"An entrepreneurial organization is one that continues to innovate even when it is successful in the marketplace. Innovation requires that we, like our counterparts in the private sector, apply knowledge to knowledge."
Our mission is to establish and institutionalize Explore and Discover - a museum/school approach where students and teachers create concept kits and exhibits for system-wide interactive and intergenerational education thus "applying knowledge to knowledge" while "increasing productivity through innovation". In this venture, we are modeling ephemeralization (progressively doing more with less) by identifying and connecting resources (both human and material) directly and efficiently for community education (optimization). This program models the world of work that students will be part of in the future. The school yard and the classroom become research environments and laboratories for students' and teachers' experimentation. One of our exhibits, a geodesic dome, demonstrates a system where forces are equally distributed throughout, and it encloses the most space with the least amount of material. Similarly through Explore and Discover, community resources are connected so all members are interdependently linked and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts producing a synergetic relationship.
We know that children learn best when multiple intelligences are acknowledged and diverse learning styles are engaged through a variety of teaching and learning strategies, when they work both independently and in teams, when their work has meaningful applications, when what they are doing is fun, and when parents are actively involved. This initiative challenges all students to strive for excellence.
Our program leads students to examine relationships of art, science, and mathematics. Curriculum is inquiry based as students become problem solvers. Teams of students and teachers are designers and conduct relevant research and development. It is intergenerational and sets the school as the central community hub. Our long term plan is to prepare students to run a children's museum for the school system and the community. Space is limited, and educational materials become stale when they remain in one area. Sharing resources and circulating exhibits solve both problems. To do this we need to establish a system planning and implementation team who field tests materials and addresses logistical problems. This cutting edge work has been disseminated statewide through the Center for the Enhancement of Science and Mathematics Education (A PALMS partner) since 1993 (to Leominster, Andover, Easton, Princeton, Cambridge, Worcester, and math, science, environmental, and art educators conferences). During 1994 -96 Cambridge and Worcester worked with Uxbridge to create their own exhibits. We are now prepared to formalize this work in Uxbridge through shared decision making and by involving key educational leaders on the planning team. Throughout the process we offer support for all teachers who find this program valuable while respecting those who choose not to participate. This Massachusetts Department of Education School-Based Planning Grant provides critical resources for strategic planning to meet the needs and problems particular to each school building along with the community.