Engaging Gifted Students With Real-World Problems

This headline has been all over my feed: “...AI tutor rockets student test scores..." Everyone take a deep breath. We’ve seen this before, and it’s not the educational breakthrough we crave. We’ve been on this ride for 15 years—it’s just “adaptive practice”. But, to be clear, adaptive practice IS great. Putting students in front of personalized learning tools like Khan Academy would be better than a traditional lecture-based approach. And, I think those tools have a significant place in the future of school. But, we've seen this hype before: adaptive learning tools promise miracles, yet most students won't care. Their motivation remains untouched. The core issue is simple: teenagers aren't robots. Adaptive practice, even AI-enhanced, often feels like more efficiently delivered broccoli—still bland, still something adults make them eat. Even reducing schoolwork to three streamlined hours doesn't address the deeper issue: it remains disconnected from students' personal interests, dreams, and sense of purpose. Without meaningful context, shorter periods of adaptive practice simply reduce boredom—they don't eliminate it. That bargain will win over some students, but most won’t budge. Teenagers want meaning, community, and relevance. They engage deeply when learning connects with their interests and real-world goals. Picture this: instead of isolated science homework, students explore "Colonizing Mars," learning chemistry by balancing equations essential for rocket propulsion and sustaining life. Suddenly, chemistry matters because it connects directly to their interests. They deeply feel WHY the learning matters. Contents should be repackaged to fit into interesting, real-world problems. Those problems then animate all the thinking and hard work behind enduring learning. This isn't hypothetical—it’s called "interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning," the approach we've embraced at Sora Schools. Adaptive tools become powerful when integrated into meaningful, real-world contexts, transforming chores into meaningful experiences. True educational innovation won't come from yet another adaptive learning iteration. It demands a fundamental shift—connecting knowledge to contexts students genuinely care about. Until then, we'll keep spinning on this edtech merry-go-round.

In the face of the US housing shortage crisis, which has escalated from "terrible" to merely "bad" despite a surge in apartment construction, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. This challenge, while rooted in rising costs and economic pressures, offers an unexpected avenue for educators and tutors to contribute towards a solution. The crisis underscores a broader need for innovative thinking across all sectors, including education. How? By fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social responsibility in our students. Tutors and educators can play a pivotal role by integrating real-world issues, like the housing shortage, into their curriculums. This approach not only enriches the learning experience but also encourages students to apply their knowledge towards solving complex societal issues. Imagine a project-based learning module where students explore the economics of housing, the impact of policy, and the potential for sustainable development. Or a coding class tasked with developing an app that connects affordable housing projects with potential residents. The possibilities are endless and the impact, profound. By linking education with real-world challenges, we not only enrich our students' learning journeys but also empower the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders to tackle pressing issues like the housing crisis head-on. Let's discuss: How can educators and tutors further integrate societal challenges into their teaching to inspire innovation and change? Your thoughts and experiences could light the path to a brighter, more sustainable future.

Parents of High School Juniors and Seniors: The Start of School is stressful. Here is what you can do to bring clarity. Right now, many high school juniors and seniors are carrying the weight of “what’s next.” College. Which college. What major. Should they go into the trades, military, or straight to work? THE CLOCK IS TICKING... or so they might feel that way. As a dad to three incredible kids and someone who’s spent over 20 years helping students thrive, I want to offer a different perspective... one that opens doors most teens don’t even know exist. Instead of centering conversations around SATs, scholarships, or Common App deadlines, ask this: “What’s a problem in our community that you care about?” Because here’s the truth: the most in-demand skill right now... ACROSS EVERY INDUSTRY isn’t test-taking or resume padding. It’s problem-solving and leadership. At the STARTedUP Foundation, we teach students to look at the world like an entrepreneur. To see problems as opportunities. When a young person takes the initiative to help a nonprofit improve outreach, or a local business streamline a process, or even just volunteers to fix something that’s broken, that’s where confidence is born, and experience builds confidence, and most importantly, where leadership takes root. And here’s the kicker: real-world problem-solving leads to real-world connections. Mentorships. Internships. Your student wants to have a good college essay? Feature the insights on real work solving problems and it will turn heads. College isn't their thing right now? Well spending time helping others is a HUGE opportunity. So this school year, encourage your student to: Identify a problem in your community that would benefit a local nonprofit, small business, church. Reach out to someone affected by it. Offer help. Learn. Show up consistently. No “program” needed. Just initiative, curiosity, and action. The best part? This reframes the senior year from a source of stress into a season of purpose. It gives students a story that’s uniquely theirs — not just a checklist of what everyone else is doing. Bonus points if you are a junior or even a sophomore- this can be a longer term engagement of being a community problem solver. Let’s raise a generation that’s known not just for their GPA, but for their ability to lead, serve, and solve. I’d love to hear what problems your student notice... drop them in the comments if you wish. And if you’re already doing this kind of work with teens, tag someone who needs to see this. Their future isn’t just about where they’ll go. It’s about the difference they’re already making.