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Constructing Modern Knowledge

Gary Stager and Sylvia Martinez

Join us for news, resources, and events for creative, progressive educators

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Featured Post

A Personal Message from Peter H. Reynolds

Our great friend, best-selling author and illustrator Peter Reynolds, was a guest speaker at the first and tenth editions of the Constructing Modern Knowledge summer institute. He designed our logo and has been an enthusiastic supporter of our efforts since we first worked together in the late 1980s. In this short video, Peter invites educators from around the world to join us at the final edition of Constructing Modern Knowledge in Manchester, New Hampshire this July 9-12, 2024. Learn more...

4 days ago • 1 min read

The Eight Big Ideas Behind the Constructionist Learning LabYou may or may not be aware that Constructing Modern Knowledge founder Gary Stager was the principal investigator on Dr. Seymour Papert’s last institutional research project. Gary and Papert, along with colleagues David Cavallo and John Stetson, created the Constructionist Learning Laboratory (CLL), a multi-age, interdisciplinary, project-based, alternative school inside Maine’s troubled prison for teens. Gary likes to joke that the...

9 days ago • 1 min read

Hello Reader, If you've been here a while, you know that Gary Stager is a relentless advocate for school change. But what does that look like in real time? How does it work when you can't just stop and rebuild from scratch? It's a bit like trying to replace the windows on a plane in mid-air. If you would like an inside look at how this happens, check out Gary's recent blog posts. Starting from Los Angeles, Gary flew via Istanbul to Delhi for a week-long school residency. Then he flew to...

13 days ago • 3 min read

Hello Reader, Several recent emails have asked similar questions: Why are there two music educators speaking at the Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer Institute? Will this mean the activities will be geared towards music? How do I convince my administrator that this will support the subjects I teach? We figure if a few people ask a question, it must be on the minds of even more! To borrow a term from our friend Seymour Papert, the theme of the Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer Institute...

16 days ago • 2 min read

When encountering a new technology, always: (1) Operate from the assumption that learning is natural (2) Ask what authentic thing kids can do to gain agency over the system (3) Explore how the thing may be used to amplify human potential and expand access to powerful ideas. Professional development should elevate educators while celebrating their creativity, curiosity, confidence, and competence. Doing so with a like-minded community is even better. (Not so subtle hint - we mean like the...

21 days ago • 1 min read

Dear Colleague: I wanted you to be the first to know… After fifteen glorious years, we have made the difficult decision to announce that Constructing Modern Knowledge 2024, July 9-12th in Manchester, New Hampshire will be our last summer institute. If you have been dreaming of attending CMK or returning one more time, now is the time. In this perilous time for education, educators like yourself deserve community, respect, and inspiration now more than ever. Our alumni tell us how CMK launches...

28 days ago • 1 min read

There’s a lot of talk about AI in education today — too much if it by folks trying to make a quick buck peddling “sit ’n git” PD or colorful infographics. We know that you are interested in substance and inspiration. We also know you are capable of sharing complex learning adventures with students of all ages. That’s why we’re working hard to help educators embrace AI as a means to enrich educational experiences, amplify human potential, and inform our decisions about inventing the future of...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Creative Computation and AI at Constructing Modern Knowledge pre-institute workshop - July 8, 2024Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer Institute founder Gary Stager and longtime faculty member Jaymes Dec are offering a day-long pre-CMK workshop unlike any other. Like all CMK activities, this workshop is about action, not rhetoric. Participants will enjoy hands-on experiences with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to develop understanding of powerful computational concepts and inform...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Happy Women’s History Month! Long before makerspaces became common in schools, before Maker Faire captured imaginations, and before STEAM evolved into a buzzword, Constructing Modern Knowledge has been the summer destination for educators. Here, they engage in making, tinkering, inventing, programming, and engineering with cutting-edge technology. Their goal is to create productive learning environments that resonate around the world. We are enormously proud of how CMK transcends tech...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

#10 The Future is Now The Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer Institute is designed for educators who believe that school needs to be different, and want to make that change happen in their own schools. Sure, there are a million reasons why now is not the right time, but Reader, if not now, when? Read on for nine more reasons why this year is the year to attend this once-in-a-lifetime professional learning event. Gary Stager & Sylvia Martinezco-hosts, Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read
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