Merry Christmastr

Wish I could be in Austin for this: https://antonesnightclub.com/tm-event/adam-currys-boostagram-ball-live/ #tunestr #boostagramball

GN

GM

Published my latest newsletter: Leading Multi-generational Teams #leadership #genx #genz #babyboomers #millennials https://highlighter.com/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzqt692zc2smt6lwx7tmvqwat78y68qekc8zw62xaenq8ysz2lyqykqy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq3wamnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwwpexjmtpdshxuet59uq32amnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwv3sk6atn9e5k7tcppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qythwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnswf5k6ctv9ehx2ap0qqnycetpv35kueedf46kcarfvajkuetjv96xjmmwv9kz64r9v9khxttgwe5kymtyjjf3ag

GM nostr! Spending the day packing for an upcoming move to Austin. Hope your day is great!

GM and Happy Thanksgiving, frens!

GN and Happy Thanksgiving to US-based nostriches

GM

GM nostr! It tried out publishing on Highlighter today, as a means of v4v publishing (vs articles on X or LinkedIn). Interested in what you think? https://highlighter.com/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzqt692zc2smt6lwx7tmvqwat78y68qekc8zw62xaenq8ysz2lyqykqqs9qun9wpshy6twvuk4qet0wpkx2ttxdaez6ntpwfej6afkv4cx5ds7jfvu3

Breaking down barriers to more people/normies getting into B

Had a good day! Got my first zap, did a 30 min bike ride, and hit all my objectives. GN nostr

Preparing People for Mars: The Case for Interdisciplinary Training

As educators, we’re often tasked with preparing learners for their next step, whether it’s the workforce, higher education, or personal growth. But what happens when the “next step” is a journey to Mars? The training required to prepare people for such a monumental mission is as exciting as it is complex. It’s also a perfect example of the power of interdisciplinary education.

Sending humans to Mars means training them to thrive in an isolated, resource-limited, and unforgiving environment. Crew members will need to wear many hats, stepping seamlessly between roles as scientists, engineers, medics, and farmers. Generally speaking, they must be problem-solvers. Let’s consider how an interdisciplinary approach can prepare individuals for this journey and how it might inspire new ideas for our teaching practices here on Earth.

Bridging Technical and Practical Skills

A Martian mission demands technical expertise across fields, but it also requires the ability to apply that knowledge practically in unpredictable situations. Imagine teaching someone how to extract oxygen from Martian soil (a process called in-situ resource utilization) while ensuring they can also maintain the equipment that performs the extraction.

It’s not just about knowing “what” to do but also “how” and “why.” Future Mars residents will need to see the connections between disciplines, such as how chemistry supports engineering or how geology informs survival strategies.

Preparing for Emergencies

On Mars, there’s no dialing 911. Rather, each resident is part of the “911 response team” in the case of an emergency. If the habitat's power system fails, a team member gets injured, or a dust storm threatens solar panels, the crew must handle it. That means everyone needs baseline knowledge in medical care, electrical systems, and environmental safety.

What can we learn from this? Cross-training is vital. In our teaching environments, how can we provide students with overlapping skills that make them adaptable in crises, whether they’re on Mars or managing a team back home?

Collaborating Across Fields

The isolated environment of a Martian mission will push teamwork to its limits. Each crew member will bring unique expertise, but their success will hinge on how well they collaborate. A biologist studying Martian soil must work with an engineer maintaining the research lab and a logistician planning the mission timeline.

In our classrooms, fostering this kind of interdisciplinary teamwork means creating opportunities for students to collaborate across subjects. Could your STEM students work with communications majors on a project? Could you involve art students in designing user-friendly interfaces for technical tools?

Building an Adaptive Mindset

Mars explorers must be lifelong learners and will have to continue their education throughout their journey to Mars and while they are Mars residents (see my previous edition). The challenges they’ll face won’t all be predictable, so their training must prioritize skills in flexibility and adaptability. With access to onboard resources like virtual lessons and problem-solving simulations, they’ll continuously upskill throughout their mission.

For adult educators and trainers, this reinforces the value of teaching metacognition—helping students learn how to learn. When we equip learners with strategies to acquire new knowledge independently, we set them up for success no matter where they go.

Using Simulations and Realistic Scenarios

Martian training will have to involve simulated habitats and scenarios that replicate real conditions. From mock spacewalks in full gear to solving equipment malfunctions under time pressure, simulations and virtual reality training can provide invaluable hands-on experience.

