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Fabrication and Design Fundamentals Anticipated Time to Credential: 60 hours | Cost Estimate: $875 (**Additional costs associated with this course are the responsibility of the student or school district. Costs are related to materials needed to complete weekly and the capstone projects. Weekly projects cost ~$50/weekly project and ~$200 for capstone project.) This entry-level credential equips learners with the fundamental tools and mindset necessary for digital fabrication. Students acquire foundational skills in 2D/3D design, 3D printing, and scanning, while simultaneously developing project management and documentation practices essential for industry readiness. Upon successful completion and passing of this course, you will be eligible for the Fabrication Fundamentals Credential offered by The PAST Foundation’s Innovation Fab Lab. This credential is endorsed by esteemed industry partners, including The Honda Corporation, Honeywell, SenseIC, and The Fab Foundation. If you are a teacher who has already completed this credential and have access to the necessary equipment you are eligible to have students participate in this credential course. Please contact the PAST Foundation Fab Lab at fablab@pastfoundation.org . Sign Up All Credential Pathway Course Overview This entry-level credential equips learners with the fundamental tools and mindset necessary for digital fabrication. Students acquire foundational skills in 2D/3D design, 3D printing, and scanning, while simultaneously developing project management and documentation practices essential for industry readiness. Upon successful completion and passing of this course, you will be eligible for the Fabrication Fundamentals Credential offered by The PAST Foundation’s Innovation Fab Lab. This credential is endorsed by esteemed industry partners, including The Honda Corporation, Honeywell, SenseIC, and The Fab Foundation. If you are a teacher who has already completed this credential and have access to the necessary equipment you are eligible to have students participate in this credential course. Please contact the PAST Foundation Fab Lab at fablab@pastfoundation.org . What You'll Explore Performance Indicators Create and Communicate an Initial Capstone Project Proposal: Develop a comprehensive project proposal that effectively communicates the project objectives, scope, and potential outcomes. Navigate and Apply Version Control Tools: Familiarize yourself with version control software and utilize it effectively for collaborative project management and code revision. Select and Utilize 2D and 3D Design Software: Master the use of 2D and 3D design software to create visually appealing and functional designs. Produce Functional Objects through 3D Printing and Scanning: Implement 3D printing and scanning techniques to fabricate functional objects from digital models. Key Competencies Project Planning & Digital Documentation 2D & 3D CAD Modeling Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Digital Object Scanning Introduction to Molding & Casting Introduction to Web Development & Version Control Skills You'll Learn 2D and 3D CAD modeling 2D - Design with vector and raster tools. Students use vector-based programs like Inkscape and Affinity Designer, as well as raster-based tools like GIMP, to create planar designs. These designs often include drawing geometric shapes, text, and preparing files for laser cutting or vinyl cutting. 2D Design: Create shapes with holes, design patterns for laser cutting, and make outlines for mechanical parts. For example, document the process of constructing a box with holes utilizing a 2D CAD program, subsequently manipulating surfaces to facilitate further 3D endeavors. 2D - Use tools like Affinity Designer, Cut2D Pro, BoxySVG and GIMP to design and modify images for fabrication, such as logos, signs, or circuit board graphics 3D - Object and Mold Design: Model both objects and their corresponding molds. For example, use Rhino to model a chess piece or other game piece (positive), then design a negative mold around it, considering manufacturing constraints like end mill diameter and demolding angles. 3D - Mechanical Part Modeling: Design mechanical assemblies in programs like Fusion360, Onshape, and Solidworks. This process includes modeling intricate components, including link beams and wheel swing arms, assigning appropriate materials, and rendering colored models for visualization and animation purposes. 3D Replication of Project Components: In the context of capstone projects, students engage in the replication and refinement of project components employing diverse 3D CAD tools. This process entails a comparative analysis of workflows and functionalities across various software platforms. Additive Manufacturing Students will design and 3D print objects not possible with subtractive manufacturing Students will create functional prototypes Students will evaluate 3D printer design rules and constraints Print angle tests and overhang and bridging tests Design Concepts Students will apply design thinking, CAD, digital fabrication workflows, integration of electronics mechanics, full system integration, and documentation and communication. 