John Dewey was an American philosopher and educator who promoted an innovative theory on education. He stressed learning by doing, rather than the authoritarian teaching methods and rote learning most commonly used in educational settings.

The Dewey Way is a fictional account of Eduard Bolton, who puts Dewey’s theory to the test, creating a Science and Education Center in a small New England town—one that has been struggling to attract the right personnel to meet the needs of local industries. His idea? Rather than training college graduates, the Center pairs high school graduates who might not otherwise be able to afford college with high-level scientists and puts them to work in a functioning laboratory, testing samples for local businesses. This tuition-free plan offers students the chance to learn valuable skills on the job and positions them for further education and future career opportunities—all while serving the community’s needs. But will the Center be able to fulfil its goals, providing a win-win-win situation for all involved?