USA – Phoenix

Phoenix Segment Summary

Framed by Dr. Connie Kamm, this segment explores how to educate children as future-ready global citizens in a world of exponential change.

Thinking Dynamically Knowing Oneself Caring & Engaging

From Schooner to White-Water Raft

Using John Seely Brown’s metaphor, Connie situates education in a world of agentic AI and cyber-physical systems:

Old Education: A schooner going from port A to B to C.
Today: A white-water raft in turbulent, unpredictable waters.

Tempe Union Innovation Center

Dr. Christine Bella shares the journey of creating a “different way of learning” within a public district.

The Half-Day Model

Students attend 3 hours at the Innovation Center and the rest of the day at their home high school. They work in mixed ability teams (IEP, honors, etc.) on real-world projects pitched by over 80 business partners.

Key Elements

  • Learning Facilitators: Teachers act as coaches, asking questions instead of delivering content.
  • Headrush: An education project-management system used to track 5 project phases.
  • Impact: Innovation Center students outperformed district averages in English (+5.4%), Science (+4.2%), and Economics (+4.4%).

Example Project

Working with the Tempe Community Council, students redesigned the system for distributing free clothing and essentials to students in need, creating inventory systems and social media plans.

HighScope Educational Research Foundation

Dr. Alejandra Barazza & Beth Schultz present HighScope’s work in early childhood curriculum and research.

The Perry Preschool Study

A landmark study starting in 1962. Key long-term outcomes for attendees included:

  • Higher graduation and college attendance rates.
  • Better income and employment outcomes.
  • $13 return to society for every $1 invested (The “Heckman equation”).

Plan–Do–Review Cycle

  • Plan: Children choose what they will do.
  • Do: Child-initiated exploration.
  • Review: Children reflect and describe their learning.

This cycle builds agency, reflection, and problem-solving skills.

Levit Lab x ASU Prep Tempe

Founded by economist Steven Levitt (Freakonomics), this pilot high school aims to move from test-driven schooling to curiosity-driven learning.

1. Core
Self-paced, online work on standards-aligned courses.
2. Wonder Sessions
Weekly labs purely to ignite curiosity (e.g., “How big is the universe?”).
3. Seminars
Socratic discussions on real-world ethics and data (e.g., CRISPR).
4. In-Depth Explorations (IDEs)
Multi-week, student-led projects based on personal passion.
5. Electives & College
Students earn real university credit via ASU.

Culture: Teachers are “guides” who mentor and co-learn. The self-paced model reduces zero-sum competition, creating a deeply collaborative culture.

Main Entities and Resources

Below are the main organizations and initiatives referenced in the Phoenix segment.

Tempe Union High School District Innovation Center host.
tempeunion.org HighScope Educational Research Foundation Early childhood curriculum & research.
highscope.org The Levitt Lab Steven Levitt’s learning initiative.
thelevittlab.org ASU Prep Tempe High school powered by The Levitt Lab.
asuprep.asu.edu Headrush Project-based learning management platform.
headrushapp.com Perry Preschool Study HighScope’s landmark research.
highscope.org
🇺🇸-Phoenix