Lighting a Fire Under Kids

So the museum opens a week from Thursday. There are 7 class periods left to get things ready. I am freakin' out because the kids are moving so slowly. The press notices are out, all the invitations are out - we're just waiting....

I have to tell myself that for most of these kids it is the first time doing project-based learning, and that alone is a major accomplishment for them. I took it a step further and decided to take a page from museum learning and structure the projects in a totally different way. Maybe I bit off too much, but what I have learned over the years is that you shoot for the stars, and you will end up with a better product than if you made simpler demands. Well, I am aiming for Saturn - hopefully we get to Mars....(if you follow the analogy....)

Several of the kids are in fabulous shape, and you can tell by listening to them just how much they have learned. And...some of them are still plugging away on the computers, still thinking this is a typical research project.

I am proud of these guys - we have all gone into uncharted waters, and the payoffs all around look to be great. Kids can do amazing things - we need to give them the structure, the faith, and the opportunities. Now if it will just stop keeping me awake at night....