Where ConvergeEd Is Today
Today, ConvergeEd is working with more than 15 school districts, universities, and corporate and workforce partners to expand access to experiential learning across the country, has more than 500 certified educators and has served more than 25,000 students in Total Experience Learning® (TExpL®) classrooms.
The mission is clear make high-quality, inquiry-driven learning accessible to every educator, every student, and every learning environment.
Where It Began
While earning her Ph.D. in Philadelphia, Dr. Adelle Schade saw firsthand the stark contrast between opportunity-rich urban research environments and the limited access available to students in rural school districts like Conrad Weiser.
She asked a simple but urgent question:
What if every student regardless of geography had access to real-world, high-level learning experiences?
That question became the foundation for what would become Total Experience Learning.
The Birth of Experiential Learning in Action
Back in her high school classroom, Dr. Schade launched what would become the Science Research Institute (SRI) an early framework of experiential, inquiry-driven education.
Instead of traditional assignments, students pursued their own research questions, including:
- Can you make glass from chicken manure?
- Can forensic evidence be detected through insect analysis after a body is moved?
These weren’t hypothetical exercises they were real investigations with real outcomes.
Students:
- Conducted original research
- Worked with professional-grade tools and methodologies
- Earned patents
- Won state and national awards
What emerged was more than a program it was proof that students rise to the level of opportunity they’re given.
From Classroom Innovation to Scalable Framework
As the Science Research Institute grew, so did its impact.
Within five years:
- Enrollment expanded to more than 50 students
- The program outgrew its original space
- Demand for expansion became undeniable
Recognizing the broader potential, Dr. Schade founded ConvergeEd to protect, develop, and scale the intellectual property behind this instructional framework.
From Classroom Innovation to Scalable Framework
In 2020, the program transitioned to Albright College, marking a critical turning point.
This move enabled:
- Expansion beyond science into all disciplines
- Access to advanced facilities and equipment
- Development of a broader experiential learning ecosystem
It was here that Total Experience Learning became a formalized instructional framework no longer just a program, but a scalable instructional framework for transforming education.
From Student Programs to Educator Transformation
What started with students quickly expanded to educators.
ConvergeEd introduced:
- Summer and after-school research programs
- Professional development for educators
- The Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This four-course, accredited program allowed educators to apply experiential learning directly in their classrooms, creating immediate, measurable impact.
From the very beginning, demand was strong especially among educators and administrators seeking practical, results-driven innovation.
Proven Growth and Institutional Momentum
The evolution of ConvergeEd and TExpL has been marked by steady growth and increasing validation:
- Founded as Science Research Institute (SRI) in Conrad Weiser School District
- 80+ cross-sector partnerships established
- 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2016
- TExpL formalized through university partnerships
- ConvergeEd launched to scale the instructional framework globally
A New Era:
The Total Experience Learning Institute at Alvernia University
In 2024, ConvergeEd entered a transformative partnership with Alvernia University, launching the Total Experience Learning Institute at Alvernia University.
This collaboration enables:
- Delivery of accredited TExpL training programs
- Expanded access for educators across Pennsylvania and beyond
- Scalable implementation across districts
The results have been clear: - Strong enrollment growth
- High satisfaction among educators and administrators
- Measurable improvements in engagement, confidence, and retention
- Following initial cohorts, nearly all participating districts expanded their involvement, signaling both effectiveness and demand.
Looking Ahead
What began as one educator’s response to inequity has grown into a movement.
ConvergeEd is actively scaling Total Experience.
Learning to reach:
- Classrooms across the U.S.
- Higher education institutions
- Workforce and corporate training environments
Because the future of education isn’t about delivering information.
It’s about creating experiences that ignite curiosity, build capability, and prepare learners for a rapidly changing world.
Join the Movement
Ready to explore how ConvergeEd can transform learning in your district, institution, or organization?
Contact ConvergeEd today be part of transforming education.