Another reason I’m such a big fan of Central High School’s Trojan Integrated Experience.
Loved Craig’s story in today’s Ticker about a new greenhouse coming to Central.
The greenhouse itself is exciting. But what I really love is what students will be able to do with it.
Central’s Trojan Integrated Experience (or TIE) brings English, science and social studies together through interdisciplinary projects, hands-on learning and real-world community connections.
I’ve written about TIE a few times, including when our new Innovation & Manufacturing Centers opened*, because I think there’s something important in that approach: not every student learns best in exactly the same way.
Some students thrive when they can build something, grow something, solve a problem, work alongside classmates and connect what they’re learning in different subjects to something tangible in the world around them.
We saw that earlier this year when TIE students came to a school board meeting and presented planters they had designed and built.
Now they’ll have another space to experiment, collaborate, problem-solve and learn by doing — potentially as early as next spring.
And there are some pretty exciting possibilities ahead, including raised beds, native plantings, outdoor learning and even the possibility of students growing food that could eventually be used in the school cafeteria.
I also love that we’re thinking about the people and partnerships needed to make the most of the space. The plan includes having two TIE teachers pursue Master Gardener certification through MSU Extension, opening up even more possibilities for students and community connections.
The Allen Foundation’s $200,000 grant is making the greenhouse possible. I’m also grateful to Central Assistant Principal Mr. Kepler, who has championed the idea, and Emily Umbarger, who helped connect TCAPS with the grant opportunity, along with everyone else helping bring the project to life.
Different students have different strengths, interests and ways of learning.
And creating more pathways for them to discover those strengths is something worth celebrating.
Read Craig’s story: https://bit.ly/4szJcSi
* My earlier story about TIE and our Innovation & Manufacturing Centers: https://bit.ly/4iXBrzX
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