How Synthesis Plans To Reinvent Our Education System (Elon Musk's Kids Went Through This Program!)

Leveling Up with Eric Siu

Today’s guest is Chrisman Frank, CEO of Synthesis, the innovative learning experience designed to develop students who thrive on complexity and solving for the unknown. Chrisman joins us on the show to speak about the unique approach behind Synthesis and how it is reinventing the way we think about teaching children. We hear about how our guest started working at the intersection of technology and education before learning about Elon Musk’s school, Ad Astra. He talks about how he adapted the approaches designed by his co-founder Joshua Dahn for Musk’s school to Synthesis. Our conversation covers the mechanics of the simulation-based competitions that make up the Synthesis syllabus. These simulations consist of putting kids in situations involving having to make difficult tradeoffs under uncertainty and then checking their results against competing teams. We explore how this approach helps children learn to reason and communicate in a way that is categorically different than their peers. Our conversation also covers lessons Chrisman took away from his time with ClassDojo, metrics for the success of Synthesis, and some of the key texts that have influenced our guest’s thinking.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:00] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast!
• [00:42] How Chrisman got into tech, learned about Elon Musk’s school Ad Astra, and started Synthesis.
• [02:35] The influence of the first principles approach at Musk’s school on Chrisman’s thinking.
• [05:06] Benefits of the problem solving-focused simulations used by Chrisman’s co-founder, Joshua Dahn.
• [07:18] How Synthesis compares to regular school and how the timetable is designed.
• [08:35] The Simulations that Josh designed for Ad Astra being used at Synthesis.
• [10:06] Learning how to think by experiencing the results of past poor thinking.
• [11:19] The mechanics of the course and how the syllabus is designed.
• [13:19] Numbers such as revenue at the time of Synthesis’ first raise.
• [15:04] Key learnings around education and business Chrisman took from ClassDojo.
• [18:27] A new application process for Synthesis Chrisman is dropping in the form of a game.
• [21:28] Top books recommended by Chrisman that relate to Synthesis.
• [24:43] The best way to find and connect with Chrisman online.

Resources From The Interview:

• Chrisman Frank
• Chrisman Frank on Twitter
• Synthesis
• Joshua Dahn

• Maverick

• ClassDojo
• Must-read books: Beginning of Infinity, Inserto, and Blood Meridian

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Connect with Eric Siu:

• Growth Everywhere
• Single Grain
• Leveling Up
• Eric Siu on Twitter

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