The ‘Big History Project’ unfolds at NDHS

Notre Dame High School (NDHS) in St. Louis is the only all-girls high school to participate in the Big History Pilot Project with 50 schools, located in 14 U.S. states and five other countries (Canada, China, Korea, the Netherlands and Scotland).

Started by Bill Gates and Australian professor David Christian in 2011, the Big History Project is a web-based course that covers history from the big bang to present time by using eight major themes/thresholds of time. It is based on the premise that at certain moments in history, the universe became radically different and more complex.

“It is a unique look at history focused on main events that have shaped human history as seen through astronomy, anthropology, theology, chemistry, biology and history,” explains Dr. Jeff Belcher, NDHS science teacher.

Students are now engaged with 21st century educational methods as they view video clips with instruction from university professors and other research science and history experts on interactive white boards. They also examine selections of church documents, which demonstrate the integration of faith, science and history as they study the thresholds of time. In each class, students engage in cooperative and project based learning.

By joining this network of pilot project schools, “Notre Dame has made a multi-year commitment to offer students a more rigorous understanding of the universe, human history, the integral role of faith and their role in shaping the future,” explains principal Sister Michelle Emmerich, SSND.

For more information, go to www.bighistoryproject.com.

As a new school year begins, how do you help students learn and grow?

Adapted from an article by Sister Michelle Emmerich, Principal, Notre Dame High School

Top and bottom photos: Freshmen from Notre Dame High School in the Big History Project class
Center photo: Notre Dame High School teacher Chris Livingston using the interactive white board
Photos by Linda Behrens