Paul Collins, founder of Jordan-Webb, has gained insight and experience while consulting with organizations in the private, public and non-profit sectors, and in facilitating work groups in a richly diverse set of programs and projects.  That experience has included the use of  group support technology (also known as electronic meeting systems EMS) to assist with the facilitation process.

Paul has leveraged this experience in business to develop the concept of a STUDENT INCUBATOR.  The idea behind the incubator is to help the kids learn about and do planning, facilitating and collaborating with each other, while executing projects based around their own needs, desires and concerns.  The project has also introduced kids to the concept of computer-supported collaboration.  Computer support comes in the form of local area network and internet-based technology designed to support work teams (group support technology).   The use of the technology is not only fun and educational, but it will also help the kinds learn how to identify, analyze, evaluate and solve problems and to develop strategies for their own success in these areas.  Since the spring of 1998, participants have documented their opinions, feelings and concerns about about subjects that include (but are not limited to):

• taking advantage of educational opportunities
• planning career paths
• identifying and solving health, family and neighborhood issues
• resolving conflict using non-violent methods
• dealing with violence in the schools
• traveling away from home
• designing incentives for student participation

THE CABRINI CONNECTION
The initial sessions began with weekly workshops at the Cabrini Connections Tutor/Mentor Program in the Summer of 1998.  The focus, at that time, was to find out what kids had to say about violence in the schools in light of the number of tragic events in schools that seemed to sweep across the nation.  After several sessions it became obvious that the kids wanted to talk about other things that were on their minds.  It turned out that the kids had a lot of meaningful things to day about their lives, their education, their families, etc. (see above).  The data collected in this initial pilot study will be displayed on this site in the future and an on-going focus group questionnaire will be setup to collect the input of  kids everywhere.
 

THE NASA CONNECTION
One of JordanWebb major clients is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).   Jordan-Webb was able to  work in conjunction with NASA's community and educational outreach programs.  The objective was to invite guests from NASA to speak to the kids in the inner-city schools and other programs such as Cabrini Connections.  Such presentations could help stimulate the kids interest in science, research and technology at a very early age.  Reaching kids at an early age would be critical.  The more time that kids could spend doing "interesting" things and learning how to work collaboratively, the less time they would probably spend in gangs and other violent activities.

The initial NASA guest speaker pilot project was planned in the fall of 1998.  In December 1998, Jordan-Webb was pleased to invite Mr. Jim Simec from NASA's Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio to present.  Jim gave a powerful presentation on what it was like to live and work in outer space - in a zero gravity environment.  This pilot project was implemented in four venues in inner-city Chicago:

• Cabrini Connections Tutor/Mentor Program
• Burke Elementary School
• Skinner Upper Grade Center
• Nobel West Elementary School

Benefits to NASA (consistent with NASA's Strategic Plan and Mission)

• Demonstrates NASA's respect and support for education and learning
• Demonstrates NASA's outreach to the public.
• Helps NASA implement goals, objectives and activities under the 4th Crosscutting Process (Communicate Knowledge):
• Identify new opportunities for students to directly participate  in the space research and discovery experience
• Improve communities' knowledge, understanding and use of the results and opportunities associated with NASA's programs
• Foster partnerships with teachers and students
• Make education and enhanced understanding of science an integral part of NASA's missions and research
• Design formal and informal Earth science education tools
• Involve citizens in the adventure of exploring space, engage educators and students to promote educational excellence...
• Transfer knowledge and technologies and promote partnerships to improve health and enhance the quality of life

LONG-TERM GOALS OF THE STUDENT INCUBATOR PROJECT
Establish a partnership between NASA (and other organizations in the future), Jordan-Webb and selected inner-city public schools and Tutor/Mentor Programs in Chicago for the purposes of inspiring and motivating inner-city children to:

• stimulate and fulfill their quest for knowledge
• understand and appreciate the value of education
• develop higher levels of self-esteem
• enhance the appreciation for human life and for the quality of  life
• increase the potential to contribute to science and research
• find and adopt non-violent ways of resolving disputes and differences

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THE STUDENT INCUBATOR PROJECT
Several learning objectives for the students surfaced while negotiating and planning with elementary school teachers and principals.  In most schools, the students were in the 6th through 8th grades.  In one school there were some 4th and 5th graders involved.  Teachers and principals did not feel that these objectives were too ambitious for the elementary grades:

• Learning about NASA and the space program.
• Learning about space industry, related fields and their relationship to NASA.
• Learning about things that we use everyday (and take for granted) that have been developed as a result of space program research -  technology transfer.
• Learning about space camp - what it is and how can you go there.
• Learning about career paths into the space industry.  In what subject areas should students plan to study excel today, in order to be ready to work in the space industry and related fields tomorrow?
• Learning about Internet sites for students & teachers - what resources exist and how to use them.
• Inspiration to share and adopt at an early age the NASA core values of people, excellence and integrity

FOR INFORMATION or TO GET ON THE MAILING LIST
Contact:  pcollins@jordan-webb.net or telephone: (773) 463-2288 or fax: (773) 436-1830 or write: Student Incubator Project c/o Jordan-Webb, 2656 West Montrose Ave-Suite 110, Chicago, IL 60618.