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Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The Geography Edition

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Kathryn deBros December 23, 2014

Learning doesn’t have to be limited to the classroom. Supplement your child’s knowledge with these activities to make her giddy about geography.

In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

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The kids who are successful in school are those who remain curious even after the last bell rings, who notice the world around them, and who make connections between subjects and ideas. There are millions of ways to keep minds of all ages active and engaged outside the classroom.

The following article is part of a Noodle series about how to integrate learning into everyday life in order to instill a love of knowledge in your kids.

The Geography Edition

The beauty of living in a global society is that we have access to so much — information, ideas, photos, cultures. There may not be any continents left to discover, but there is still so much to explore! Use these ideas to inspire your child’s adventurous side.

# Keep maps around the house.

There are shower curtains with maps, as well as placemats, puzzles, and mugs — and many kids are still dazzled by a spinning globe. Keep something colorful and touchable handy for all of the “where" questions that arise.

# Investigate food from around the world.

Use your globe to pick a location and learn about the climate and culture of that place. How does the weather affect what food is grown? Which foods are for special occasions, and which are for everyday meals?

After learning about ingredients, taste your way around the world. The Metro Child Care Resource and Referral organization of Oregon offers a wonderful guide for younger children to make snacks from around the world, and Washington State University has a more in-depth project and resource list for older kids.

# Make a map.

Map your house or neighborhood, complete with a legend, compass, and important landmarks. For older kids, practice drawing a map to scale. To engage young explorers fully, turn your map-making into a treasure hunt; take turns hiding something special and giving map-related clues to find it.

# Go on a high-tech treasure hunt.

Geocaching is a digitally-guided treasure hunt that is created by a community of users. People can hide a cache, or specially-marked box, in their area, and tag it on the app that connects to a phone’s GPS device. Take your kids on a hunt for a cache, and work on navigating your city or town. When you get to the cache, it’ll have a notebook you can sign your name in, as well as a collection of knickknacks you are encouraged to trade and exchange.

Once they have had some practice, kids may enjoy planting their own cache for others to find. Look on the official website for more specific guidelines about finding and creating geocaches. Kids learn about navigation, maps, GPS, and exploration of the world around them — and they even finish the day with a little treasure!

# Talk about language.

Learn about all the English words that came from other languages, and how we happened to pick them up through exploration and conquest. The University of Manchester offers a free online game, along with other resources, for learning about these “borrowed" words.

# Read.

Find books and magazines that allow you to explore the cultures, bugs, plants, and flags of the world. A comprehensive list of picture and activity books for young children can be found through Portland State University. Another for older children was put together by Western Kentucky University. When in doubt, explore National Geographic for Kids, an engaging website that is overflowing with amazing information.

# Discover the geography of basic objects.

Where does each component of your pencil come from? Take a peek at all the “Made in…" labels in your house. How many originate in China? Taiwan? The United States? Look at labels on food to see which state or country your dinner came from, and find those places on a map.

Want more ideas on how to cultivate a love of learning in your child? Check out other parts of this series:

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The Civics Edition

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The History Edition

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The Language Arts Edition

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The Math Edition

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The Music Edition

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The Nutrition Edition

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Life: The Science Edition

Sneak Learning into Everyday Life: The Visual Arts Edition