3D Printing processes and production Students will utilize 3D modeling, slicing, and print preparation techniques to design and manufacture functional components. 3D scanning and digital object capture Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to digitize real-world objects and seamlessly incorporate those scans into digital fabrication processes. Students gain practical knowledge of how 3D scanning can be utilized for reverse engineering purposes. Digital Documentation Students will develop and maintain a personal website and portfolio showcasing their skills and accomplishments. Project management fundamentals Students will meticulously document the defining scope of the capstone project, a detailed breakdown of tasks and deliverables, resource allocation, the establishment of deadlines, and ongoing progress monitoring. Additionally, they will implement iterative and spiral development methodologies, effectively manage parallel tasks, and ensure comprehensive documentation of the entire project lifecycle. Industry Jobs You Can Obtain With This Credential Alignment with the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model The competencies and skills found in the Fabrication and Design Fundamentals course closely align with the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, both in technical expertise and essential workplace capabilities expected by Ohio manufacturers. Below is a direct comparison between the course objectives/skills and major strands from Ohio's official model. Learn More Alignment to Advanced CTE and Credentials Matter This curriculum aligns closely with Advanced CTE (Career & Technical Education) principles and expectations—particularly within clusters such as Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Technology—by integrating rigorous technical skills, project management, digital communication, and hands-on technology with career readiness and academic standards. Learn More

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.

Discover the PAST Innovation Lab, a hub for applied STEM education in Columbus. Explore how PAST Innovation Lab fuels the future of education. PAST Innovation Lab Where Innovation Meets Education The PAST Innovation Lab is a 32,000 square foot research, development, and programming hub for applied STEM education. Located at the gateway of Columbus’s Kinnear Road Tech Corridor (just west of The Ohio State University). The Lab is the headquarters of the PAST Foundation and a central site for student experiences, educator development, and collaborative problem solving. Fueling the Future of Education The PAST Innovation Lab isn’t just a building, it’s a launchpad for what’s next in education. It’s where educators try new methods, students build confidence and curiosity, and partners come together to design solutions that make learning more relevant, engaging, and equitable. Real change takes vision and partnership. If you’re a funder, donor, or organization passionate about transforming education through applied STEM, we invite you to join us. Become a Partner Make a Donation Designed for Discovery An 18,000 square foot flexible learning and R&D space A 16,000 square foot Fab Lab and robotics arena Specialized zones for student programming, prototyping, and educator training Whether you're visiting for a summer STEM camp, participating in educator professional development, or collaborating on a community-based workforce initiative, the Innovation Lab is where ideas come to life! Explore the Fab Lab Who We Serve 01 Students After-school and summer programs introduce students to real-world challenges and STEM career pathways through immersive, hands-on experiences. Student Programs 02 Educators The Innovation Lab hosts both in-person and virtual professional learning experiences that equip educators to implement transdisciplinary, problem-based learning. Educator Programs 03 Community & Industry Partners We partner with schools, higher ed institutions, community leaders, and industry professionals to co-create relevant, research-backed programming that prepares learners for the future of work. Parter with Us What’s Next? Learn how we bring this mission to life through immersive programs, applied research, and powerful partnerships. Contact Us View Photo Gallery Take a Virtual Tour

