Update / David Oliver's Educational Journey at the Observatory

Hi Jana:

We have been co-creating learning experiences with David here at the observatory for about a year now and we are always looking for ways in which to expand his personal educational instruction and the follow-on contingent emergent opportunities.

Tasks David will continue to focus on while here at the observatory during the traditional school day.

1. Development of an additional "exploration plan" for his additional time on task here at the observatory.

This will include but will not be limited too the following; Time management, end-game understanding (begin with the end in mind), benchmarks regarding accomplishments, evaluation components, basic research, applied research, innovation and creativity strategies, visioning and presencing (bringing into being) exercises, and the deep reflection activities of same, necessary to take traditional learning experiences to a solid foundational understanding that will add to his experiences of the world around him and the way which it and the people in it work. Additionally, he will be required to determine which rich documentation strategies he will employ to document, communicate and disseminate his work in progress to his colleagues and the greater learning community at large.

2. Design and selection of his additional diverse personal learning experiences that are available here at the observatory and additionally those that he is able to conceive, develop and connect with throughout the world.

3. Create a Project Presentation Evaluation Summary activity.

Thanks for this additional opportunity to add to David's education and personal growth. I'm positively sure he will not disappoint us, or more importantly, himself.

Please keep me informed of any information you deem necessary to the accomplishment of the above. Let the additional learning begin and the deep understanding continue.

Best,

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: Thams, Jana [mailto:Jana.Thams@oakland.k12.mi.us]
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 2:02 PM
To: 'James Ross'
Subject: RE: David Oliver

Hi Jim -

Thanks for offering to work with David. He is anxious to get started.

I will be putting paperwork together and so, if you are ready for him, he can begin on Thursday of this week reporting to the Observatory. He will work Thursday and Friday of this week and Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from that point on. I am thinking that his hours will be approximately from 11:30 to 2:00...as Anna's hours were.

Can you please jot down a few things that he will be working on, learning or responsible for and let me know those items. I will get them on the second page of the training agreement so we can start getting required signatures.

Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
Jana
-----Original Message-----
From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net]
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 3:23 PM
To: jana.thams@oakland.k12.mi.us
Subject: FW: David Oliver



-----Original Message-----
From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net]
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 5:33 AM
To: 'Thams, Jana'
Subject: RE: David Oliver

Hi Jana:

I think this would be an excellent extension of David's time on task here at the observatory. He continues to push the envelope of his personal boundaries in pursuit of his educational agenda.
We will also be developing a project-based, student driven element for the NSF Informal Science Grant proposal recently began with Oakland Schools.

This element is an outgrowth of the Sol Conference which David attended during the month of October. They (students) have been discussing the development of a Sol Leadership Academy based around an International Summer Camp experience that would take place here at the observatory during the summer of 2005.

The FFA will be enjoying its 75th Anniversary this year and we have been discussing the various possibilities this could represent to do something special such as the Virtual FFA which we briefly discussed in our meeting with you and the other OSTC teachers earlier this summer.
Please let me know scheduled dates, times, etc.

Hope all finds you well.

Best,

Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: Thams, Jana [mailto:Jana.Thams@oakland.k12.mi.us]
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 2:22 PM
To: 'JRoss2@earthlink.net'
Subject: David Oliver

Hi Jim -

I had a conversation with David today. It sounds like you and he are working on some type of partnership. He would LOVE to come to the Observatory to gain more knowledge on methods of alternative energy. He also expressed interest in bringing all of this knowledge into his FFA competitions.

He would like to work with you four days a week (Mon, Wed, Thurs and Fri) and report to school on Tuesdays. We thought if he could do this schedule until the December holidays, that would work out great for him and move him right into FFA.

Let me know what you think of this arrangement.

Thanks Jim!
Jana