Welcome to our special series where we’ll explore four learning sites that are part of the Education Reimagined Ecosystem Lab. Usually, we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine past episodes and big conversations.

The most important thing adults can provide young people in their learning journey is a caring relationship. That is the fundamental belief that drives Jim Bailey in his work as co-founder and executive director at Rock Tree Sky, a self-directed learning community. In this episode, Jim and Annalies discuss adults’ roles in making space for young people to tap their innate curiosity and problem-solving skills.

At Rock Tree Sky, adults roll up their sleeves and get inspired along with students. They act as guides, not knowledge holders– after all, most young people hold the world’s knowledge on a phone in their pocket. Rock Tree Sky is a learning space free from constant evaluation and purposefully designed for building relationships.

Jim also gets into some of the nuts-and-bolts of running this kind of organization. For example, Rock Tree Sky partnered with its local California school district to create an independent study model: Young people can get public funding to attend Rock Tree Sky twice a week. In return, the school district gets more enrollees and more per-pupil funding. Tune in to learn more about this model and what Jim is working on for the future.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The role of adults in young people’s learning journey.
• Rock Tree Sky’s learning facilities and philosophy.
• Partnership with school systems and inspiring conventional teachers.
• Thinking about assessment, especially in order to get public funding.
• Making these spaces financially accessible for all families.

Resources:

• Rock Tree Sky: A Self-Directed Learning Community
• Follow Rock Tree Sky on Instagram: @rocktreesky

Produced by NOVA

Welcome to our special series where we’ll explore four learning sites that are part of the Education Reimagined Ecosystem Lab. Usually, we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine past episodes and big conversations.

Steve Heath calls himself a “professional confuser.” In a world where kids are defined by grades, test scores, attendance, and behavior, Steve’s organization asks them what they want to do and then helps them do it.

Steve is executive director and co-founder of FabNewport. FabNewport provides underserved youth with the opportunity to learn how to code, sew, design, prototype, run CNC machines, and imagine new possibilities. In the 10 years, he’s served more than 20,000 middle and high school students, maintained long-term relationships with 3 school districts, and trained hundreds of educators to be better engaged.

Join us as we discuss how to develop ecosystems of personalized learning by connecting home bases, learning hubs, and field sites.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How to scale up an organization while still providing an individualized approach for each learner.
• The concept of ecosystems of learning and the role of community in education.
• The importance of building a lasting mentorship team around each kid.

Resources:

• Learn more about FabNewport
• Follow FabNewport on Instagram: @fabnewport
• Watch Education Reimagined’s Big Idea video

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of internships with Aya Belouadah, a college student at The Ohio State University and PAST Foundation Intern. Aya shares her journey from early high school internships to her current college experiences, highlighting how hands-on opportunities have shaped her approach to learning and professional growth.

We dive into the importance of authentic, work-based learning and how it builds not just technical skills but also confidence, communication, and agency. Aya reflects on the differences between high school and collegiate environments, emphasizing why building community, embracing critique, and advocating for yourself are essential for both personal and professional development.

Together, we discuss strategies educators can use to create meaningful internship experiences and foster collaborative, well-rounded teams. Aya’s insights are a compelling reminder of why early, real-world experiences matter—and how students can harness them to chart their own unique paths.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The impact of internships on student agency and career direction
• The value of authentic, work-based learning over traditional classroom assignments
• Building community and communication skills within internship programs
• Navigating team dynamics and the challenges of collaborative work
• Strategies for educators to foster student growth, agency, and resilience

Resources:

• Read Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life by Annalies Corbin

Produced by NOVA