The Elements of Powerful Learning

There’s no shortage of advice out there for how teachers should teach, but little of it comes directly from students. And that’s why in this first episode of our second season, I travel to Castlemont High School to talk to two students in the Sustainable Urban Design Academy about what makes learning powerful. America and Jessica are juniors and they take Green Urban Design with their teacher Ms. Jacobson. In a recent project, they created designs for an empty lot in their East Oakland neighborhood. But this wasn't just an exercise, the students partnered with Carolyn Johnson at the Black Cultural Zone and with Oakland City Council Member Loren Taylor. The students designs are amazing. But don't take my word for it. You can check out links to the students' designs on this document. The City is also using the finalists' designs as the basis for future bids to develop the site. The students are activating the site throughout the spring and summer in partnership with the Pop-Up Resource Village. Their first event is Saturday, March 14, 2-5pm at the nearby Glover Center. Check it out!