PHENND K-16 June Institute: Purpose Driven Education

Overview:

Each year the 2025 PHENND K-16 June Institute focuses on a topic of interest to the local K-16 community. This year’s theme is Purpose Driven Education and will feature F. Joseph Merlino and Deborah Pomeroy, authors of (Lexington Books, 2024). Joe and Deborah will discuss their book, provide historical context for the various eras of public education, and lay out, in their words, "...the educational challenges associated with entering a new era, such as catastrophic climate change, advanced artificial intelligence, massive demographic shifts, and worldwide digital disinformation campaigns. This era calls for a new urgency in thinking about how we will educate present and future generations of young people".

They will also share, along with fellow students and instructors, their international work in educational reform and focus on their groundbreaking work in Egypt. Finally, Institute participants will hear about local efforts in purpose driven education and engage in an activity designed to help us develop a purpose driven approach to working with our young people.

The June Institute is free of charge but we ask that you register in advance. The Institute will take place in the Winnett Student Life Building Great Hall (1700 Spring Garden Street). Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Feel free to bring materials for the resource tables and please spread the word!

Presenters (partial list):

Dr. Deborah Pomeroy, Associate professor emerita of science education at Arcadia University

F. Joseph Merlino, President of The 21st Century Partnership for STEM Education (21PSTEM)

Host or Publisher PHENND