From Bob’s Desk: A Year End Letter from Michelle Moog-Koussa

“Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool lessons are authentic, with real world relevancy that truly leave a lasting impact on our students.  I would love to see Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool continue to grow so that students all over our country can learn the science of sound through this innovative curriculum!” – Donalyn Small, Science Instructional Coach, Asheville City Schools

I am writing today from Bob Moog’s desk. This desk is a source of daily inspiration for me as I guide the Bob Moog Foundation towards becoming a leader in inspiring children’s lives.  Years ago, Bob sat behind this desk, forging new paths in sonic reality.  By so doing, he transformed the future. The Foundation, too, is blazing new trails, but this time in science education. Where Bob provided innovative musical instruments to musicians, giving them a new voice for their creativity, the Foundation is providing much needed innovative and effective educational opportunities to children – children who will become tomorrow’s generation of thinkers and problem solvers.

Make your year end contribution to support the Bob Moog Foundation here.

You have likely read about Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool (DBSS), our educational initiative teaching children the science of sound through the magic of music.  Through this 10 week standardized curriculum, we break through current academic monotony and stagnant materials that leave teachers and students uninspired. Instead, our curriculum sparks independent thinking, group discussion and discovery; it provides light bulb moments about science, sound, and art in every lesson.

For those of you who have supported this effort in the past, thank you for making our work possible. You are a big part of our success. Your contributions have enabled us to refine our curriculum, conduct in-depth teacher trainings, and provide custom materials to classrooms that excite children and inspire them to learn.

Through DBSS, the Bob Moog Foundation addresses a great need in education by providing STEAM- (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) based education.  Because children in the United States consistently rank far behind children in other countries for science achievement, encouraging and providing STEAM education is becoming increasingly essential to the intellectual health of our country.

We are immensely proud of the work we are doing, and we are gratified to hear from teachers, children, and parents that DBSS is making a real impact –- that kids are excited to learn through our curriculum.  I recently met a mother of a DBSS student and she said to me,

“Thank you so much for what you are doing in the schools. My daughter is in a Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool classroom.  Each week she gets in the car and bubbles with enthusiasm about what she learned through DBSS that day.  Now she is teaching me and my three year old son about sound!” -Kristin Keliher, parent

Hearing that kind of feedback is immensely rewarding and it’s also very motivating.  We know that Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool has the potential to inspire children across the country; everyone here at the Bob Moog Foundation is dedicated to making that potential a reality.

DBSS will be taught in second grade classrooms throughout Asheville, NC this year.  Our goal is to grow the program regionally and nationally beginning next year.

As the program grows, so does the need for support. Growth outside of our local area demands increased teacher training, materials, and administration.  Our goal is to raise $25,000 before the end of the year to grow DBSS to the next level.

During this season of giving, I encourage you to be part of our work by donating $25, $100, $500, $1,000 or $5,000, to help us provide the needed resources to bring our innovative program to a wider audience of children.

Be part of the inspirational force that will affect children’s science aptitude and creative inclination.  Help us transform the future. Donate.

With Warm Wishes,

Michelle Moog-Koussa

Executive Director

December 2012

P.S.  Please donate to help DBSS expand regionally and nationwide. Educating a child through Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool costs only $20 –- that’s for a 10-week innovative curriculum. With a $100 donation, you help educate five children. With a $500 donation, you help educate an entire classroom. Please donate before December 31^st and empower the Bob Moog Foundation to turn Bob’s enduring legacy into a transformative force in science education.