This can inspire us to incorporate more experiential learning into our teaching. Whether through role-play, problem-based learning, or case studies, we can immerse students in practical scenarios that mirror real-world challenges.

Final Thoughts

Preparing people for Mars is an interdisciplinary educator’s dream. It’s about weaving together diverse fields of knowledge, cultivating flexibility, and fostering collaboration. While most of us won’t teach future Martian settlers, the principles of their training can inspire how we equip our learners for the challenges they’ll face in an ever-changing world.

Whether your students are solving problems in a classroom, a boardroom, or—someday—a Martian habitat, the value of an interdisciplinary education remains clear: when we cross-train minds, we prepare them to conquer the unknown.

Would you integrate any of these ideas into your teaching? Share your thoughts—I’d love to hear them!

GM nostr. Make today great!!

GM all! Hope your day is amazing!

GN nostr Sleep well!

Took my nostr/primal/bitcoin learning to a new level today thanks to a cold storage wallet from my hubby and a helpful video fromnostr:npub1rxysxnjkhrmqd3ey73dp9n5y5yvyzcs64acc9g0k2epcpwwyya4spvhnp8 I can send and receive zaps now (finally). Learning curve fun on a Saturday

GM everyone! Sharing my latest newsletter, regarding education for inhabitants on Mars https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/adapting-naval-distance-education-models-our-future-mars-jennings-w17ec/?trackingId=FVL%2FoZAFSb8kMiPwVVmnww%3D%3D

Reevaluating Education Control: The Case for Dissolving the U.S. Federal Department of Education

The U.S. educational system, once the cornerstone of global innovation and progress, has in recent decades struggled to keep pace with international standards and the diverse needs of its students. One proposed solution is dissolving the U.S. Federal Department of Education, returning authority to states and local communities. While this idea is controversial, the potential benefits to student outcomes, community engagement, and educational flexibility are significant.

1. A Closer Connection to Local Needs

Federal oversight creates a one-size-fits-all approach, often disconnected from the unique circumstances of individual communities. School districts vary widely in terms of resources, population demographics, cultural values, and economic conditions. Local control allows states and municipalities to tailor education programs to better align with their specific needs. For example, a rural district might prioritize agricultural science and environmental stewardship, while an urban district could focus on technology and civic engagement. By dissolving the Department of Education and empowering local districts, education could become more relevant and responsive, creating curricula that resonate with students’ daily lives and future goals.

2. Encouraging Innovation Through Autonomy

When education decisions are made at the federal level, innovation is often stymied by bureaucracy, rigid regulations, and political gridlock. Local control, however, could give school districts the flexibility to pilot creative solutions and respond quickly to emerging educational challenges. Decentralized control could lead to diverse, innovative approaches that address specific needs more directly. For instance, California's focus on bilingual education or Massachusetts' focus on STEM could serve as localized models. If successful, these models could be adapted by other states based on their own needs, fostering a diverse educational landscape where districts learn from one another without being constrained by a single federal mandate.

3. Increased Community Engagement and Accountability

When parents and community members have a more active role in shaping local education policies, accountability increases. Local school boards and state education agencies are more accessible to parents, teachers, and students than a distant federal entity. Community members can engage with their school boards, advocate for resources, and participate in shaping priorities. This closer proximity could lead to a higher level of accountability, as local boards respond more directly to the needs and feedback of their communities. Furthermore, with local control, parents and stakeholders may feel more invested in their schools, fostering a collaborative environment for continuous improvement.

4. Reduced Bureaucratic Spending

The federal government spends billions annually on education administration, much of which could be redirected into classrooms. Critics argue that the Department of Education often absorbs funds that could otherwise be used to improve student-to-teacher ratios, update technology, and modernize facilities. Dissolving the federal department could help minimize bureaucratic expenses and allow states to allocate more resources directly to student learning.

5. Restoring Educational Freedom

Education is deeply connected to values and culture. With local control, states and districts would have the freedom to reflect their communities' educational priorities without federal intervention. For instance, districts might design curricula that emphasize community-specific history or language programs that reflect local demographics. This ability to foster cultural relevance within education is crucial for building students’ sense of identity and belonging.

Conclusion

Dissolving the Federal Department of Education is not without its challenges. Critics point to potential disparities between states and concerns about educational equity. Yet, with careful planning and cooperative frameworks, local control could foster an educational system that is flexible, relevant, and responsive to the needs of its students. As the conversation around educational reform grows, returning control to states and communities may provide a promising path to revitalizing American education, creating a system that is both accountable and attuned to the unique needs of each community it serves.