Latest news with #LearningLab
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
At their own pace: Wichita's ‘one-room' school model focuses on creativity, projects
At the Learning Lab in Union Station, more than a dozen students showcased their inventions as part of the Wichita school district's new Creative Minds project, a one-room classroom of kindergarten through sixth grade students. A self-watering device for indoor plants, a karaoke-like doll and a 'robot' that could be a child's new best friend were among the projects on display. Creative Minds features project-based learning, where a student picks what they want to do and then the teacher creates a curriculum based on that. 'I have the freedom and flexibility to build based on what their interest is, and their engagement is just so high because of it,' teacher Olivia Sumner said. While lessons are taught differently than in a traditional classroom, students go through all the same standardized testing as their peers at other schools – and their scores showed increased fluency in several different subjects throughout the year, according to their teacher. 'It's exciting how we've seen the growth from any of the core curriculum,' Sumner told the Wichita school board. Now the district plans to double Creative Mind's capacity, adding another classroom and growing from 16 students to more than 30 for the next school year. It's an effort to bring back students and give parents another option amid declining public school enrollment. The district has lost lost nearly 10% of its students since the 2014-15 school year. Sumner says the program works because as the students take ownership of their lessons, they become more invested in school. 'They decided what they wanted to research, and they decided what they wanted to create, and then we are learning through all of that creation,' Sumner told the school board at a recent meeting. 'It's awesome to see their confidence grow… 'One of our third-graders said he can finally be a kid again, they get to learn their way.' That's also allowed students to feel more comfortable in the classroom. 'The inclusivity of our room is a really rare feeling. They're so quick to just be like, 'I'm struggling right now because of my ADHD,' 'My autism is not letting my brain do this right now,' and so, like, there's just no stigma in here,' Sumner said in an interview with The Eagle. Students learn at their own pace. In math, their teacher explained, lessons are taught through Zearn, an educational software. If she sees that a student may be struggling with a particular lesson, they can do more practice on their own to advance to the next section. 'It allows them to grow wherever they are,' Sumner said. 'When I have a student who hits the end of a grade level, I give them an end of that grade level assessment, and if they pass it, we keep going. If there's something I see a gap in, we come back.' Candice Spires has two students in Creative Minds. She's also a paraprofessional that works with students who may need extra help throughout the day. 'They get to express themselves creatively,' Spires said. 'It's not just, 'do this, do that.' They get to stick to a certain standard and then choose what they want to do with it. 'It's very much whatever works for them, works for them, versus everyone sticking to the same thing.' Her kids participated in the invention showcase – with one of them, fifth-grader Devaylee Ingram, being part of a team that's working with Groover Labs on its invention: Cameron Bot. The robot has a projector that projects videos for children to learn various interactive lessons without connecting to YouTube or the internet. Devaylee was upbeat and charismatic as she gave a pitch about the robot with her classmates. 'You can take it anywhere you want, and your child can watch the video. It's wireless, by the way,' she said in her pitch. 'It doesn't require use of the cloud either, which means your child's data is safe.' The program is seeing high demand. Its wait list is approaching 100 students, according to the district. Parents can get their students on the wait list for the next school year by filling out an interest in enrollment form. Students will be chosen through a lottery by grade level. Parents must provide transportation to and from the school. As the program doubles in size, it will add another classroom inside the Learning Lab. The district has been leasing space at the for-profit Learning Lab, which has ties to Koch Industries, for $6,000 this school year. That amount will increase for the next school year, but details have yet to be finalized, according to the district. Administrators and Sumner haven't decided what next year will look like with two classrooms, but there will be another teacher. Reading lessons are likely to be split up, similar to how they are now between Sumner and a para. Younger students, likely kindergarten through second or third grade, will go with one teacher to learn how to read, while older students will split off with another teacher. 'We'll play it by ear based on student needs at the beginning of the year,' Sumner said. Creative Minds will also use lessons learned in this trial year, including offering breakfast and lunch. Unlike a regular public school setting, breakfast and lunch weren't initially offered through the school and students had to pack their own food. That'll change next year. 'We'll be delivering a large refrigerator to the Learning Lab this summer to deliver breakfast and lunch,' USD 259 Chief Information Officer Rob Dickson said.
