Good Day Sunshine: Students Rise to Solar-Car Challenge

Published on Edutopia.org on April 18, 2008.

In the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, one high school's new project-learning program is piquing students' interest in higher education and building their critical-thinking skills.

http://www.edutopia.org/solar-car-critical-thinking

Crowning the Best Barista

Aired on KQED's The California Report Friday, April 4, 2008

http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R804041630/f

It's said that across the world, coffee is the second-most consumed beverage after water. For baristas -- experts in making espresso drinks -- coffee is second to none. Thirty-five of the best baristas from California and Hawaii faced off in Berkeley last weekend at the Western Regional Barista Competition.

Treasured Island: Giving Students Real Skills and Real Responsibilities

Published on April 1, 2008 in Edutopia Magazine, with audio slide show published on edutopia.org.

http://www.edutopia.org/small-maine-school
http://www.edutopia.org/how-to-real-world-projects
http://www.edutopia.org/learning-vessel-slide-show

Located on an island twelve miles off the coast of Maine, North Haven Community School is the smallest K-12 school in the state. But this scrappy school has, often out of necessity, developed innovations that can inspire schools of any size, anywhere.

Teaching With Passion: Advice for Young Educators

Published on March 25, 2008 on edutopia.org

http://www.edutopia.org/jonathan-kozol-advice-teachers

I write about Jonathan Kozol, a hero to many teachers and advocate for students in high-poverty schools. In Letters to A Young Teacher and in talks to educators at the New Teacher Center Symposium, Kozol talks about building relationships, fostering creativity, and standing up for students.

Living Legends: Oral History Projects Bring Core Subjects to Life

Published on March 4, 2008 on edutopia.org

http://www.edutopia.org/oral-history-projects

I get to talk to some of my favorite educators, and discuss one of my favorite student projects, in this month's project based learning article.

Modeling Wilderness Management: Build Your Own National Park

Published on February 20, 2008 on edutopia.org

http://www.edutopia.org/yosemite-institute-wilderness-management

I hang out with 7th graders from Santa Monica in Yosemite National Park as they learn about balancing enjoyment with preservation in this adaptable lesson from the Yosemite Institute.

The Whole Hog

Aired on KQED's The California Report Friday, February 8, 2008.

http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R802081630/c

California restaurateurs are bending over backwards these days to include words like "local" and "organic" on their menus. But what about "pig cheeks," "back fat" and "trotters?" The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park recently hosted a gathering of California chefs known for pushing the culinary envelope.