Journey to Planet Knowledge

Four children embark on a mission to a planet called Knowledge. Their mission unknown, they meet an unusual tour guide a majestic longhaired yak. Yakkity (she likes to be called "Kitty") leads the children through many areas of knowledge where they explore each discipline and begin to piece together their mission. As their journey is coming to an end, they meet Ergo, who teaches them about the importance of thinking differently. As the story unfolds, the children uncover and embrace their mission.

Journey to Planet Knowledge is about the joys of learning new facts and knowledge and the power of thinking across disciplines. Take your child on this journey (free map included) and see what you can discover together!

The future of science and the arts is interdisciplinary. Get your children started by preparing them to think deeply about why there are disciplines of knowledge and how to think about interdisciplinary patterns that cross the boundaries of disciplines. A rhyming book that is great for young and old kids alike.

Derek Cabrera is a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University and a Research Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute for the study of complex systems. Derek currently teaches a graduate course on thinking in Cornell's Department of Education. His research focuses on analytical, creative, and systemic thinking; he applies interdisciplinary work in nonlinear and systems sciences, evolutionary biology, cognition, human development and education to better understanding patterns that underlie human thought. Derek invented (and holds a US Patent for) ThinkBlocks, a tactile manipulative toy that teaches advanced abstract thinking skills to children and adults.

Laura Colosi has been part of the Cornell community for more than 15 years. She completed her Doctorate in the Department of Policy Analysis and Management. Her current position at Cornell involves improving parent education for the statewide Cooperative Extension Administration. She is also developing an assessment and reporting system for parent education programs in New York in hopes of developing a model for national implementation. In addition to her work at Cornell, Laura serves as a consultant to external organizations on applying systems thinking to evaluate educational and outreach programs.