The 5 “Kevlar Threads” That Make Learning Stick — Dr. Annalies Corbin (PAST Foundation)
Dr. Annalies Corbin is the Founder and CEO of the PAST Foundation, an organization dedicated to connecting scientific research with education. Over the past 25 years, she has grown PAST into a nationally recognized leader in transforming teaching and learning, impacting millions of students and thousands of educators across the U.S. She also launched the Learning Unboxed podcast to explore innovative approaches to education and the future of workforce development.
Key Takeaways
- The 5 Kevlar Threads: student agency, cultural relevancy, mastery, transdisciplinary learning, and problem-based learning
- STEM “affinity” research: kids light up around math and science when learning feels tangible — mastery-based learning, real problem-solving, and social-emotional connection are the three levers that spark that engagement.
- Silos have their place — a focused mini-lesson works beautifully when it’s triggered by an immediate, meaningful need within a bigger project, giving students exactly what they need, right when they need it.
- Graduation is just the beginning — the real opportunity is helping students discover who they’re becoming, not just getting them across the finish line.
- Relationships are what last — ask any adult about a profound learning moment and they’ll light up describing a person who believed in them, not a lesson plan. That’s the impact educators get to have every day.
- “It takes a village” is coming back into focus — as more people recognize how much parents, grandparents, mentors and coaches contribute to a child’s growth, there’s real momentum to give that learning the credit it deserves.
Chapters:
- 00:02 – Introducing Dr. Annalies Corbin — Founder & CEO of the PAST Foundation
- 01:53 – About the Foundation: Origins & Mission
- 19:13 – Translating Research into Support: In‑Person, Online and Mobile Lab Services
- 27:04 – Rethinking Schooling: From Buildings to Community Learning
- 36:30 – Memorable Learning: People and Experiences Over Curriculum
https://www.pastfoundation.org
https://www.facebook.com/annalies.corbin/
https://www.instagram.com/annaliescorbin/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalies-corbin-4016121
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