STUDENTS EXPLORE A FLAT WORLD

Maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised, but I can’t believe how thrilled I am about our social studies courses. Who would have thought they’d be so powerful in a school focused on turning out more scientists? I don’t remember ever enjoying history or government when I was in school, but I love to take visitors into our social studies classes. Our teachers have done a great job of infusing STEM into their lessons and they use technology in very unique ways.

Before school even started this year, each 2^nd-year student was assigned to read “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman and “Native Son” by Richard Wright, and to compose an essay that explains how the world can be both flat and un-flat at the same time, using the books to support their thesis.

Pretty lofty, huh? I’ve read a few of the essays and these students really get it. As one student’s essay concluded:

I know that personally I will be affected by having more opportunities and more power than my parents had, or any of my ancestors for that matter.  I will have the individual control over myself and what I accomplish.  However, I know that I will be challenged and slowed down by the color of my skin, my gender, my ethnicity, and even my social status.  Even with those hindrances, I know that it would not be unreasonable to have the hope, even the slightest bit, that maybe someday we as humans can overcome prejudices over other’s differences and unite together to turn the dream of a flat and equal world into reality.

Such a profound and humbling statement!  As school began we learned that Thomas Freidman was to speak at the Fisher Council on Global Trade and Technology on the Ohio State campus in late September. The Fischer College of Business, which sponsored the event, graciously awarded Metro 100 tickets to the sold-out lecture so that our students could attend. Imagine how excited we were about this!

Even better, so was Thomas Friedman. I arrived at the event early and found Dr. Freidman signing copies of his latest book. I had a chance to speak with him and let him know that 100 Metro students were on their way and had read his book in social studies class. I wish I could have taken a picture of the expression on his face!

When the event started, Fischer College’s Interim Dean Stephen Mangum, sharing the stage with OSU President Gordon Gee, Les Wexner and Dr. Friedman, acknowledged our students in the audience and announced they had read “The World is Flat” for social studies. Dr. Friedman stood and applauded them! What a thrill for our kids who already admired this author. It was certainly one of those “goose bump” moments for me.