Robotics and STEM Questions for School Leader

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Morgan Garbett

Hi everyone!

So in a few days I'll be able to talk to the finalists for my school's new headmaster, and ask them a few questions. Afterwards a group of students and I will fill out forms indicating which one we would prefer as our new headmaster. I'd like to ask some good robotics and STEM related questions, in order to find out which one is going to support the robotics program more. Any suggestions?

Thanks
- Morgan

Ask questions that indirectly determine whether the candidates would be more focused on having a "winning" team or on having a large effect on many students.

In the sense that tails should not be allowed to wag dogs, I believe one of these is the tail, and the other is the dog.

Find out whether each candidate's "trophies" are in a display case, or are out in the world making a difference by spreading what they learned from the candidate.

Find out if they are more proud of awards, or of what the people who earned the awards did in the years after receiving the award.

I assume that asking these types of questions bluntly will get you the answers any educator is supposed to give. So, instead I recommed asking somewhat indirect questions that open the door to stories that will expose the information you want to learn. Past actions will speak louder than current words.

A good school leader will support education; and will use STEM robotics programs to accomplish that. There is a subtle, but important difference between doing that and simply supporting a robotics program. Look for that difference.

Blake