chair of the College Faculty. She left Capital to become a school liaison at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion and eventually led the Hospital School Program there. She worked with the hospital, families and schools to assist children who had been admitted to easily and effectively re-enter the educational system after hospitalization and conducted professional development with local school district counselors on the importance of collaboration between the hospital and schools. Paige began consulting work for The PAST Foundation in November 2025 and has been instrumental in grant writing, professional development, the creation of Microschools and developing industry partnerships. In her spare time, Paige enjoys cooking, reading, crocheting and doing any sort of puzzle. Email: pshalterbruening@pastfoundation.org