Schools

Schools Receive Visits Regarding Bill Gates' Project

Editor's Note: This article was written and submitted by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District was chosen to participate in a pilot program that offers a unique and all-encompassing approach to science and history by combining the two subjects to form a single, coherent narrative of the universe.

The Big History Project looks at the past on all time scales spanning 13.7 billion years, from the Big Bang to modernity, seeking out common themes and patterns. It uses a multi-disciplinary approach combining the disciplines of biology, astronomy, geology, climatology, prehistory, archeology, anthropology, cosmology, natural history, and population and environmental studies.

“I am extremely proud of the students, teachers and department chairs who have allowed this innovative program to get off to such a great start,” said Superintendent Dr. Henry Kiernan. “The Big History Project aligns closely with our district’s commitment to providing the highest quality education to our students through diverse course material and new approaches to learning.”

Three Bellmore-Merrick high schools were selected among only 47 schools in the United States to participate in the program because of the forward-thinking educators within the district and its unique approach of using multiple departments and combining two curriculums (earth science and social studies) to teach the class, all without sacrificing any of the usual course material or district funds.

The initiative receives direct support from the Big History Project to ensure teachers and schools have the resources they need to maintain the new course material and provide ongoing feedback to improve the program.

The initiative was co-founded by David Christian, Professor of History at Macquarie University in Sydney, and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, who also provides funding for the program.

Mr. Andy Cook, the Senior Director of the Big History Project, recently met with faculty at John F. Kennedy High School and attended Big History classes at Sanford H. Calhoun High School and Wellington C. Mepham High School, where he spoke briefly about the educational goals of the program and received student feedback about their experiences and impressions of the course thus far.

What do you think of the district's involvement in this project? Tell us in the comments below.

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