Who gets invited to a conference on putting students to work?
When we first started organizing this event,we thought: “We need to get a bunch of headliner keynote big-wig speakers to come, if anyone else is going to sign up to come.” But the Middlebury TEDx event reinforced our thesis: students are a unique force in schools,and they should be put in charge on organizing delegations to come to this event. Where even a seasoned and
respected teacher might have other priorities or encounter resistance, students who are organizing and motivatedwill often create the conditions for change at schools.
What change are we looking to celebrate?
We know of an Island School alumnus who went back to Nantucket High School, got town councils and superintendents involved, won a federal grant to put up a wind generator. We know a school in Africa that is growing leaders by selecting the best from all over the continent, giving hope and incentive to those younger students that there’s a chance for education and guidance to reach
their dreams. Students at a school in New York City have learned to SCUBA dive and are replanting oyster beds in a river estuary that once teemed with oysters. And a school in Cleveland is breaking the mold by introducing a 3-week intensive field experiences where the school becomes a base camp for explorations in the environment.
What do I get out of it?
The first thing you get out of it is the challenge and opportunity to organize a group from your school: students, teachers,
administrators, parents… a group of people who will help you plan, raise money together, and execute on coming to the conference. Maybe 2 or 3 or 4 will come with you. Perhaps your school is already committed to learning best practices in getting students engaged in solving real problems through the classroom curriculum. Or maybe you want to start the dialogue on how your school manages waste, or uses energy, or where its food comes from. You will see and hear examples of how other students and other schools have solved these problems.
How do I participate?
Interested delegations should register and submit abstracts about what they are doing to contribute to the GOOD work of their
institution. At the conference delegations will have the opportunity to present their work in a symposium.
Conference Logistics:
Where: Cape Eleuthera, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Arrive: Travel on Thursday, March 24th to Rock Sound Airport, Rock Sound, Eleuthera (RSD)
Depart: Fly from Rock Sound (RSD) back home on Sunday March 27th
Cost: There are no conference fees to attend. There are limited shared housing options (free), but we will help you arrange housing at reasonable rates ($70/night), and those delegations with adults are asked to support the cost of a rental car ($80/day) where necessary to facilitate accommodations. Scholarship: Limited funding is available to support delegations attending the conference. If your delegation needs assistance with travel to Eleuthera, please download an application here and email it to conferences@capeeleutherafoundation.org.