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tiger Woods, Augusta National Golf Club partner to build 4th TGR Learning Lab in Augusta
Tiger Woods, Augusta National Golf Club partner to build 4th TGR Learning Lab in Augusta AUGUSTA, Ga. — In addition to Augusta National Golf Club's partnership with Tiger Woods' non-profit TGR Foundation to renovate 'The Patch,' there was another piece of the announcement with the potential to be more wide-reaching. Masters chairman Fred Ridley broke the news Monday that Augusta would be the home of the fourth TGR Learning Lab, which focuses on bring learning experiences to under-resourced students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) fields. As it turns out, the idea came about as Ridley and Woods were playing golf ahead of the 2024 Masters Tournament. 'Well, I don't know if it was a lightbulb moment, but I happened to be playing golf with Tiger about a year ago, a couple weeks before the Masters, and I thought I would mention The Patch Project, which I think we were formally announcing that week at the tournament,' Ridley said. 'He then sort of moved into discussing the big idea of the TGR Learning Lab, which to me is just very exciting. We also recognize the importance of deepening Tiger's legacy in Augusta and with the Masters, and this we felt was an enduring way that we could be forever connected with Tiger and all he's done at the Masters and now all that he's going to be doing in this community.' The first TGR Learning Lab opened in Anaheim, California, in 2006. A second opened in Philadelphia's Cobbs Creek neighborhood, and a third is in the works for Los Angeles. TGR Learning Lab Augusta will be situated in the Harrisburg neighborhood in the former Lamar Elementary School site. It's expected to open sometime in 2028. Programs will be offered throughout the year, including during weekends and summer vacation. With input from the Richmond County Board of Education, Ridley said the location in the heart of Richmond County and its proximity to schools was behind the decision. 'Well, we've been extremely grateful for the enthusiasm and the partnership and the cooperation of the school board. The fact that this was a vacant facility obviously made it a great candidate,' he said. 'And when you look at its location in the Harrisburg neighborhood, close to Richmond Academy and several other schools, I understand, and then really in direct proximity to the HUB and the Boys & Girls Club that had been a big initiative of ours and others in recent years, it really made a lot of sense because it really needs to be near the people that it's going to serve.' The program is free and, as of now, the focus is on Richmond County. More updates will be shared when they become available. 'I would have to defer to the experts when it comes to curriculum and exactly how all that's going to be implemented. But the idea is that it is free. It is open to many, many -- as we said, potentially 23,000 students,' Ridley said. 'It really focuses on three things: academic achievement, health and well-being, and college and career opportunities. So that's the mission of the Learning Lab. But it will provide many, many people in this area with the opportunities' Ridley also left the door open for other organizations to donate and get involved. 'I'm sure others will want to join us in this worthy endeavor,' he said. 'Investing in STEAM education for our youth will strengthen our community and drive economic growth. It will spark innovation and deliver a skilled workforce that will serve Augusta for many years to come. These are worthy investments, and TGR Learning Lab Augusta will help make all of this a reality.' Woods wasn't present for the press conference as he's still recovering from Achilles' tendon surgery, but he did relay a video message thanking Augusta National for its support and reiterating his desire to give back to the city of Augusta.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Woods teams with Augusta National on course design, school project
A view of a pin flag on course during a practice round prior to the 2025 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club (Richard HEATHCOTE) Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods will partner with Augusta National Golf Club on a municipal golf course design project and a new TGR Learning Lab school in the tournament's home town, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said Monday. Advertisement With the 89th edition of the Masters set to tee off at Augusta National on Thursday, Ridley announced that the club's renovation of Augusta Municipal Golf Course -- known locally as The Patch -- would include a nine-hole par-three course designed by Woods and his course architecture firm TGR Design. The club will also partner with Woods's charitable foundation to create a TGR Learning Lab school in Augusta, which will be the fourth such facility launched by Woods aimed at providing access to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education for students in under-resourced communities. Woods opened the first Learning Lab in Anaheim, California, in 2006 and the second school opened in Philadelphia this year. Another is slated to open in Los Angeles in 2026 and the Augusta facility is expected to open in 2028. Advertisement Ridley said the partnership evolved after a discussion with Woods about The Patch project during a round of golf. "I don't know if it was a lightbulb moment, but I happened to be playing golf with Tiger about a year ago, a couple weeks before the Masters, and I thought I would mention The Patch Project, which I think we were formally announcing that week at the tournament," Ridley said. "It was clear when I shared the concept that it sort of piqued his interest, and that was sort of the beginning of a conversation, a dialogue that took place between our organizations, and after that a few meetings took place, and the idea just sort of grew from what we were doing