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The Philosophy in the Schools
Project is a cooperative effort between the Philosophy Department and
select public schools. Project Director since its
inception in 1984 is Dr. Thomas E. Jackson. The Project's primary
objective is to develop the ability of elementary through high school
students to think for
themselves in a responsible way. This is achieved through transforming
traditional classrooms into communities of inquiry that are
intellectually stimulating places. In such classrooms, teachers and
their students pursue philosophical inquiries that
arise out of the interests of the children. Since 1984,
hundreds of teachers have participated in workshops aimed at learning
the craft of facilitating philosophical dialogues with their students. In 1995, an important partnership was established with the Soong Ching Ling Foundation in Beijing to work with schools in China. In 1995, 1997, and 2001, Dr. Jackson, assisted by several Department graduate students and public school teachers, conducted workshops in Beijing, Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Jiaozuo, where teachers are now doing philosophy with their students. In 1996 and 1998, two delegations of teachers from China each spent two weeks in Hawaii working and observing in public schools, learning more about how philosophy is done with students in Hawaii. |
