Professional Learning Experiences PAST focuses on a replicable process of building holistic, educational experiences for professionals in our community and beyond. Whether one needs on-site support, online assistance, or immersive experiences PAST will create customized offerings to meet those professional needs. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES Educating Our Future While Engaging Your Vision The PAST team approaches all learning from a Problem-Based Learning perspective using STEM, the principles of design, and systems thinking to build programs that address real world issues and engage all participants in a learning partnership. PAST focuses on a replicable process of building holistic, educational experiences for professionals in our community and beyond. Whether one needs on-site support, online assistance, or immersive experiences PAST will create customized offerings to meet those professional needs. The PAST team offers a variety of professional development and learning opportunities for administrators, educators, industry experts, and community partners to build sustainable practices and programs tailored to the needs of a school, district, organization, or business. Tools & Information Educator Ideas Transforming Learning Spotlights Resources Our Services Learn More Hacking Schools: Online Course Empower your district with innovative, research-based programs. These courses will dive deeper into each of the five key strategies and provide practical insights and tools for educators to implement in their classrooms. Learn More Mentorship Development PAST’s mentorship training program can be tailored to fit one’s needs. Participate in this online mentorship training course that focuses on fostering student’s curiosity and STEM skills, establishing and maintaining the mentor/mentee relationship, and identifying mentor strengths. Taking theory to practice, this online training course helps gain certification as a mentor with the PAST Foundation. Learn More STEMthusiasts: A Community of Practice The Past Foundation, ESCCO, the Central Ohio Hub of the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN), and our partners want to make sure to nurture and feed STEM instructor’s needs for the continuation of design thinking and STEM education formal and informal). Join STEMthusiasts in a community of practice forum where participants look at best practices, share designs for engaged inquiry, and augment the ability to promote creative problem-solving using design thinking practices. Learn More Immersive Professional Development Immersive professional development allows for an opportunity to engage in content-specific experiences alongside students and content experts in a low risk environment. These sessions empower participants to design innovative approaches for coaching, teaching and learning that leverage their new understandings. Any content area can, and are encouraged to participate, in PAST’s Immersive PDs, that include synchronous (face to face) and asynchronous components. Participants engage in an online course which includes video podcasts and virtual meetings, followed by an intensive hands-on experience during an on-site program. Immersive PD topics change regularly. Current topics include robotics, Minecraft, Art and STEM, and agricultural engineering but these too can be tailored to fit one’s needs. Learn More Online Courses PAST’s Online Courses are an excellent entry point to engage in transformative learning opportunities. We offer the opportunity to develop shared language and to explore the theory, design and practice behind innovative implantation. Courses are tailored to fit specific needs. Learn More On-site Professional Development PAST understands the importance of aligning community aspirations as educational strategies and delivery systems are built that work for students, schools, staff, and individuals! PAST’s systems approach is culturally focused, allowing for scaffolded opportunities that help develop effective strategies. Upcoming Events Volunteer With Us Work With Us Subscribe To Our Newsletter Connect With Us!

STEM Experience Instructor Kelleigh Huey STEM Experience Instructor (Academic Alchemist) Kelleigh Huey is a Student Experience Instructor at the PAST Foundation and known as the Academic Alchemist! Kelleigh started her work with PAST in 2022 as a Summer Experience Instructor. Throughout her education, Kelleigh found she had an interest and a passion for innovation and a love for all things STEM. This, combined with her love of kids and learning, led her to the PAST Foundation, where she sought to make a difference in STEM education. In her position, she hopes to spread her passion for STEM topics and be an inspiration and a role-model for the young people she leads. In her free time, Kelleigh enjoys gardening and learning more about agriculture and caring for the environment, crafting, and spending time with her friends and family. Some of her favorite activities include painting, making blankets, playing with her dogs, and watching movies. Kelleigh pursued her love of STEM in her college studies and received a B.S. in Biology with a minor in chemistry. She attained her degree from The Ohio State University in 2022 and plans to continue learning in the future by pursuing a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science.

Strategy Officer Marcy Raymond Strategy Officer (Bridge Builder) Marcy brings decades of experience and expertise in STEM education and teaching and learning. Marcy has worked with PAST for nearly 12 years first as principal of the Metro Early College High School and in later years as an advisor, partner, and training colleague. We are excited to have Marcy’s expertise and insight.

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore how Ferris, a facility dog at Upper Arlington High School, is transforming inclusion and leadership for students with disabilities. Kim Wilson, an Intervention Specialist, shares how Ferris fosters connections, encourages student leadership, and enhances the school community in ways beyond traditional support models. What started as an experiment in disability inclusion became a powerful tool for engagement, bridging gaps between students and creating unexpected learning opportunities. From leading activities in elementary schools to bringing families together through his Instagram, Ferris’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. We also discuss the challenges of introducing a facility dog in schools, including managing logistics, addressing allergies, and ensuring meaningful inclusion. Whether you’re an educator or simply love an inspiring story, this episode highlights how unconventional approaches can reshape education. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org We unbox: How Ferris the facility dog fosters inclusion and leadership among students with disabilities. The process of bringing a facility dog to a school, from idea to implementation. The unexpected ways Ferris connects the broader school community and even families at home. The subtle promotion of disability awareness without focusing directly on disabilities. Challenges schools should consider before introducing a facility dog, including managing allergies and cultural sensitivities. Resources: Paws with a Cause : The organization that provided Ferris and supports facility dog programs tailored to educational environments.   Learn more about their work. Ferris’s Instagram : Follow Ferris’s daily adventures and see how he’s making an impact at Upper Arlington High School.   @uaferris Transcript Produced by NOVA #LearningUnboxed,  #ShowNotes, #STEM, #STEMforteachers, #Students, #Teachers, #TeachingStrategies, #InclusiveEducationStrategies, #DisabilityAwareness, #MentalHealthSupport, #ServiceAnimals

