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Rational Agriculture

Posted by Michael Gold - November 15, 2020 - Biology, Culture, Economics, Education, Logic, Science, Technology

Not only do trees protect more delicate edible plants from the elements and extreme weather, they provide nutrients, water, pest control and pollination services. Although you might not find all your traditional annual veggies in a forest garden, you will discover hundreds of new varieties of edible plants you never knew existed, that are often […]

CCERP Podcast 22 MaryAnne Placentini of Katy Prairie Conservancy: How Wetlands and Prairies Help Us Manage Flooding

Posted by Michael Gold - November 6, 2020 - Biology, Culture, Economics, Geology, History, Logic, Philosophy, Physics, Science, Technology

Mary Anne Piacentini, President, Katy Prairie Conservancy, joins us to discuss:-her background -the Katy Prairie Conservancy: what it does and what it has accomplished -Houston flooding: what and why-the Army Corps of Engineers Interim Report: what it says; what has been accepted and what has been rejected by it-effective, cost-efficient, proven manageable ways to mitigate flooding-what to […]

ReasonRx Podcast Episode 25 Award-winning Teacher Scott Harris: What’s Wrong With Science Education and How To Fix It

Posted by Michael Gold - February 4, 2020 - Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, College, Culture, Economics, Education, History, Homeschooling, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Science

In this episode, Scott, Melanie, and Michael provide and discuss evidence that science education is broken and in need of help, then discuss some ways to fix science education (and education in general). Also available on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Deezer, Spotify, and Castbox. And more. To support the show and […]

ReasonRx Podcast Episode 7 Teacher Scott Harris: What is Education? Part 1

Posted by Michael Gold - April 28, 2019 - College, Culture, Economics, Education, Homeschooling, Philosophy

In What Is Education? Part 1, Scott Harris joins Melanie and Michael to discuss what parents, teachers, and professionals need to know about education. How does a teacher know she’s doing well? What standards could she use to judge the education of her students? And her own teaching? Using good principles of education, what can […]

ReasonRx Podcast Episode 6 Teacher Scott Harris on Teaching and Learning for Everyone

Posted by Michael Gold - April 7, 2019 - Child Development, College, Culture, Economics, Education, Logic, Parenting, Philosophy, Science

In our latest podcast (also on iTunes), Scott Harris discusses ideas and techniques parents, teachers, adults, business professionals, and students can use to better learn and educate. We all have to use principles of education and communication to work with other people. We need good techniques to teach our children, teach students, teach other adults, […]

Field Notes 1-12-17 On Revolutionizing Science Education

Posted by Michael Gold - February 23, 2017 - Biology, Chemistry, Culture, Economics, Education, Homeschooling, Language, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Science, Statistics

Field Notes on Word Problems 11-15-16

Posted by Michael Gold - December 2, 2016 - Astronomy, Chemistry, College, Economics, Education, Homeschooling, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Science

Be Aristotelian, Not Platonic

Posted by Michael Gold - March 30, 2016 - Art, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Child Development, Economics, Education, History, Homeschooling, Logic, Philosophy, Physics, Science

An idea key to science and successful life — and good education — happens from about 1:24 to 1:56, in this video excerpt from the 1996 movie Infinity, about the great physicist Richard Feynman. “You got to look at the bird. You got to listen to the bird. You got to try to understand what […]

Math in Land Management

Posted by Michael Gold - March 28, 2013 - Animals, Biology, Culture, Economics, Mathematics, Science

Allan Savory makes use of math in his work in land management, using, for example, the sigmoid function. He talks about his work (but not the math; he needed to keep it simple for the general audience) in his TED talk How to Green the Desert and Reverse Climate Change. You can see some of […]

Happy Belated Birthday, Andrew Carnegie!

Posted by Michael Gold - November 27, 2012 - Culture, Economics, History, Holidays & Greetings

Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835. In “Carnegie, an Intellectual Capitalist,” Scott Holleran says: On his first job as a young teenager, Carnegie worked in a factory, and he made an effort to spend part of every Sunday discussing and debating issues with friends. Eventually, he left that job when he was hired […]

"[The twins] did well on [their geometry final]. Got 90+."
Mythili R, parent of high school student,

"'Use logic in math' is my motto."
Sophia S, high school (I love that quote.),

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Mary H, parent of high school student,

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Kevin B, high school student,

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John T, high school student,

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Tia Z, high school student,

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Corinna C, parent of high school student,

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Melissa S, parent of high school student,

"Had a microbiology midterm this morning. On the exam there was a bacterial growth problem that required a little bit of math to determine the answer. I could not for the life of me recall the equation we were told to use...luckily I was able to reason out the equation using some logarithm rules (which I can't believe I remembered lol).

