TANG INSTITUTE AT ANDOVER | May 2020

Dear Friends of the Tang Institute,

I hope this note finds you in good health and good spirits. Amidst the challenges of remote learning, I’m struck by just how resilient our community of teaching and learning continues to be. It’s especially meaningful because much of this important work has been incubated at the Tang Institute. Thank you for your engagement with and generous support of us and our mission.

We have a rich newsletter this month. I’m proud to share highlights from our work that inspire thoughtful engagement and learning.

Warmly,

Andy Housiaux
Currie Family Director, Tang Institute

THE WORKSHOP AT ANDOVER

The Workshop is Andover's interdisciplinary learning experience designed to reimagine the fundamental structures of school and learning (time, space, grades, assessment, student agency). During this term, 17 seniors and 8 instructors are exploring a singular thematic focus: Community, Class, and Carbon.

The Workshop is the students’ only academic commitment, and they are looking at this topic from a range of linked perspectives. In addition to their curricular work, students are forging deeper connections with community partners around the world.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

Four Workshop students write about how they are learning remotely and connecting with their local communities.

WORKSHOP UPDATE: TWO WEEKS IN

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Tang Institute Director Andy Housiaux reflects on how we’re creating an inclusive and reflective learning community…remotely.

HELPING FAMILIES MANAGE

REMOTE LEARNING

In an 8-part series, biology instructor and former Tang fellow Christine Marshall presents SYNAPSE, a toolkit to help students work smarter, not harder, through new challenges.

PARTNERSHIP WITH HARVARD'S OPPORTUNITY INSIGHTS

An Education Week article that asks “Is It Time to Overhaul the ‘Classic’ Economics Course?” highlights the Tang Institute's innovative approach to teaching high school economics by piloting modules from Harvard Professor Raj Chetty's renowned “Using Big Data to Solve Economic and Social Problems”—the first such undertaking by a high school in the country.

A paper we co-authored with Opportunity Insights for the Journal of Economic Education analyzes the pedagogy of Chetty's Harvard course to explore ways to create more diverse and engaging classrooms, in economics and across the curriculum.

FROM THE CUBBY

Tang Institute Director Andy Housiaux joins Interim Head of School Jim Ventre ’79 in the inaugural episode of From The Cubby.

WATCH

WHAT WE'RE READING

"Chemistry educators try ‘ungrading’ techniques to help students learn," Chemical & Engineering News, Claire L. Jarvis, April 26, 2020

"What Do Final Exams Mean During a Pandemic?" The Chronicle of Higher Education, Becky Supiano, April 27, 2020

The Tang Institute is a center for the advancement of teaching, learning, and partnership.

We inspire teachers.

We inspire learning.

VISIT US

Phillips Academy
180 Main St
Andover, MA 01810