Education in Western North Carolina Design Science Lab 2006 Asheville, NC Group members: Charlotte Anthony, Mark Hanf, Kimberly Hundertmark, Kim Kubicke, David McConville, Ruth Meyers, Susie Watson, Sharon Willen

Preferred State A community that understands and utilizes the interconnections and synergies between individuals, communities, and the planet to maximize wealth, health, and innovation.

We asked ourselves… How can our individual efforts create a positive change on the local and global level?

The Snowball Effect Can small actions “snowball” into large positive results?

One Example: Ryan’s Well Ryan’s Well Foundation has built 227 wells in 10 countries Bringing clean water to approximately 375,167 people!

The Problem: Disconnection There is a disconnect between our values and our behavior.

The Problem: Disengagement 40% to 60% of students from all economic backgrounds are chronically disengaged from learning. 47% of dropouts left school because classes weren't interesting.

The Problem: Dropouts North Carolina has the 3 rd highest dropout rate in the country. 89% of prisoners in the Buncombe County System are high school drop outs.

So we asked ourselves… What’s needed to address these problems effectively?

Solution: Awareness There is no energy shortage. There is no energy crisis. There is a crisis of ignorance. R. Buckminster Fuller

Solution: Inspiration Inspiration and genius are one in the same. Victor Hugo

Solution: Cooperation The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Aristotle, in Metaphysics

So we asked ourselves… What do WE need to do?

Collaborate with existing programs Bountiful Cities Project

Collaborate with existing programs Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

Collaborate with existing programs Blue Ridge Biofuels

Collaborate with existing programs Land of Sky Regional Council’s Waste Reduction Partners

Collaborate with existing programs And…

Obtain a global perspective from experiential learning AirOcean Dymaxion Map

Obtain a global perspective from experiential learning AirOcean Dymaxion Map

Use innovative tools for more intuitive learning Local Visualization Resources

Make better decisions by understanding interconnected systems 2004 Biltmore Flood Visualization

Make better decisions by understanding interconnected systems 2004 Biltmore Flood Visualization

Develop skills for creativity and innovation Hands-on learning

Encourage “best practices” through positive reinforcement Local Hero Award

So we asked ourselves… How are WE going to do it?

Strategy 1: Make the Invisible Visible Visualization tools & immersive displays enable us to view and intuitively understand complex concepts and interrelationships that are normally imperceptible.

Strategy 1: Make the Invisible Visible Energy Usage Visualization

WNC Community Media Center Strategy 1: Make the Invisible Visible

More Synergy, Less Energy Wiki Strategy 1: Make the Invisible Visible

Strategy 2: Develop School Without Walls Program Community-based education provides experiential, hands-on, real world lessons that not only raise global awareness, but use tools that fully engage students.

Strategy 3: Corporate/Community Cooperation Home Depot Compact Florescent Giveaway & Recycling

Funding 47% of dropouts left school because classes weren't interesting 81% of dropouts called for more 'real-world' learning opportunities It costs $23,200 to jail one inmate per year It costs $10,000 per school student

Potential Partners Children First of Buncombe County Communities in Schools School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville Asheville City Schools Foundation Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Center for Diversity Education Asheville Alternative Education Foundation UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center Warren Wilson’s Environmental Leadership Center BigPictureSmallWorld Buckminster Fuller Institute Local Corporate Partners

So we finally asked ourselves… What are YOU going to do?

Next Steps If you have any ideas, resources, or would like to support the successful implementation of these strategies, please talk to us. Develop prototype programs (school-wide assemblies, workshops, after-school programs, summer programs, continuing education) Work with the City/County to develop effective visualization tools Train educators how to use visualization tools Purchase Dymaxion Map Connect educators with local visualization resources

Questions/Help Ask for help with any questions/problems you may have