Educating for the Future: The Power of Interdisciplinary Spaces | Theresa Lim | TEDxYouth@SHC

Summary

The TEDx Youth talk at SHC critiques traditional school schedules, arguing they're impractical for real-world jobs. It highlights the disconnect between employers' expectations and graduates' skills, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary learning. The speaker shares a personal project on ovarian cancer research, illustrating how blending subjects like biology, statistics, and computer science fosters deep understanding and critical thinking. The talk calls for a shift in educational paradigms, urging colleges to value interdisciplinary learning to better prepare students for future challenges.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The speaker criticizes the rigid and impractical school schedule that doesn't align with real-world work environments.
• 🤔 There is a disconnect between what schools are teaching and the skills employers believe recent graduates lack, particularly in critical thinking.
• 🧠 The speaker emphasizes the importance of STEM education not being compartmentalized but rather integrated and interconnected.
• 🧬 The speaker shares a personal story of conducting interdisciplinary research on ovarian cancer, highlighting the benefits of combining biology, statistics, and computer science.
• 🔬 Interdisciplinary learning allows for a deeper understanding of subjects and the ability to make connections between different fields of study.
• 🤝 The advantages of interdisciplinary spaces include fostering critical thinking skills and the ability to approach problems from multiple angles.
• 🧐 The difference between problem-solving and critical thinking is highlighted, with the latter being more about asking and answering complex questions without a single correct solution.
• 📚 The speaker calls for a change in educational systems, starting with how colleges value and prioritize interdisciplinary learning.
• 🌟 High schools should provide students with the time and space to explore their own ideas and questions, which is crucial for developing independent thinking.
• 🛣️ The ultimate goal of education should be to prepare students with the skills necessary to tackle big problems and succeed in their future careers.
• 🌍 The speaker concludes by urging for a holistic approach to education that can equip students to change the world.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker identifies with the current school schedule?

The speaker identifies that the current school schedule is rigid and impractical, with a structure that would be considered ridiculous in any workplace, yet it is what they experience daily at school.

What phrase is often used to describe the purpose of schools preparing students for the future?

The phrase 'educating for the future' is often used to describe the idea that schools should equip students with the skills necessary for success in their future jobs.

According to the speaker, what is the disconnect between students' and employers' perceptions of preparedness for jobs?

The disconnect is that while nearly 90% of recent college graduates believe they are well-prepared for jobs, only 60% of employers agree with them, indicating that many graduates lack critical thinking skills.

How does the speaker describe the traditional view of STEM?

The speaker describes the traditional view of STEM as disjointed and compartmentalized into separate boxes for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which does not reflect how these fields actually work in the real world.

What personal health concern does the speaker mention and how did it influence their school project?

The speaker mentions a predisposition to ovarian cancer due to family history, which influenced their school project to use statistical programming to analyze ovarian cancer data from the NIH's Cancer Genome Atlas Project.

What interdisciplinary approach did the speaker take for their school project on ovarian cancer?

The speaker took an interdisciplinary approach by combining biology, statistics, and computer science to analyze genomic factors determining the severity of ovarian cancer, which allowed them to make connections between these subjects.

Why does the speaker argue that traditional classrooms do not foster true critical thinking?

The speaker argues that traditional classrooms only teach problem-solving in the form of question-answering, which is more akin to an algorithmic process rather than fostering true critical thinking skills.

What is the difference between problem-solving and critical thinking as described by the speaker?

Problem-solving in traditional classrooms is described as recognizing certain types of questions and answering them using a predefined method, whereas critical thinking involves asking and answering one's own questions, which requires deeper analysis and understanding.

How does the speaker suggest that interdisciplinary spaces benefit students in developing critical thinking skills?

Interdisciplinary spaces benefit students by requiring them to analyze topics deeply, ask their own questions, and find answers, which involves both the formulation and resolution of complex problems, thus developing critical thinking skills.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of interdisciplinary learning for tackling big problems like cancer or climate change?

The speaker believes that interdisciplinary learning is crucial for tackling big problems because it allows students to approach issues holistically from multiple angles, which can lead to better and faster solutions.

What change does the speaker propose for both high schools and colleges to better prepare students for the future?

The speaker proposes that both high schools and colleges should prioritize interdisciplinary learning, giving students the time and space to explore their own ideas and questions, and valuing this approach alongside traditional transcripts and test scores.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Disparity Between School Schedules and Real-World Work

The speaker introduces a TEDx event and a hypothetical startup with an impractical schedule, using it as a metaphor for the rigid and unrealistic daily school schedules many students follow. They argue that schools are not effectively preparing students for the future workplace, as evidenced by a study showing a disconnect between employers' and graduates' perceptions of readiness. The speaker also critiques the compartmentalization of STEM subjects in schools, suggesting that the real-world application of these fields is far more integrated than taught.