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we dive into the transformative power of the Portrait of a Graduate with Shannon King, Chief Learning Officer at Battelle for Kids. This initiative is reshaping how schools define student success, moving beyond grades and test scores to include durable skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking—skills that are essential for thriving in the modern workforce. Shannon shares insights into the Portrait to Practice and Portrait to Impact frameworks, which help educators bring these skills into the classroom and measure real-world success. We explore the critical role of community engagement in redefining education and discuss the growing recognition that traditional schooling no longer meets the needs of students or employers. With research showing that 85% of job success comes from skills schools often overlook, this work is more urgent than ever. Join us as we discuss the challenges and opportunities in transforming education, from rethinking assessments and leadership training to shifting the way schools communicate their values. If we were to excavate a school thousands of years from now, what would its artifacts say about what we valued? It’s time to ensure that education truly prepares students for a future we can’t yet predict. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org We unbox: The Portrait of a Graduate and why it matters Durable skills and their impact on workforce readiness How communities and businesses influence education reform Challenges in transforming schools and redefining success The role of authentic assessment and student-led learning Why the traditional education model is obsolete and needs reinvention Resources: Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn Battelle for Kids – Organization leading the Portrait of a Graduate initiative.   Learn more here EdLeader21 Network: www.battelleforkids.org/networks/edleader21-network/ The Future of the Portrait of a Graduate Special Report Transcript Produced by NOVA #LearningUnboxed,  #ShowNotes, #STEM, #STEMforteachers, #Students, #Teachers, #TeachingStrategies, #FutureofEducation, #21stCenturySkills, #EducationInnovation, #PersonalizedLearning, #WorkforceReadiness

= Ashley Price was born in Berea, Ohio and as a young infant moved to Worthington ultimately attending Worthington Kilbourne. Ashley played volleyball and attended Rio Grande College and received her Bachelors of Science in middle school education with concentrations in math, science and reading.   Ashley was introduced to PAST by her older brother, Andrew, who worked for Columbus City Schools at Starling STEM PreK-8. Ashley is married, has two dogs, and is currently the Worthington Kilbourne Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach. She also plays volleyball on Sundays.   “My experience with PAST started at Kelley’s Island and Hocking College with Beth Witte. It was the wonderful outdoor and experiential programs that allowed me to feel a part of something bigger.” From there her role and impact grew.   “What I enjoy most about PAST and being a part of the tribe is the incredible people whom I have the privilege of working with. We have all kinds of backgrounds which brings many experiences and I find that fulfilling! In addition, I get to work with a lot of different students and I have the freedom to be creative and try different things. I see some of my friends who are teachers and they have lost the joy in teaching. This is difficult to see. I love working with students and seeing the kids get excited … I love seeing their sparks. I also get to witness the moments of perseverance, laughing, and having a good time, all the while they do not realize they are learning!”   As Ashley reflects over her time at PAST, what gives her the most joy, what engages her, and what challenges her, she immediately focuses back on the kids. “When you get the opportunity to go into a space where kids are not super engaged and then you bring in a hands-on experience, and you witness the transformation, well that is spectacular! It is amazing to help kids make connections, they are so funny, and you never know what will happen. I think of robotics hands and picking up and stacking things, coding rock, paper, scissors  with the hand, pushing the boundaries and these are all the students’ ideas.”   Ashley offers that the experiences that teachers have vs. the student experiences are often not the same. The challenge is thinking something is wonderful and realizing the students do not think so. “So, we need to teach students that pushing the boundaries is good and creates a capacity for resilience. It is all about reflecting, reviewing, and modifying. Not your first answer is always the best or most accurate. Everything is changing and we need to understand the younger age groups and how they view the world. We can help them learn without technology but it can be challenging.”   In reflecting on her favorite program during her 11-year tenure, Ashley shares that Kelley’s Island will always hold a special place in her heart. “This was my first experience with PAST and seeing education delivered in a very different way was amazing. I loved getting down and dirty with the students.” Some of her favorites include the programs at KIPP, in the FabLab, working with Bath & Body Works and all of the summer programs. “Our entire team wants to design, create, and implement ideas that they have.“   When asked about her meta title, Ashley shared that the idea came from Alyssa, one of her colleagues, and relates to the Game of Thrones. She has found many connections with other Throne fans by choosing this royalty title.   In thinking about the future, Ashley would live to have a family and loves working at PAST, but maybe in a different capacity. She still enjoys coaching and working with kiddos in a classroom or other settings. But for now, “I am very happy where I am and what I am doing. So, I plan to keep doing what I am doing.”

The PAST Foundation presents a dynamic professional development series designed to support educators in implementing student agency and engagement within their practice. You can expect 6 hours (3 two hour sessions) of live virtual workshop time and two additional 1 hour virtual check-ins with our staff for this course. There is an option to add an onsite visit from our staff at an additional cost. Please contact Alyssa Reder for more information | Email: areder@pastfoundation.org 6 hours of advisory system exploration: - Strategies for Fostering Student Agency - Empowering Student Voice and Choice - Guidance with Student Autonomy - Facilitating Real-World Learning Experiences - Leveraging Industry and Community Partnerships

Students will bring their ideas to life as they learn design and rapid prototyping skills. Students will visualize abstract concepts and structures, enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills while gaining practical experience in digital design, prototyping, and manufacturing.