11-5: WISE Day 2

Today was our final day at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) for the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE).  This morning we had an additional half hour to get ready (or sleep in) before heading over to QNCC for the start of the summit.  There was a delicious cereal, egg, hummus, local cheeses, and curry spread for breakfast.  We made the most of those 30 extra minutes!

The cereal spread!

The cheese and hummus section (Mr. Mock's favorite)!

Mr. Schmid's breakfast! Cheese, Hummus, Curry, and Dim Sum!

Our shuttle from the hotel to QNCC dropped us off with plenty of time to enjoy a cup of coffee and mingle with other delegates.  After coffee and a quick snack in the cafe, we had the chance to listen to a panel of education experts and United Nations Representatives discuss the issue around Education in Conflict Zones. A key topic discussed was the importance of educating children and young adults to help change societies for the better, even at times of war or displacement.

A few of QNCC from above the cafe.

A view from our seats in the QNCC Theater for the Opening Panel

After the opening panel and short break, we spent the next block of time continuing our work of designing schools of the future.  This time, we were split up and worked with two smaller groups.  It was a great opportunity for us to meet several new delegates and learn from them.  Both of our groups focused on developing and fostering curiosity in future schools.

Mr. Mock working with his group of delegates!

Mr. Schmid working with his group of delegates!

When this intense brainstorming and prototyping brainstorm came to an end, we spent part of the afternoon enjoying lunch and catching up with our professor, Dr. Moehle, from Southern New Hampshire University.  Mr. Mock thoroughly enjoyed the dessert table.

Mr. Mock and his seven different kinds of desserts!

In the second round of workshops, we had the chance to listen to a panel of global experts on fostering innovation in education.  They took the time to answer questions from the audience and explain their visions on innovation.  One of the members of the WISE Research Team was part of the panel!  The summit ended with a speech from the 2015 WISE Prize winner, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, for her inspirational and courageous work around education in Afghanistan.  We were lucky to hear the story and vision of such a tremendous leader in education.

Dr. Sakena Yacoobi receiving the 2015 WISE Prize from Her Highness Sheikha bint Nasser and First Lady Michelle Obama

11-04-15: World Innovation Summit for Education: Day One

Our day started VERY early this morning!  We awoke and had breakfast by 6:00 AM our time, which was 10:00 PM yesterday in Milton.  We boarded a shuttle bus which took us about 13 kilometers west from our hotel to the Qatar National Convention Center in Ar-Rayyan.  Security was tight because both Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Qatar and First Lady Michelle Obama were attending the conference.

This giant spider sculpture MIGHT have been part of security!

We got to hear both ladies' speeches and saw Dr. Sakena Yacoobi win the 2015 WISE Prize for Education based on her work with helping educate the poor girls of Afghanistan.

Tomorrow night Doctor Yacoobi will give a speech.

After the opening ceremonies, we worked with a diverse group of people from all over the world.  Our task was to design the important parts of the school of the future.  It was a lot of fun and we have some great ideas to share when we get back.  Part two of the session will be held tomorrow.

Mr. Mock's hands are on the left.  Mr. Schmid took the picture.

After lunch, we worked with a group of girls from the Cambridge International School for Girls.  Our challenge was to design a free-wheeler vehicle from Lego pieces and to see whose vehicle could travel the furthest.  One group of girls was really struggling, so Mr. Schmid jumped in and lent them a hand!

A teacher is a teacher no matter where he is in the world!

After the competition, we had the chance to take our official photo and to place Milton on the giant map in the convention hall.

#Miltontime

After our final speakers of the day, we boarded a bus and headed back to our hotel, tired but still laughing and having lots of fun!  We got back by about 18:45, which made for a 12 hour day!!

And we get to do it all again tomorrow!

11-3-15: Books, Camels, and Badges

Today was another great adventure!  We took a taxi halfway to the Qatar National Library.  From there, we walked through Souq Waqif and various other parts of Doha to get to the library.  When we arrived at the library, we spent about an hour exploring the various section of the library, reading, and cooling off.

Our professor, Dr. Moehle, investigating the Reference Section of the library.

There were no computers to search for books.  We could only use the Dewey Decimal system!

From there, we went back to Souq Waqif for lunch and some shopping.  At lunch, we had the chance to eat camel kabobs with rice!  It did NOT taste like chicken.

Our Camel & Rice lunch platter

One of the shops in Souq Waqif

We ended the night by picking up our official Delegate badges for tomorrow's conference!  We are excited and ready to go!

Our official badges!

11-2: School Visits and Meat On A Stick

Our second full day in Doha was a whirlwind of excitement and learning.  After breakfast, we were driven to the American School of Doha.

We had so much fun touring a school that was similar to but also very different from ours!  We were very pleased to see the students in a fifth grade math class learning how to do multiplication the exact same way we are!

And they got to write on the table with Expo Marker!

We also toured the Middle School and High School buildings that were right next door.  The kids in the Elementary School have so many opportunities to work with the older kids in a collaborative manner!

The view across the courtyard to the High School

The library was set up like ours, too.  We saw many books that we recognized, including "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", "Catching Fire", and The Divergent Series.

Student art work was on display!

After lunch at the biggest mall either of us have ever been to (The 100,000 sq. meter Villagio Mall  could hold over 1,200 of our classrooms!) we went to the Qatar-Finland International School to see how kids learn in a school modeled after the schools of Finland!

#qatartime

Mr. Schmid learning how to sew!

And when we got back to our hotel, we walked to the grocery store to stock up on snacks.  Here is a view of the street we walked along.

Click to make it larger!

We ended our night with a traditional Qatari meal of beef and shrimp hibachi.  Mmmm-mmm-mmm!

11-1: We've Made It!

After what seemed like a week of traveling, we've made it to Doha, Qatar safe and sound.  Today we explored some of the city.  We took a trip to the Museum of Islamic Art and visited the marketplace of Souq Waqif.

Tomorrow we'll be visiting the American School of Doha and Qatar Finland International School.

Here are some photos from today's adventure:

10-30: On Our Way!

Preparing to leave Montreal for the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE)!

Keep checking for more photos and videos!

Hey, it's our plane!

10-26: Missing Assignment Progress Reports

Due to Mr. Schmid's unexpected illness today, this week's Progress Reports will be sent home tomorrow.  We apologize for any inconvenience.