05:01

🔬 The Power of Interdisciplinary Learning in Education

The speaker shares a personal story of conducting independent research on ovarian cancer, highlighting the benefits of interdisciplinary learning. They contrast the traditional classroom approach, which they feel limits the integration of subjects, with their own experience, where they were able to deeply understand and connect biology, statistics, and computer science. The speaker emphasizes the importance of asking and answering one's own questions as a form of critical thinking, which is distinct from the problem-solving taught in traditional classes. They conclude by advocating for a change in educational systems, from high schools to colleges, to prioritize and value interdisciplinary learning, which they believe is essential for students to tackle complex global issues.

Keywords

💡TEDx Youth

TEDx Youth is a program of local, self-organized events that bring the spirit of TED to communities around the world. In the script, it is mentioned as the organizer of the event where the speaker is presenting their story, emphasizing the platform's role in sharing innovative ideas and fostering dialogue among young thinkers.

💡Startup

A startup refers to a young company that is in the initial stages of its operations. In the context of the video, the term is used metaphorically to describe an imaginary company with a rigid and impractical schedule, highlighting the contrast between the speaker's school schedule and real-world workplace expectations.

💡Employee Workflow

Employee workflow refers to the sequence of tasks and activities that employees engage in during their workday. The script uses the concept to critique the speaker's school schedule, which they find to be overly structured and inefficient, mirroring the kind of rigidity that could be found in outdated workplace practices.

💡Interdisciplinary Learning

Interdisciplinary learning is an educational approach that integrates knowledge and ideas from multiple academic disciplines into a cohesive educational experience. The speaker advocates for this method, illustrating how it allowed them to connect biology, statistics, and computer science in their independent research project on ovarian cancer.

💡STEM

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It represents an interdisciplinary approach to education that combines these fields. The speaker initially viewed STEM as separate entities but later understood the interconnectedness of these fields, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach in education.

💡Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The speaker mentions their predisposition to ovarian cancer due to family history and uses it as a personal motivation for undertaking an interdisciplinary research project, demonstrating the relevance of personal experiences in educational pursuits.

💡Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. The speaker contrasts problem-solving with critical thinking, arguing that traditional education often focuses on the former, while interdisciplinary spaces foster the latter, as seen in the speaker's project where they had to formulate and answer their own research questions.

💡Holistic Approach

A holistic approach considers the whole system or entity, rather than just individual parts. The speaker suggests that addressing complex problems like cancer or climate change requires a holistic view, which is also a skill that interdisciplinary learning environments can instill in students, preparing them for real-world challenges.

💡College Admissions

College admissions refers to the process by which students are selected for entry into higher education institutions. The speaker argues that for high schools to change their educational approach, colleges must also prioritize and value interdisciplinary learning in their admissions criteria, reflecting a need for systemic educational reform.

💡Education for the Future

Education for the future is the concept of preparing students with the skills needed to succeed in their future careers. The speaker critiques the current educational system for failing to align with this concept, using the rigid school schedule as an example, and calls for a shift towards interdisciplinary learning to better prepare students for the evolving job market.

💡Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is the process of finding solutions to problems. The speaker differentiates between problem-solving and critical thinking, noting that traditional education often focuses on algorithmic problem-solving, whereas interdisciplinary learning fosters a more nuanced approach to tackling complex issues, as demonstrated by the speaker's research project.

Highlights

Introduction of a new startup idea that revolutionizes employee workflow.

Daily school schedule described as impractical and unlike any future workplace schedule.

The disconnect between what schools teach and the skills employers seek in graduates.

The flawed approach of teaching STEM subjects in isolation rather than as interconnected fields.

Personal story of predisposition to ovarian cancer and the lack of available screening.

Proposal of an independent research project to analyze ovarian cancer using statistical programming.

Interdisciplinary learning as a method to deeply understand and connect different subjects.

The importance of learning how to import and interpret data in the context of biology and statistics.

The advantage of interdisciplinary spaces in fostering deep understanding and application of subjects.

Difference between problem-solving and critical thinking, and how traditional classes often only teach the former.

The necessity of asking and answering one's own questions in the process of critical thinking.

Interdisciplinary learning as a way to tackle complex problems that do not fit under a single school subject.

The potential of interdisciplinary spaces to equip students with skills to address significant global challenges.

The need for a systemic change in education, starting with how colleges value and prioritize learning.

The call for colleges and high schools to prioritize interdisciplinary learning for better future preparation.

The argument that students need time and space to explore ideas and learn through questioning and discovery.

The conclusion that interdisciplinary learning gives students a head start in holistic problem-solving and success in future jobs.