Explore our Portable Innovation Labs for hands-on STEM learning in Ohio classrooms. Discover how Portable Innovation Labs make an impact today! Portable Innovation Labs Expanding STEM Access Across Ohio Our Portable Innovation Labs (PILs) bring high-quality, hands-on STEM learning to classrooms across Ohio at no cost. Powered by PAST and in partnership with Battelle, these labs are designed to support teachers and students with tools and experiences that schools may not be able to access on their own. Reserve a Lab Why Educators Love Our Labs Nurturing STEM Identity Portable Innovation Labs empower students and educators to see themselves as innovators, problem-solvers, and future STEM leaders through hands-on, real-world learning. No Cost Learning PAST Foundation provides PILs at no cost to ensure every educator and student has access to high-quality STEM experiences regardless of available resources. Diverse Lab Experiences Each PIL offers unique, ready-to-use lab experiences designed to spark curiosity and connect learning to real-world careers. Labs spanning PreK-12th grade content, there is a lab for everyone in every subject! Where to Borrow a Lab Portable Innovation Labs are available for free at several hub locations across Ohio, thanks to our partnership with Battelle and local collaborators. Each hub may offer a slightly different selection of labs, so check your nearest location for availability. Our ultimate goal is to make STEM education more accessible and engaging, and we believe that our Portable Innovation Labs are a significant step towards achieving this vision. How It Works Labs are free to borrow for 2–3 weeks Options may include equipment, materials, and curriculum Pickup and return is required at the hub Inventory varies by location PAST Foundation Serving Central Ohio Headquartered in Columbus, the PAST Foundation serves as the central distribution site for Portable Innovation Labs. Educators can borrow labs directly from the PAST Innovation Lab to support STEM exploration, problem-based learning, and real-world skill development. View Available Labs North Point ESC Serving a 13 county region in Northeast Ohio Northpoint ESC is a regional hub offering access to PAST's Portable Innovation Labs. Educators in this region can borrow labs to expand classroom learning with real-world STEM tools and strategies. View Available Labs ESC of Eastern Ohio Serving more than 20 districts in Eastern Ohio The ESC of Eastern Ohio (ESCEO) provides partner districts and their students with experience, leadership, and expertise. Each lab supports hands-on exploration and instructional flexibility. View Available Labs Columbus Metropolitan Library Serving Columbus Metropolitan Library branch staff Library staff can borrow Portable Innovation Labs to enhance programming and provide students with meaningful STEM learning experiences. Labs support the PAST Design Cycle and align with inquiry-based learning practices. Note: Only Columbus Metropolitan Library employees may borrow these labs for use within their branch programs. View Available Labs Center of Youth Futures (Cincinnati) Serving the Greater Cincinnati region At the Center of Youth Futures, they believe in making dreams accessible. This hub location is located on the University of Cincinnati campus. Labs are available to all educators in the surrounding areas! View Available Labs Brown County ESC Serving a 13-county region in Northeast Ohio Brown County ESC is an agency that is a regional educational services provider that supports and assists 6 partner districts in southern Ohio. View Available Labs Southeast Ohio STEM Hub Serving the Southeast Ohio region Southeast Ohio STEM Hub connects educators with professional development opportunities and offers engaging experiential programming to foster and promote promising practices for STEM, STEAM, and STEMM (Medicine) across Appalachian Ohio. This hub is located on the campus of Ohio University and is available to all surrounding educators! View Available Labs Northwest OSLN Hub Serving the Northwest Ohio region Northwest Ohio STEM Hub aims to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for people of all ages. This hub is located on the campus of Bowling Green State University and is available to all surrounding educators! View Available Labs Mercer County ESC Serving the Greater Cincinnati region Mercer County ESC is an agency that is a regional educational services provider that supports and assists partner districts in western Ohio. View Available Labs The PAST Foundation innovation labs have been an excellent hands-on addition to my current middle school medical career exploration curriculum. My students enjoyed the collaborative hands-on learning and extensions to our current curriculum.” — Jen Hubble, Middle School Educator What People Are Saying Ready to Be Part of the Impact? 01 Browse our full catalog of available labs and reserve one today. View All Labs 02 Have questions or want help getting started? Reach out to our team! Contact Us 03 Interested in hosting a Portable Innovation Lab hub in your region? Let’s talk about what’s possible. Become a Partner Site

