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Making it “Real” in the Classroom.
Students experience learning methods first pioneered by Harvard University and now used in medical, law, business, arts and engineering schools. Discover your future career!
First pioneered at Harvard University, students learn by using the Socratic method. Characterized by answering the question “why”, students are asked to solve a real problem with a school community, business or arts partner. Determining the primary challenge, reviewing alternatives, performing research, working in teams, doing analysis, discussing opportunities and presenting solutions are the essential learning methods.
PIE has had tremendous success bringing together STEM educators + business leaders in developing new hands on experiences driving critical thinking, talent identification and career readiness skills.
I love the whole project. It’s bigger than our other assignments and we need to justify our solutions with real-time research. Plus, I have my ideas and solutions for everyone to see around the world.
Oliver, Sands Montessori School
I never, ever thought I could be a scientist. But now I really think I could do this.
Kyree, Aiken New Tech School
I’m helping someone who looks just like me, but they aren’t like me at all. We worked with a government agency to help foster kids find lifetime mentors. We interviewed foster kids, analyzed data, and researched programs across the country. This project allowed us to help kids, and we used math to come up with our solution.
Kim, School for Creative and Performing Arts
We developed and launched a whole new flavor with the CEO of a gelato company. We created new flavor profiles, taste-tested, and used algebra to develop cost accounting charts. Every kid is looking forward to this class.
Peter, Kilgour Elementary
We used the scientific process to ‘engineer’ our answer to the case. A doctor and a business professor met with us and talked about how our solution would affect patients in a hospital. Plus we got to develop an app that kills germs! Very cool!
Tom, Gamble Montessori School
This case taught me how to be a global citizen. When the State Department staff came to our presentation, I discovered that we had a lot in common between our countries!
Alex, Pleasant Ridge Montessori
I liked stepping out of my comfort zone. This class allowed me to create something where the solution wasn’t already predetermined. Even our teacher didn’t know the answer!
Megan, Clark Montessori School