In School Programs
The mission of The Big Brain Club is simple: Smart is Cool.
In order to bring that reality directly to middle school students, we have moved beyond our robust online community and incorporated a new model of in-school programs that works with schools and students in a hands-on way. The elements of these programs include:
The donation of needed equipment (and training) to qualifying schools. Beyond just supplying a school with new gym lockers or playground equipment, we focus on identifying specific technologies that will enhance the learning experience and empower the students. Each school is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we work with the schools to determine which equipment will make the greatest impact.
The professional publication of students' creative writing. Forget spiral-bound books mass-produced at Kinko's. We take a select number of creative writing projects by middle school students and produce a professionally designed, professionally published book that represents each individual school. The books are copyrighted and registered with the Library of Congress, then donated back to the schools to distribute amongst their students and parents, or to use for their own school fundraiser. So far in 2011, we have published 88 first-time authors, none older than 14.
A Smart is Cool Big Brain Club celebration party. We bring the message, along with any donated equipment, newly-published books of students' writing, and special celebrity guests directly to the school to celebrate a victory in the fight against intellectual peer pressure. Each school is different, and so each party is different. But the common denominators are: fun, impactful, and long-lasting.
Check back soon for more information on our In School Programs, including photo and videos from participating schools.
2011 Pilot Program - Preston Middle School
This year, we developed a brand new program that required an exceptional partner for perfect execution. We found that partner in Preston Middle School. We'll have video from that spectacular event coming soon, but in the meantime, here's the official press release with all the details.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Colorado Middle School Students Become Published Authors through Big Brain Club Pilot Program
Founder & Broadcaster Dom Testa Initiates Donations of Equipment and Books
DENVER, Colo. - Denver-based national education foundation The Big Brain Club today announced a pilot program at Preston Middle School that will result in 88 teenage students becoming first-time published authors. The program provides complimentary copies of the professionally published book featuring the students' original writings, as well as the donation of new high-tech equipment to be used in the media center of this Fort Collins area middle school.
"The Big Brain Club exists to help kids overcome the intellectual peer pressure to 'dumb down,' and to embrace the notion that being smart is cool," said founder Dom Testa. "In Preston Middle School, we found a perfect partner for this pilot program. The students, faculty and parents really embody this concept in a powerful way."
More than 120 Preston students submitted original works of creative writing for publication in the book. The Big Brain Club staff worked with school faculty to select the best, most representative work for inclusion. A professional designer created the cover and interior layout; the book was copyrighted and registered with the Library of Congress; and several hundred copies were printed in its first run. The Student-Authors program is a partnership with the participating school and is slated for expansion to other Colorado middle schools in 2011 and beyond.
The finished product will be unveiled at a special assembly at Preston Middle School on Thursday, February 17, at 1:30 p.m. The assembly will highlight several student authors, and will feature a special delivery of multimedia equipment also donated by The Big Brain Club. Parents and media are invited to attend.
"Our partnership with The Big Brain Club has allowed the students of Preston to develop and share their incredible creative abilities," said principal Scott Nielsen. "Our expectations were high, but the quality of work that shows up in their writing has been nothing short of astounding." Nielsen added, "Our involvement with The Big Brain Club has had a definite impact on our students. We are proud to be recognized as a school that exemplifies the notion that 'smart is cool.'"
Testa, an award-winning author of young adult books and co-host of Denver's top-rated morning radio show on Mix 100, created The Big Brain Club in response to a silent epidemic he noticed while working with schools over the past 20 years: intellectual peer pressure. He saw that many capable students actively 'dumb down' their abilities in an effort to be considered popular. He created the foundation in 2003, first as an online community for students, teachers and parents, and in 2010 began developing this in-school complement to the website.
"We have tapped into a major issue in education that is not getting the attention it deserves," Testa said. "No amount of book drives can help a student who thinks it's uncool to get good grades. The time has come to address this issue in a direct, hands-on way, and that’s just what we’re doing."
The Big Brain Club expects to partner with at least three more Colorado schools in 2011, with an eye toward national expansion the following year. In the meantime, the organization's online community continues to flourish. A brand-new design will be unveiled at the Preston assembly on February 17.
About Preston Middle School
Preston Middle School is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) school that is part of the Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colorado. Preston is dedicated to encouraging middle level students to explore science, technology, engineering and math through the creation of engaging learning experiences in classes, extra-curricular activities, projects and the Summer Institute.
Dom's Other School Visits
In addition to the assemblies that make up part of the Big Brain Club In-School Programs, Dom also makes several dozen in-person school visits each year. He also speaks with schools and libraries via live videoconference. You can see video of one such visit right here, and there are several other examples at our YouTube channel.
For more information or to book a school visit, contact us here.
Bring The Big Brain Club to Your School
We love partnering with creative, energetic schools to bring the Big Brain Club to as many students as possible. As you can imagine, we get more requests than we can accommodate, but if you think your school would be a good fit for The Big Brain Club, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with us here and let us know a little about yourself and your school. We'll be glad to consider every request on its merits.
