Cheri Pierson,Yecke, Ph.D. Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools explains:  "The conference this year will be an opportunity to highlight the state's best model academies and programs to other schools looking to implement such programs of their own".

Mrs. Julie Alm, the principal of The Aventura City of Excellence School talks about the successful collaboration with the Mind Lab program at the Fair's break-out session:

"ACES decided to utilize this year an interdisciplinary instructional approach that ensures students make connections within and between subject areas. We believe that the most productive way of learning is through engaging hands-on experiences, which make the learning environment student centered. Through a partnership with Mind Lab we are able to offer a forum where students can synthesize critical thinking skills and apply problem solving skills through play.  Mind Lab, which is aligned to state standards, engages students in games from around the world that require the application of higher order thinking strategies.

The Mind Lab program includes three stages. First, children indulge in game playing and acquiring "a box of tools" comprised from strategies and rational concepts building on their repertoire of problem solving strategies. The second stage is based on a series of meta-cognitive models that are related to the game. These thinking models serve as a bridge between the game world and real life. In the third stage, a discussion is initiated, that ensures students connect the thinking model to relevant real life situations.