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Rajiv R, ex-student,

"Jack made a 100 on his major test today!!!!! He is so proud! Thanks so much!!!"
Joy R, parent of high school student,

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John T, former high school and college student,

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I hope she finishes up the year strong."
Mr. M, high school teacher of Madison S; quote from emailed note from teacher to parent,

"Jack made an 87 on his test. That's his highest test grade yet in pre AP chemistry! We are thrilled! Thank you!"
Joy R, parent of high school student,

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Adrienne W, mother of a college student,

"Mr. Gold I have to say without a doubt you are the smartest teacher I have ever met."
Alec K, high school student,

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Rajiv R, former high school student ,

"Thanks for the [SAT] class - it was incredibly helpful and good practice."
Jessica P, high school student,

"Thank you again for your efforts and wonderful tutoring for both the SAT and ACT prep classes. I think the benefits reach far beyond good scores on standardized tests. I believe the skills you teach and emphasize have a tremendous impact on our kiddos critical thinking as well. You are greatly appreciated by our family!"
Michelle F, mother of high school student,

"Thank you so much for giving your time to teach the ACT and SAT prep classes. I really appreciate it, and I believe that it helped me greatly in taking the tests. I am very happy with my scores."
Courtney F, high school student,

"I wanted to thank you again for the ACT prep class. I got a 30 on the ACT on my first try. Your classes really prepared me - there's no way I could have gotten that without your help. So THANK YOU!"
Jessica P, high school student,

"I really did learn more than geometry and math taking classes with you. I learned to reason and use logic to start solving things in everyday life. It’s pretty useful at work when I use reasoning to find root causes, and to find and fix problems. You teach people how to THINK!"
Dylan T, ex-high school student now in his 20s,

I passed my welding engineer course after three years of studying on my own and applying the basic principles you instilled in me. I am now a certified Apprentice Welding Inspector recognized by the American Welding Society.

The skills you taught me allow me to outperform even on tests that are initially of an unfamiliar subject matter just due to the logic and the testing rules you taught me years ago.

Thank you!
Jimi T,

I hope more kids go to you for tutoring; you made me enjoy learning again.
Jacob L, ex-student,

You're one heck of a tutor. College is a lot easier due to the way you taught me how to think.
Josh P, ex-student,

"Michael Gold is an awesome trainer. His workouts are designed to improve all elements of fitness: coordination, strength, stamina, mobility, just to name a few.

"Back in college I did a year of CrossFit and later on went through weight lifting programs with trainers at my gym. Michael has definitely been #1 when it came to proper form and joint/ligament strengthening.

"I trained with Michael for about 7 months and I saw huge improvements in my endurance and fitness. I felt better overall and even had some surprising benefits.

"I now effortlessly make baskets when throwing paper into my garbage bin, whereas, before working with Michael, I would always miss. And I am now much more aware of my environment, which especially helps when driving.

"He is big on safety and makes sure he trains to match people's fitness levels whatever they may be.

"I would definitely recommend him to anyone trying to improve their fitness and well-being in whatever capacity."
Joseph S,

"Exercising in the woods with Michael has benefited me more than any other type of workout that I have done with any trainer. The more I work out with Michael, the more I learn about my physical/mental strengths and weaknesses, and about nutrition for athletic performance and good health.

"Ultimately, strengthening and conditioning is my goal. I enjoy the natural movements and the unlimited amount of exercises that Michael routinely exhibits in the outdoors. Climbing trees, carrying logs and asymmetrical objects, learning to balance on uneven surfaces, and strengthening ligaments, rather than just muscles, are unique exercises Michael utilizes.

"He is more than just your typical trainer as he covers your overall well-being.

"I am a freshman on the LSU football team and can attest that Michael is an excellent strength coach, and he knows more about diet and nutrition than any other trainer I know."
Carlton S,

“Gold Academy is an experience unlike anything I was expecting. Coming from a background of physical contact sports such as hockey and football, I wanted to get myself back into form, without a florescent lighting tan, without aggravating previous injuries from the glory days. Being outside was the greatest reward, and the challenge I was looking for. Michael was with me every step of the way, building routines for with me and for me, helping me to build my body correctly and avoid injuries. This is not a boot camp for those who need someone mindlessly yelling in your face. This was an in depth structured experience, for me to be my own drill sergeant, because that is where true success lies, in becoming the best version of yourself. Starting off simply, then constantly challenging yourself to master simplicity, until your skills are your foundation. This a custom tailored experience, and I recommend Michael's expertise and logical approach. Be prepared to learn with Michael, he's a great teacher and an invaluable resource of knowledge. Be prepared to be immersed in nature. Be prepared to bring your mind, body, diet, and thinking to new levels. I recommend the Gold Academy experience for all those looking to build the best self version they achieve. Get out of the box and get involved!”
Matthew Hines, Houston Texas,

Michael expounds all that is science in such an interesting and exciting way! He always keeps my kids engaged and thinking that science is fun!

He presents science in a logical, rational, integrated way – making it easy and possible to take everything they are learning and apply it in ‘the real world’… not just a list of useless facts, but tangible, knowable, valuable life lessons.

He builds a great foundation with biology first and all the rest of the sciences following and integrating from there. Who knew that biology, physics, physical fitness, and chemistry are all related and integrated? Just take a few science classes with Michael, and you’ll see for yourself!

Whether you’re homeschooling and want to seriously upgrade your science curriculum or just want to supplement your child’s deplorably lacking public school science education. Michael will make science fun, interesting, and relevant to your kids’ lives – and yours!
Melanie H (homeschool mom of 3),