By Annalies Corbin, CEO & President
Twenty years ago, two anthropologists, a documentary film maker, a graphic designer, and a historian, along with an international team of research scientists launched the PAST Foundation.
By Partnering Anthropology with Science and Technology (PAST), we invited the world to design, construct, and engage in experiences that link learning to life. To date, over 400,000 students and almost 20,000 educators have been influenced by our work and yet, with all we’ve accomplished, we feel there is so much more to do. So, with more in mind, PAST is pleased to announce the launching of PAST 4.0 which amplifies four key components of work we deem critical to the future of education and the human/earth journey:
The PAST Student STEM Experiences team designs, tests, and implements a variety of summer and after school programs, as well as community events. In collaboration with professionals and community partners, these programs and events engage students by linking their learning to real world issues in a fun and unique way. Throughout our programs, participants are introduced and encouraged to apply skills that will later help make their transition from classroom to career seamless. This is a fully immerse experience that links the gaining of knowledge with students, teachers and industry rather than thinking about these three groups as separate components of transforming teaching, learning and work of the future.
The PAST Educator Experiences team approaches learning from a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) stance using the principles of design to build programs that address real world issues and engage students and teachers in a learning partnership. PAST focuses on a replicable process of building holistic education enabling teachers to easily build programs across content areas. Whether you need on-site support, online assistance, or immersive experiences, we can customize our offerings to meet local needs. Our team offers a variety of professional development opportunities for administrators, teachers, and community partners to build sustainable programs tailored to the needs of your school’s unique culture.
The PAST Program Evaluation and Research team provides high quality research and program evaluation to communities, schools, and districts across the country. For over 20 years, we have helped guide real-time course correction, advancing both short-term and long-term goals that achieve critical outcomes. The team conducts internal and external evaluation, monitoring program reliability through a culturally relevant, mixed methods approach.
The PAST Innovation Lab (PIL), located in Columbus, Ohio, is a 32,000 square foot educational programming, research, and development facility. As the PAST Foundation’s main headquarters, the Innovation Lab hosts the majority of our immersive student programs. Via the Innovation Lab, PAST partners with k12 schools and post-secondary institutions, as well as industry and community partners to design and research new and innovative programs that deliver rigorous and relevant education to students around Central Ohio and beyond.
Today, more than ever before, real-world learning impacts every aspect of our planet. We offer free webinars, innovative and culturally relevant programs for students, educators, and communities and program evaluation. PAST programs are founded on years of research and iterative design. We’re excited for what the next twenty years will bring. Join us on the journey as we help you link learning to life!