A mere 15 hours of training prepares facilitators to engage the arts and humanities to teach any subject. This is rigorous and enjoyable professional development. Texts turn into raw material for making art and exploring interpretations, which transforms difficulties into artistic challenges. We call it “pedagogical acupuncture.” One prompt: “make art from texts,” activates cognitive, emotional, and civic faculties. With Paolo Freire, John Dewey, José Vasconcelos, Augusto Boal, Maria Montessori (doctor and scientist who developed her method in Rome’s slum), and many other mentors, we demonstrate that intelligence and creativity abound everywhere even when other resources are missing.
