KQED News Mind/Shift – Katrina Schwartz
“When a huge flood devastated Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2008 the community was faced with a host of problems more commonly seen in big cities, like homelessness. But in the midst of this tragedy the residents began to see an opportunity to rethink how they would rebuild the core institutions of the town. “We’re in Iowa, these are not things you deal with,” said Shawn Cornally, co-founder of Iowa BIG, a project-based school that came into being after the flood. “So the entire city was grappling with these giant questions together.” The local newspaper, owned by the Gazette Co., wanted to be part of rebuilding the community. As part of a series on reimagining Cedar Rapids, the company tapped Cornally — a high school STEM teacher whose subjects have included calculus, physics and computer science — to spearhead an effort called “The Return to School Project.” Over 100 adults strapped on backpacks and went back to school — walking in the shoes of students. They were asked to report back on what they noticed about the experience.” (more)