In Focus
By Sarah Grace Smith
Project Zero s e o r He Cultivating a culture of creativity
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Staff engage in professional development using Project Zero philosophies and techniques.
Schools, began an unofficial Project Zero program in Upper Arlington before introducing it to Grandview five years ago. Project Zero workshops demonstrate the research center’s findings and offer tools for teachers to implement in their
Students engage in a visible thinking exercise to weigh the implications of a current issue. 12
classrooms. Alter says the practices Project Zero encourages include visualizing the process of thinking, documenting learning and fostering an environment of creativity. “It really supports the idea of students gaining ownership of their learning, having a better understanding of their learning and being advocates for their learning,” Alter says. Alter began by creating inquiry groups for teachers to study books following Project Zero’s ideas, including Creating Cultures of Thinking by Ron Ritchhart. Through Project Zero, teachers also have the option to attend workshops and professional development days around central Ohio that relate to Project Zero. Events have been hosted by authors and organizations such as the Columbus Museum of Art. If teachers need additional assistance in implementing Project Zero’s tools in the classroom, Alter works with them for as long as they need, anywhere from a few
September/October 2021 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Marc Alter
new type of learning has entered Grandview Heights Schools, and it’s changing minds and challenging the status quo. Project Zero, a research center at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, promotes new ways of thinking about intelligence, creativity and understanding. According to the Project Zero website, its aim is to “understand and enhance learning, thinking and creativity for individuals and groups in the arts and other disciplines.” In other words, it offers an entirely new way of learning – a way that empowers students. Through seminars, book studies and courses, teachers in Project Zero use Harvard research to implement new educational practices in their classroom. The program offers tools in multiple different subjects and areas, but the underlying mission through it all is to help students think for themselves rather than just memorize facts. Marc Alter, the director of 21st century learning for Grandview Heights