Transcripts

tell your story change the conversation

organized by students TEDx youth at shc

I want to introduce to you a new startup

which is completely revolutionizing the

employee workflow I want you to listen

to their idea and let me know what you

think your day would start at 7:50 a.m.

and consists of five one-hour meetings

with 5 minutes in between to walk to

your next meeting which is usually in a

different location you would take

mandatory 30 minute breaks at 10 a.m.

and at noon each meeting will consist of

one topic and these topics would rotate

depending on what day of the week it is

I'll let you think for a moment so would

you want to work here if you can't

already tell this is an imaginary

startup don't worry and it's one that

would never make it a schedule like this

would be utterly ridiculous in any

workplace and yet this is what school is

teaching me to do what I describe to you

is exactly what my daily school schedule

looks like and it is far different than

any schedule I will encounter later in

my life one phrase that gets thrown

around a lot is educating for the future

I'm sure you've heard of it it's this

idea that our schools should give

students the skills they need to succeed

in their future jobs this idea isn't

controversial so why are we doing so

badly according to a recent study by pay

scale 60% of employers believe that

recent college graduates lack critical

thinking skills and despite nearly 90%

of these graduates believing they are

well-prepared for jobs

only half of employers agree with them

there must be a reason for this

disconnect but what could it be

stem or science technology engineering

and mathematics is often presented as

very disjointed if you were to ask me a

couple years ago to draw what stem looks

like I

shown you a set of clearly partitioned

boxes one for science one for technology

one for engineering and one for

mathematics just as the acronym implies

but as any scientist engineer or

mathematician will tell you this is not

how it works

stem if I were to illustrate it now

would look less like a grid and more

like a blurred Venn diagram where the

edges between subjects all blend and

flow into one another stem in our real

world doesn't exist in boxes so why

should it in our schools ovarian cancer

runs in my family in other words I'm

predisposed to it and this is a reality

that I live with every day so this past

summer I did some research on preventive

measures that I could take and in the

process learn that there's no easily

available screening for ovarian cancer

too many cases are caught too late

so this year I proposed an independent

research project for course called

independent inquiry at my school Sacred

Heart prep my project aim to use are a

statistical programming language to

analyze ovarian cancer from NIH s Cancer

Genome Atlas Project my goal was to

identify key genomic factors that

determine the severity of ovarian cancer

at the beginning of the year I

identified that my project has three

main subject areas biology statistics

and computer science if I were to take

on this project in a traditional

classroom environment that would mean I

would be taking three different classes

and have no time to make the connections

between the subjects instead this year

one of my periods was devoted to

interdisciplinary learning and I not

only learned more deeply about each of

the subjects individually but also was

able to connect them I learned how to

import biology data into our I learned

how to interpret the results of my code

in terms of statistics and biology I

learned how to find the needed packages

of code to run the statistical models I

wanted - all of these are skills I could

not and would not have learned in a tree

school environment which brings me to an

important advantage of interdisciplinary

spaces they demand that you have or

acquire a very deep understanding of

each of the subjects in order to apply

them to one another take MRNA for

example a topic I learned about an

honors biology my freshman year and one

that played an important role in my

project I learned freshman year that

higher levels of mRNA mean a gene is

being expressed more however for my

project this wasn't enough I had to also

understand how mRNA is measured and the

approximate range of values because I

learned about this topic in an

interdisciplinary space I learned about

it on a far deeper level than I would

have otherwise another advantage of

interdisciplinary spaces is that they

give students critical thinking skills

despite often being used interchangeably

problem-solving and critical thinking

are very different traditional classes

only teach students problem-solving in

the form of what I like to call question

answering students are taught how to

recognize certain types of questions and

answer them using an algorithm kind of

like a computer in comes a question out

goes an answer well this is effective in

a controlled classroom environment it

doesn't teach students true critical

thinking in an interdisciplinary space

I had to analyze a topic cancer and come

up with my own questions I had to ask

myself how will I quantify the

relationship between a gene and

mortality

how will I ensure the results of my

research is statistically significant

asking the questions was really half the

battle and involved deep critical

thinking and of course once I asked

these questions I had to do the second

part of critical thinking which is

answering them and unlike in a classroom

there's no one correct solution for me

it was a statistics and computer science

based approach but for somebody else it

might be in a biology lab both

approaches can yield important results

thus

interdisciplinary spaces give students

the skills and confidence they need to

take on big problems like cancer or

climate change these problems don't fit

neatly under single school subject and

right now as I'm speaking to you teams

of people from all different fields are

working together to tackle these

problems only by looking at a problem

holistically by coming at it from all

possible angles can we hope to get to

better solutions faster and by teaching

students this holistic approach we give

them a head start thinking about and

solving these problems this is the

potential of an interdisciplinary space

so what can we do change has to come

from the root of a problem why do

students go to high school answers will

vary but for most the ultimate goal is

to attend college our high schools have

been designed to cater to the emission

requirements of colleges so if we want

our high schools to change our colleges

have to change too many colleges are

creating interdisciplinary programs for

their students which is great the next

step is colleges and high schools have

to agree to prioritize interdisciplinary

learning for high school students

students need the time and space to

explore their own ideas ask their own

questions and find answers their own way

and they need colleges that value

interdisciplinary learning alongside

their transcripts and test scores this

is how we can educate for the future

students the skills they need to succeed

in their future jobs take on big

problems and ultimately change the world

thank you

you