Genius Hour Project Proposal

Name: Drew Tindol

Research Question: What steps need to be taken in order to make higher education more accessible to students in poverty-stricken areas?

Motivation: I think the idea of higher education in the United States is often looked upon more as a right than as a privilege. While we can choose to be proud of our successes leading up to and during the course of our time at university, the fact remains that there are generations of people from around the world who are unfamiliar with the experience or even the concept of higher education. This research question will not serve as a call to action but rather a means of opening discussion regarding the educational achievement gap, its direct influence on the global disparity issues of higher education, and what measures can be taken to make higher education more accessible to young adults around the world.

Importance: This topic is important because we often fail to see the bigger picture as it relates to higher education. While higher education does not necessarily equate to future success upon graduation, it is undeniably a stepping stone to more job opportunities and financial peace. However, there are many poverty-stricken areas around the globe that rely upon subsistence farming to make ends meet and provide for families. I believe the world has made far too many technological advancements for this to be the case. Technology exists that can alleviate the burden of subsistence farming in order for education to become the primary focus for all children encompassing the far reaches of the Earth. With this belief, I want to research what steps need to be taken in order to make higher education more accessible.