Wondering if your students will succeed in projects when you stop leading every step? Or worried that giving them more independence will lead to less learning?
In this episode, I reconnect with Nikola, a former student from High Tech High who is now a mechanical engineer, to reflect on the student-centered experiences that continue to shape his work nearly two decades later.
From designing an interactive science exhibit for a local museum to leading engineering projects today, Nikola shares why authentic projects, student choice, and real-world audiences taught him far more than content alone.
You'll learn:
How stepping back helps students step up
How authentic projects build lasting problem-solving and collaboration skills
Why student choice creates deeper engagement and ownership
How failure and iteration prepare students for life beyond school
How to use AI as a thinking partner—not a replacement for thinking
If you are an international educator and have ever wondered whether student-centered learning is worth the time and trust it requires, this conversation offers a powerful reminder: students often grow the most when we create the conditions for them to lead.
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