About
Global Minds Institute, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in New York State, specializing in travel-study academic courses, both international and domestic. The 1-2 week credit-bearing courses address real-world problems through collaborative design, active curriculum, and meaningful engagement with invested communities.
🌍 Students (7-college) may earn course credit.
🌎 Teachers (k-college) may earn professional development credit, including NY State CTLE and reciprocating states.
Mission Statement: Global Minds Institute strives to advance understandings over divergent perspectives and their range of competing narratives, and to develop the collaborative design skills necessary for success in academic and professional sectors. More broadly, Global Minds Institute endeavors to transform societal cultures of blame and vilification into ones of problem-solving mindsets.
GMI’s pedagogical approach is predicated on Project Based Learning (PBL), whereby each group collaboratively designs, tests and redesigns their work until their objective is realized. Success doesn’t necessarily mean that any longstanding issues are finally resolved – although it would be nice. Rather, success is measured by learning, and means that progress is made towards the goals noted above. Our multi-narrative approach insists that all participants attain nuanced, working understandings which are then applied collaboratively to innovate solutions.
In addition to advancing their own pedagogical practices, educators will learn how to create similar programs of their own from the ground up. GMI is interested in proliferating this unique model and will provide our colleagues with experiential guidance in the field.
GMI courses typically feature 1-2 hours of morning classroom time with the balance of the day engaged mostly in fieldwork. Free time and fun too!
Global Minds Institute is firmly unaffiliated with any political agendas or organizations.
“The Israel and Palestine expedition was a one of a kind trip. We learned as we met new people, saw new places, had conversations with communities and also had fun. The educational purpose was one of the main highlights of the trip. – that and the food.” ~ Alex, 2019
Beyond much fun and discovery which are part of a transformative travel experience, these expeditions are first and foremost Project Based Learning (PBL) academic courses that meet and align with IB, Common Core, and many independent school curricula and standards. Global Minds Institute directly awards NY State CTLE credits to successful course participants. Global Minds Institute does not directly award academic credits. We deliver rigorous academic courses featuring meticulously designed curricula with sound assessment schemes, diversified instruction, and a framework for third party institutions to award full credit. GMI works directly with academic institutions to customize expeditions. Students and families are encouraged to inquire with their schools regarding academic course credit. Likewise, educators are advised to check with their employing institutions, districts, and state departments of education.