404 Error Oops! We couldn’t find that page. The link you followed might be broken, or the page may have been moved during one of our learning adventures. But no worries. You’re still in the right place to explore bold ideas and real-world learning. TRY ONE OF THESE DESTINATIONS: Home Professional Learning Experiences Partner With PAST Research & Evaluation About PAST Contact Us Student Experience STILL NOT FINDING WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? Send us a message and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Explore PAST in Action, a living gallery showcasing our impactful work with students, educators, and communities. Discover PAST in Action now! PAST in Action Bringing Real-World Learning to Life. PAST in Action is a living gallery of the work we do in partnership with students, educators, and communities across the country. From school districts reimagining instruction to students launching into STEM careers, this is where our mission becomes reality. Our Impact These numbers represent more than metrics—they reflect lives changed, systems improved, and futures reimagined. 3.2 million+ students served 24,000+ educators engaged 600+ programs launched 500+ business and industry partners 120+ program locations nationwide Explore the Work Case Studies Deep dives into how schools and districts are using PAST’s methods to shift culture, boost engagement, and link learning to life. View Case Studies Research in Action Learn how our research-backed models are tested and refined in real environments. Visit the Research Page Success Stories Quick wins and powerful journeys of how students, teachers, and partners are making meaningful change with PAST. Explore Stories Student Experience Reports Annual overviews of our student programs, highlighting participation, outcomes, and insights that shape future offerings. These reports capture both data and student voice. Explore Reports PAST in Action Using A Real Problem to Teach Math...of All Things! In Ms. Baker’s Algebra 3 class at eSTEM last month, students learned about quadratic equations. However, instead of simply drilling through a plethora of problem sets, students addressed the problem, “How can we boost the Wi-Fi hotspot on Ms. Baker’s phone?” Ms. Baker has shared her own passion for gaming with her students, including her accounts of playing the recently popular game Pokémon Go with her own children. If her kids were sharing the Wi-Fi on her phone between their own hand-held devices, how could they enhance their experience of playing the game together? Read More The Hybrid Teacher Model In 2015, South Dakota Innovation Lab (SDIL) was awarded a Bush South Dakota Community Foundation grant for the purpose of piloting a Hybrid teaching system that incorporates technology and prototypes a model for integrating content and problem-based instructional strategies alongside hybrid delivery for pre-service teachers. The proposal comes from a five year quest to address several critical issues facing education in rural America. Read More Part 1: Planning of the Peace Project at Herbert Mills Elementary in Reynoldsburg, OH PAST works with schools to help build and support a culture that engages students in authentic problem-solving within their schools and community. As thinking partners for the Herbert Mills STEM Elementary team, we brainstormed how students might answer the question, “How can we promote peace among ourselves, our school, and our community?” Students and teachers articulate the problem-solving process by using The Herbert Mills Engineering Design Process (pictured on right). Our teaching teams also engage in design thinking and the design process in their own curriculum planning. Read More Students Explore Space with NASA and TPBL At STEM Middle at Baldwin Road Junior High in Reynoldsburg, OH, teachers used a NASA-funded grant to plan and implement space exploration-themed activities with students. PAST Foundation was there to support the work, and capture the fun! Read More Community Partners, Engaging Problems, Student Solutions...Oh My! Angela Forino is a 3rd Grade educator at Herbert Mills Elementary School in Reynoldsburg, OH and has a goal this year: get her students designing solutions for their community. And, she is accomplishing this goal everyday by reaching out to partners in the community to connect her students with. Read More An Anthropological Perspective: Foundational Strategies of Education Today’s communities must examine the particulars of instruction and delivery so that they are aligned with how industries and networks function in the 21st century. As teachers shift to being guides in instruction and learning environments become portals of knowledge exploration that combine experience and authentic problem-solving, the particulars of instructional and delivery strategies will align with the cultural strategies defining literacy. Read More Video Games in the Classroom, Really? A sixth grade student sits staring intensely in front of his laptop, fervently clicking his mouse to place sandstone blocks in the popular video game Minecraft. As the teacher moves behind him to view his screen, he tells her that after scaling his pyramid to half size, the structure was still way too big, but scaling to quarter size was too small and wouldn’t “look cool.” Should he scale the model to one-third size? He would have to round to a nearest whole number, but that was okay, right? The teacher asks him to explain how he would divide and round the various dimensions of the pyramid, and the student responds by quickly typing on his calculator and scribbling a few numbers on a sheet of paper, before reporting his idea. Read More Problem-Based Learning with Birds! Kindergarten students typically hear or see a bird and yet often remain oblivious to the sounds of nature surrounding them. Kelly Preheim’s kindergarten