to how Tiger and TGR could be involved. "He then sort of moved into discussing the big idea of the TGR Learning Lab, which to me is just very exciting." Advertisement Ridley said the short course that Woods will design will be called The Loop at The Patch in a nod to "caddies who have used the course as a gathering spot for decades." - Injury setback - While Augusta National has a become a byword for exclusivity, Ridley said the club is determined that the renovated municipal course, including The Loop, will remain affordable and accessible to local golfers. Woods's role in that project and in bringing the Learning Lab to Augusta is a way of "deepening Tiger's legacy in Augusta and with the Masters," Ridley said. Woods himself did not attend the announcement as originally intended. The 15-time major champion revealed in March that he had undergone surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. Advertisement The injury derailed the 49-year-old superstar's latest bid to return from injury. He hasn't teed it up in a tournament since the Open Championship last July and had back surgery in September. He had planned to play in the Genesis Invitational in February, but withdrew in the wake of his mother's death. Woods has nevertheless remained a presence in the game. He hosted his World Challenge in December, played alongside his son, Charlie, in the PNC family tournament that month and has seen TGL, the simulator league he launched with Rory McIlroy, get off the ground this year. bb/js
Reuters
07-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Tiger, Augusta National to team up on nine-hole course, training center
April 7 - Tiger Woods will partner with Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament to bring "affordable golf and educational programming" to Augusta. Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, provided details of the agreement with the five-time Masters champion on Monday as tournament week kicked off with heavy rain that delayed most of the day's festivities. TGR Foundation, a nonprofit directed by Woods, revealed plans to construct a new TGR Learning Lab in Augusta, Ga., to become the fourth training center opened by Woods. His course architecture firm, TGR Design, will also design the new, nine-hole short course as part of the renovation of the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, commonly known as "The Patch." "Today's announcements mark an important milestone for Augusta and deepen the connection our community has with one of our greatest Masters champions, Tiger Woods," said Ridley. "We are thankful to partner with the TGR Foundation and jointly invest in the Augusta community. This partnership, in the TGR Learning Lab, reflects our shared interest in increasing access to high-quality programming and impacting the next generation in a tangible way. Ridley said the agreement is part of a "commitment to create an affordable and inviting golf experience ... creating opportunities to learn and fall in love with the game as well as developing a pipeline for employment in the golf industry." "Partnering with Augusta National Golf Club to serve its surrounding community is truly special," said Woods. "My passion for education and golf dates back a long time, as does my relationship with Augusta National and the city of Augusta. This is a transformational opportunity to empower the next generation and deliver meaningful educational programming and access to fun and affordable golf. I am excited to work alongside Augusta National and see both projects become a reality." Woods is not playing in The Masters because of his health. It's the first time he has missed a start in the tournament since a car accident wiped out his entire 2022 season. Woods announced on March 11 he had surgery on his ruptured left Achilles tendon. Recovery to complete mobility from the injury can take 6-12 months. With the exception of a tournament with his son, Charlie, and TGL events, the 49-year-old Woods has not played competitive golf since the 2024 Open Championship last July.
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tiger Woods teaming with Augusta National to design 9-hole short course at 'The Patch'
Tiger Woods teaming with Augusta National to design 9-hole short course at 'The Patch' Tiger Woods is planting roots in the Augusta community. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley announced Monday at the 2025 Masters that the Augusta National Golf Club will partner with the five-time Masters champion to design a nine-hole short course as part of the renovation of the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, commonly known as 'The Patch." Woods' non-profit, the TGR Foundation, will also construct a TGR Learning Lab in Augusta. 'Today's announcements mark an important milestone for Augusta and deepen the connection our community has with one of our greatest Masters champions, Tiger Woods,' said Ridley. 'We are thankful to partner with the TGR Foundation and jointly invest in the Augusta community. This partnership, in the TGR Learning Lab, reflects our shared interest in increasing access to high-quality programming and impacting the next generation in a tangible way. The learning lab will provide access to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education and opportunities for young people to prepare for their future. 'Partnering with Augusta National Golf Club to serve its surrounding community is truly special,' said Woods in a statement released by the club. 'My passion for education and golf dates back a long time, as does my relationship with Augusta National and the city of Augusta. This is a transformational opportunity to empower the next generation and deliver meaningful educational programming and access to fun and affordable golf. I am excited to work alongside Augusta National and see both projects become a reality.' The short course will be called The Loop at The Patch. Work is expected to take about a year.
