In our everyday existence, whether at work, play, or school, we are separated sometimes from the real world. We look at books, computer monitors, and video screens which give us images of the world we live in, but these are only images, facsimiles.
Imagine sitting beneath a giant sequoia tree, drawing from its majesty rather than drawing the same image from a computer screen. One brings forth the smells, the moisture in the air, and the bold texture in the three dimensional surface of the fibrous tannic bark. The other gives a detailed two dimensional visual expression. The computer monitor is full of content, but sitting beneath the giant one is experiencing the sequoia. To experience the world, that is outdoor. education.
This is the Beginning of a book, “The World as a Classroom” by Richard Steele – Available in Apple Books.
The Tradeshow
Dear Educator,
Welcome to the Tradeshow Curriculum, a ready to use, interdisciplinary, computer curriculum. The goal of the curriculum is to teach technology skills through Project Based Learning that incorporates easily in the curriculum. This Curriculum is the result of a highly successful program pioneered for 16 years by the creators, Richard Steele and Mark Tennyson at Westchester Lutheran Middle School. Response to this program by both students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. Former students regularly recount their experiences of the tradeshow when visiting the campus. The younger students start planning their businesses even before they are in eighth grade in anticipation of the project. Overall, this is a very worthwhile and rewarding experience for the students involved.
The Tradeshow is a Project Based Learning curriculum that incorporates team-building skills, community dynamics, Internet research skills, and real world scenarios. Students learn new technology skills and life skills while using word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software. This guide explains all the steps for the project, and where applicable, gives examples. The curriculum is ready to use with descriptions of each step that may be reproduced for your students. While the curriculum was designed as a ten to fifteen week program with middle school students in mind, it can be easily adapted for high school or elementary grades by creating a timeline that is manageable for each grade.
Students create, develop, market, and sell a business of their own creation. Students obtain the necessary permits and licenses, create accounting records, and advertise their businesses, creating Websites, filming Commercials, printing 3D logos, and creating Radio Spots. The culmination of the project is a New Business Tradeshow and Initial Public Offering of their businesses, followed by a five week Stock Market.
The TRADE SHOW curriculum guide is available in the Exploration Store.