class in Armour, SD not only pays attention, but can name birds by sound and sight—over 300 of them! Read More Inquisitive Brains Bring the 2nd Annual Health Fair to (HS)2 Reynoldsburg, OH Walking through the school’s halls towards the southeast end of the building, a dull hum grows into a vibrant buzz, percolating with shouts of excitement and calls to friends. Through the corridors and into the school’s Field House, the buzz becomes a warble of enthusiasm and alacrity as students, siblings, teachers, and parents bustle to and from various tables, examining brochures, models, and interactive devices. Student projects tower on some tables, while other tables host local health-related businesses and organizations. Read More Conversational Mathematics In 2009 Paul Lockhart declared that mathematics is a form of art. He argues that mathematics as rote procedures and contrived applications destroys the natural curiosity of children. Mathematics as a memorization game, diminishes the inherent beauty in mathematics, and completely overlooks the fact that mathematics is a form of art. We agree with Lockhart and push the argument one step further: beyond being a game, beyond being an art form, mathematics is one of only five non verbal languages. Mathematics like Music, American Sign Language, Morse Code, and Signaling use symbols arranged in varying sequences to convey information. All are taught in formal education courses. But unlike the other non-verbal languages, many mathematics classes are taught with the removal of application, which returns us to Lockhart’s lament, that with the abstraction of mathematics there is a loss in appreciation of both the beauty and application. Read More Transforming Spaces and Practice From the outside, Baldwin STEM Middle School resembles a typical school. However, as you walk into the school, you immediately recognize this is not a traditional school. The numerous decisions the team and students have made to showcase the students’ STEM experience at the middle level is evident throughout the building. This transformation began with reimagining the traditional library to become a space the staff and students now call The Foundry. This redefined space was catalyzed by an idea to provide middle school students an opportunity to learn within a maker space. A lead teacher for Baldwin, Sandy Guinto, envisioned an opportunity to build a math course that would utilize the maker space tools and build a pipeline for students to transition into the high school level Fab Lab. Her course “The Art of Math,” students have an opportunity to learn and reinforce math content standards through the lens of design and art. Read More Constraints and Pitfalls Encountered in Crossing the Threshold to Transdisciplinary Problem-Based Learning This report focuses on the constraints and pitfalls teachers face when transitioning from traditional learning strategies to transdisciplinary problem-based learning (TPBL). In educational theory these thresholds are associated with culture shifts and new demands on educational strategies that meet changing societal needs. Both the approach to change and the time following are charged with liminal constraints that must be navigated and pitfalls that test confidence. Partnering with administrators, teachers, students and community to navigate constraints and build confidence is the focus of the PAST Foundation. PAST uses an array of methodologies to better understand perceptions and inform actionable pathways so that the transitions are successful. Read More Part 2: Sharing of the Peace Project at Herbert Mills STEM Elementary in Reynoldsburg, OH On a warm day in Spring before lunch, students gathered in the school’s community garden for The Peace Project Reveal to show off the smooth stones they painted with symbols and artwork that resembled what peace means to them. The Reveal marked the final step— share in the Herbert Mills Elementary Engineering Design Process. The project launched three weeks prior at Morning Roar, the school-wide meeting that begins each school day. Read More The Hybrid Teaching Model Submitted To: South Dakota Community Foundation In Fulfillment Of: Bush Community Grant In 2015, South Dakota Innovation Lab (SDIL) was awarded a Bush South Dakota Community Foundation grant for the purpose of piloting a Hybrid teaching system that incorporates technology and prototypes a model for integrating content and problem-based instructional strategies alongside hybrid delivery for pre-service teachers. The proposal comes from a five year quest to address several critical issues facing education in rural America. Read More Summer Hybrid Teaching Three teachers in one classroom, teaching multiple subjects at the same time? How can standards be addressed if everything is combined together? How do students even know what they are learning? This summer, PAST piloted a hybrid teaching program called Sprouts, and began collecting answers to these questions. Read More Want to See PAST in Action in Your Community? We’re always looking for new partners who believe in bold, hands-on learning. Start the Conversation View Upcoming Events