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The 1st Pioneer Co-Curricular Summit

The 1st Annual Pioneer Academic Summit was a success!

Over the course of the two jam-packed days, leaders in the field shared their insights on the latest developments in co-curricular programming. Participants engaged in thought-provoking dialogues. 

New connections were made. Inspiration abounded. Enthusiasm ruled. AND 25 students took our summit bonus challenge and won prizes including a signed copy of keynote speaker Warren Berger’s book, A Beautiful Question.

Related Articles

A Take Away from the Inaugural Pioneer Summit

A Take Away from the Inaugural Pioneer Summit: Questions Transform Learning

The First Annual Pioneer Academics Co-Curricular Summit was held on September 30 and October 1, 2022, in celebration of Pioneer’s 10th anniversary as a provider of rigorous online research experiences for high school students from around the world. Currently there is no other forum for educators, parents, and students to engage with distinguished academic programs....
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Keynote speech Developing Great Questioners

Developing Great Questioners: A New Dimension for Teaching & Parenting

What is your “beautiful question”? What is a “beautiful” question? These questions are the conclusion, and the point, of this discussion of the importance of questions by Warren Berger, who coined the term “questionologist” to describe his unique work. “The world has some pretty significant challenges ahead of us,” he began. “We’re going to need...
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Mission Accomplished!

The 1st Annual Co-Curricular Summit facilitated the exchange of cutting-edge developments in co-curricular programming—from the most accomplished, highly respected leaders/organizations in this niche directly to educators and students.

On our 10th anniversary, we are proud that Pioneer Academic’s reputation made it possible for us to be the catalyst for this dynamic event. More to come in 2023!

Mission accomplished section

Session

  • Sept 30 (Friday)
  • Oct 1 (Saturday)

The Purpose of the Co-curricular Summit & Studies on Young ResearchersSpeakers: Matthew Jaskol, Matt Makel

Speakers

Matthew Jaskol

Matthew Jaskol

Founder & Director, Pioneer Academics, PBC

Matt Makel

Matt Makel

Johns Hopkins University School of Education

Session Summary

The unique Co-Curricular Summit, made possible by Pioneer Academics’ reputation for academic integrity and leadership in online education, brings together prestigious academic programs for high school students. This session highlights preliminary results of a study of Pioneer scholars’ college experience, conducted and presented by Johns Hopkins University’s Professor Matt Makel.

Key Takeaway
  • The Purpose of the Co curricular Summit Studies on Young Researchers 1
  • The Purpose of the Co curricular Summit Studies on Young Researchers

Research with High School Students: Multidisciplinary Professor PanelSpeakers: Rit Fuller, Tim Elgren

Speakers

Rit Fuller

Rit Fuller

Founding Advisor of Pioneer Academics, PBC

Tim Elgren

Tim Elgren

Founding Advisor of Pioneer Academics, PBC

Session Summary

What makes conducting truly rigorous research so transformative for high school students? Distinguished Pioneer founding advisors and longtime faculty members share their thoughts on this question as well as on mentorship, a teaching method with lasting impact.

Key Takeaway
  • Research with High School Students
  • Research with High School Students Multidisciplinary Professor Panel

Access to Extracurricular ActivitiesSpeakers: Francisco Tezén, Leslie Sullivan, Gregory Manne

Speakers

Francisco Tezen

Francisco Tezén

A Better Chance

Leslie Sullivan

Leslie Sullivan

QuestBridge

Gregory Manne

Gregory Manne

Rise

Session Summary

In a world with sharp inequalities across regions, income levels, and cultures, how do organizations operating in the education space provide access to co-curricular activities? This panel discussion explores the importance of breaking down the barriers to co-curricular participation and questions concerning what access means, how it works, and the results for students.

