May 4, 2012 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was looking for a little magic this week.
The federal agency was advertising for a certified motivational speaker for a one-day conference who could inspire leadership using magic techniques.
The winning bidder for the contract, according to a job posting that went up Tuesday, but was then removed Thursday after press inquiries and commentary by U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, would have come from a controversial school of educational theory developed by Harvard University's Howard Gardner, who developed the idea of multiple intelligences.
According to the ad, the winning bidder was to take "a multidisciplinary approach using experiential exercises, physical energizers, magic tricks, puzzles, brain teasers, word games, humor and team-building exercises designed to demonstrate how to stimulate creativity, encourage active participation, and practice needed skills and competency."
Read the complete story from The Gloucester Times.