The ThoughtStretchers Podcast 10 Months At Sea, A School For Global Leadership
Drew Perkins welcomes Emily Waugh and Gabriela Delgado de Fina, both Assistant Heads of School for the A+ World Academy. They discuss the academy's unique educational model: a 10-month voyage for 72 students aboard the Sorlandet, a fully rigged ship built in 1927. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of a "school at sea," where academics, communal living, and maritime training converge.
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Emily and Gabriela detail the academy's core philosophy and five goals for global leadership, which integrates academics with global studies, communal living, maritime training, and reflective learning. They share how students are required to participate in maritime watches, cleaning, and galley duties, fostering a deep sense of responsibility and grit. A mandatory course, "Self Systems and Society," serves as the anchor for these experiences, providing a space for students to reflect on conflict resolution and the unique challenges of sharing a living space with 72 peers.
The discussion dives into the academy's current transition toward a more Project-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum. Gabriela and Emily candidly discuss the hurdles of implementing inquiry-based research, such as "Port Quests," in an environment with limited internet and library resources. They highlight the ongoing internal debate about balancing traditional knowledge acquisition with progressive skill development, illustrating what Drew calls a "knowledge-rich inquiry" model.
Finally, they touch upon the essential nature of memorization in maritime life—where knowing the names and functions of hundreds of lines is a matter of safety—and the rigorous admissions process that seeks out curious students who are ready for the sacrifice and adventure of life at sea.
Timestamped Episode Timeline- [00:03:43] Introductions and Roles – Emily and Gabriela share their journeys from teaching on the ship to their current land-based leadership roles.
- [00:08:02] Diverse Educational Backgrounds – A look at the progressive and traditional schooling experiences that shaped the guests' pedagogical perspectives.
- [00:11:39] The "My Five" Philosophy – Breaking down the five pillars of global leadership at A+ World Academy.
- [00:13:56] Life on the Sorlandet – Logistics of the 10-month voyage, the "top of the eight" Atlantic loop, and the requirement for every student to help operate the ship.
- [00:18:32] Connectivity and Crew Rotations – Managing limited internet access and the recent shift to rotating academic teams for sustainability.
- [00:21:43] Shifting to Project-Based Learning – Why the academy is moving away from traditional AP structures toward more integrated port-based projects.
- [00:28:37] The Knowledge vs. Skills Debate – Navigating the balance between progressive education and the need for content mastery.
- [00:38:15] Measuring Success Beyond Academics – The difficulty of quantifying qualitative growth in areas like communal living and resilience.
- [00:48:15] The Power of Functional Memorization – Why students must memorize maritime terms and how the "need to know" creates deep learning.
- [00:54:30] Student Profile and Motivation – What the academy looks for in applicants and why students voluntarily give up their phones.