51. Going Big--Iowa BIG--with Trace Pickering

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The traditional educational paradigm is filled with obsolete concepts. How can we expect our young learners to thrive by gathering information, but not knowledge? How can we shift teachers to a learner-centered paradigm that offers context to the content?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On today’s podcast, I’m talking with Trace Pickering, co-founder and Executive Director of Iowa BIG. His program offers students an opportunity to explore their passions and interests through project-based learning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Listen in as Trace reminds us that sometimes the greatest opportunities for growth come from the greatest challenges, creating knowledge is not the same as gathering information, and student engagement increases when content has context.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">About Trace Pickering:</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr. Trace Pickering is the</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">co-founder and executive director of Iowa BIG, a learner-centered educational program in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Trace is a life-long advocate for transforming education, as opposed to simply reforming what we have now. Trace lives with his wife, Kim, and dog, Stella, and has two grown daughters.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To learn more about Trace follow him on</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/tracepick"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Twitter</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">and</span> <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/trace-pickering-3b40534/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">LinkedIn</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">or visit his</span> <a href= "http://www.tracepickering.com/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">website</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jump in the Conversation:</span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">[1:43] Mentors and extracurriculars are