36 teachers, parents, students, community leaders and administrators came together in a forum to discuss the “vision” of Hanover High School, under the direction of Dr. Frank Locker. Dr. Locker, Vice President of Dejong Inc., leads visioning, educational specifications, master planning, and school restructuring projects. An architect, former educator, and trained facilitator, he has more than thirty years of education and school facilities planning experience. He was hired by the town of Hanover to oversee the planning of the new Hanover High School. Also present at this meeting were the Architects of HMFH George Metzger and Lori Cowles.

The goal of the Futures Team was to discuss the current school building and curriculum to help define how we could create a building that would be relevant in 30 years. We were split into varied groups and were asked: What makes a successful student? What will education look like in the year 2030? What would you like to see in the new high school? Each group had a chance to talk and most agreed that the way we learned back in the day was not the way to teach in the future. The common theme was: A successful high school must be a “Community Based School”- A successful student must be a global thinker. How does that convert into a new high school? A space where walls could be broken down, area’s without desks and a place for students to feel safe.

The teams were also presented with a learning pyramid which is outlined below. This states that 90% of students learn by doing “project based learning”. We were asked how are we to teach our children? There was consensus that the future vision of learning in Hanover would be a dynamic, interactive, community based center where all ages could learn from one another.

>>90% of what they learn when they teach someone else/use immediately.
>>75% of what they learn when they practice what they learned.
>>50% of what they learn when engaged in a group discussion.
>>30% of what they learn when they see a demonstration.
>>20% of what they learn from audio-visual.
>>10% of what they learn when they've learned from reading.
>>5% of what they learn when they've learned from lecture.

"NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, 300 N. Lee Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314. 1-800-777-5227."

The workshops were for five days and they were an eye opening experience. The future of the new Hanover High School is that it will be a well thought out, and phenomenal learning place. A place where students will continue to strive to learn and will want to come even after they graduate!

The School Building Committee would like to extend its gratitude to the workshop participants. All your time, focus and energy that was shared is a valuable and immeasurable contribution to our project. Thank you and please, stay involved!