A21SC TIMELINE
2016
Moving to the next Phase
Under Elenita's guidance, both CTJ and the IRC moved on to Phase II of the Project, with six main milestones:
- AC21CS was launched to the BNC network; 10 BNCs and American Corners volunteer to follow the mentees from Phase I (who are now mentors);
- IRC was in charge of describing the roles of mentors, expectations of Phase II, with heavy emphasis on using Smithsonian content;
- CTJ as a role model for other BNCs that request support on demand, and Wiki continued to be improved;
- To lengthen the education arc with the notion that learning continues outside the classroom in collaborative and interactive spaces of American Spaces;
- To embrace the maker movement as an essential education approach for achieving 21st century information literacy and digital skills;
- To convey the relevance of Smithsonian content and maker activities as established by the IIP-Smithsonian partnership for advancing U.S. foreign policy goals.
AC21CS was opened to the BNC network; 10 BNCs and American Corners volunteer to follow the mentees from Phase I (who became 2016 mentors).
The NETWORK
BNCs willing to participate in the program received a letter from Elenita Tapawan acknowledging the importance of their participation in the second phase of the Achieving 21st Century Skills Project. Elenita had asked all BNCs to submit project ideas to foster collaboration among BNCs. The implementing team noticed that BNCs put effort into reviewing the content on the wiki as they adapted material and, in some cases, created new material. But Smithsonian content was not fully explored to add depth and substance to the maker activities, and most BNCs had not grasped how to address the mission goals. Daniela sent individual feedback advising BNCs to take a moment to study the updates, noting in particular that spaces may address U.S. foreign policy goals, along with the five core programs.
As BNCs reviewed their feedback and became acquainted with the NEW Standards, the process of refinement began. Daniela and Soraya Lacerda, librarian added to CTJ's implementing team, advised BNCs to use a canva - a document for guidance so they would have a standardised format that was consistent with the scope of the project. BNCs were asked to send program plans by uploading them to the wiki. IRC and Daniela were in charge of reviewing, writing rubric and providing BNCs with detailed feedback. On April 15, 2016, an email was sent out by the IRC thanking BNCs that had begun to carry out their activities. They were all directed to their canvas on the project's wiki page.
Success stories
CTJ Makerspace was inaugurated
A dedicated Makerspace was inaugurated to introduce topics like innovation and entrepreneurship by offering American Spaces visitors the chance to engage with rich, maker/hands-on activities. The space soon became a reference for the BNC network and the local community.
CTJ Makerspace designed, tested, iterated, and shared more than 26 engagement programs in 2016. Examples include activities involving high school students with technology.
Innovative English Language Teaching lessons
Assistive Technology Makeathon with public school students
Creative use of Smithsonian content to enliven programs
Partnerships with institutions and museums in the community
Sample Programs
Feasible, easy-to-implement program ideas for young students.
Robust programs to enrich access to technology and advance STEAM education.
The challenges
In 2016, the implementing team faced three big challenges: our first challenge was the fact that the support team at the IRC was no longer available, as the IRC had been terminated. CTJ had to do the heavy lift of the communication flow and strategic programming. The second challenge was changes in personnel on both sides. The new IRO, Sarah Borenstein, was putting her office up as she was getting acquainted with the local environment. There was also a change at CTJ: Alba Cobra was replaced by Frank Couto as the Special Projects Coordinator responsible for youth programs, Alumni outreach, and select American Spaces projects. Frank also collaborated with the Education Technology Specialist on special initiatives, but due to the amount of programs, the initiatives strictly related to the project Achieving 21st Century Skills was under Daniela's lead. Another important change happened as Mariana Borges, the administrative assistant was replaced by Sami who mainly worked with the Special Projects Coordinator. The challenges did slow the project down as the implementing team had to wait for the American Spaces Office to understand the history of the project and get better equipped to assist/provide guidance. Fortunately, CTJ’s Executive Director, Lucia Santos, remained fully committed to the project and provided a safe ground for it to continue advancing at CTJ.