Key Takeaway
  • Access to Extracurricular Activities
  • Access to Extracurricular Activities (1)

Transformative educationSpeaker: Michael Parkin

Speaker

Michael Parkin (1)

Michael Parkin

Oberlin College & Conservatory

Session Summary

Why is conducting the type of rigorous research Pioneer demands so valuable for high school students? Michael Parkin of Oberlin College & Conservatory continues the conversation on transformational education drawing on his various perspectives as a faculty member, college administrator, and Pioneer mentor.

Key Takeaway
  • Transformative Education
    The photo of Professor Parkin speaking at the 1st Pioneer Co-curricular
  • Transformative education
    The recording of Professor Parkin’s full presentation
  • Oberlin review and cutting edge 1 (1)
    1 minute highlight—what does it mean to study with a professor?
  • Oberlin review and cutting edge 1 (1)
    1 minute highlight—Evaluator’s reaction on the class topics

The Art of a Research QuestionSpeaker: Thomas Mullaney

Speaker

Thomas Mullaney

Thomas Mullaney

Stanford University

Session Summary

What do you do as a researcher before you know what you’re doing? Thomas Mulaney, professor of history and East Asian languages and cultures at Stanford University, discusses the importance of teaching students how to navigate uncertainty on research as the highest form of education and true mentorship as the highest form of teaching.

Key Takeaway
  • The art of a research question
  • The Art of a Research Question

Developing Great Questioners: A New Dimension for Teaching & ParentingSpeaker: Warren Berger

Speaker

Warren Berger

Warren Berger

Innovation Expert & Bestselling Author of “A More Beautiful Question”

Session Summary

“Beautiful questions,” and other kinds, are the focus of the Summit’s keynote speech by “questionologist” Warren Berger, whose work is foundational to Pioneer’s approach to research. Why are questions essential to innovation? How do questions change the world? Who is the world’s “champion questioner”? These questions and others are discussed.

Key Takeaway
  • Keynote speech 440270
  • Developing Great Questioners A New Dimension for Teaching Parenting
  • Keynote the ultimate questioner
  • Keynote ownership

The Essence of Research RigorSpeakers: Brian Cooper, Elias Hanno

Speakers

Brian Cooper

Brian Cooper

Pioneer Academics, PBC

Elias Hanno

Elias Hanno

Rise

Session Summary

Is “rigor” a good word or a bad word? Some definitions that may sound negative in other contexts become not only positive but essential when applied to academic research. Practicing academic rigor also benefits the researcher, providing skills for living and the kind of creativity that can change the world.

Key Takeaway
  • Essence of Research Rigor 1
  • The Essence of Research Rigor

The Role of Online Education for Advanced Young Learners Following the Initial COVID-inspired InnovationsSpeakers: Rob Arena, Samuel Robfogel

Speakers

Rob Arena

Rob Arena

Johns Hopkins University, Center for Talented Youth (CTY)

Samuel Robfogel

Samuel Robfogel

Johns Hopkins University, Center for Talented Youth (CTY)

Session Summary

The difference between online education and remote learning became particularly clear during the COVID years, which also made surprising contributions to the quality of online education. The advantages of online education experiences for advanced young learners include participation in a community of peers where it’s OK to be a “nerd.”

Key Takeaway
  • The Role of Online Education for Advanced Young Learners 1
  • The Role of Online Education for Advanced Young Learners Following the Initial COVID inspired Innovations

How an Emphasis on Excellence Has a Transformative Impact on Students and SocietySpeakers: Mark Kantrowitz, Maite Ballestero

Speakers

Mark Kantrowitz

Mark Kantrowitz

Research Science Institute (RSI)

Maite Ballestero

Maite Ballestero

CEE

Session Summary

What happens when a hundred or so brilliant science students from the top 1% in the world spend six weeks together on the MIT campus as participants in the Research Science Institute? Innovative projects, the beginning of lifelong friendships, lots of networking, math jokes—and not much sleep.

Key Takeaway
  • How an Emphasis on Excellence Has a Transformative Impact on Students and Society 1
  • How an Emphasis on Excellence Has a Transformative Impact on Students and Society