Our elementary school will be opening an Innovation Studio in the Fall of 2017. In order to prepare the space, I have researched ideal environments for collaboration and creativity. All the resources and technology will be at our fingertips but will we as educators be ready to optimize our new classroom? Our team has been reading and seeking information about how to create an innovative culture. STEM and STREAM strategies have been in the forefront but “innovation” is more than integrating content. It is about risk taking, problem solving, reimagining, collaboration, communication, technology and moving forward. In a recent training, I learned about Scrum. Scrum is an Agile framework for completing complex projects. It began as a process used by software developers and values focus, courage, openness, commitment, and respect. Agile is a philosophy that prioritizes individuals and interactions, meaningful learning over measurement of learning, stakeholder collaboration over negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan. I was inspired by the Scrum strategy and I can see incredible potential to increase productivity and teamwork in our elementary students. Ever since the training I have been asking friends and acquaintances in the business world about Scrum. Many of them were familiar with the framework. They were intrigued by my interest and led to enlightening conversations about connections between business and education. Making these connections and learning how we as elementary teachers can optimize our newly acquired Innovation Studio has become my passion. The Future Festival, Scrum Training, the Silicon Valley businesses, the Research Triangle Park, and ISTE can provide incredible insights.
- Richmond offers Scrum Master training for business community. Training for educators does not yet exist therefore I am hoping to be one of the first to create professional development experiences for elementary education.
- The Future Festival has been described as the “world’s best innovation conference.” The 2017 conference is in Toronto at Trend Hunter headquarters but they have not announced the 2018 date. (My estimated budget was set based on this year’s conference, although I hope to attend next year.) The Future Festival highlights the most successful businesses in all categories, presents next year’s trends, presents “disruptive ideas”, and famous innovative workshops. A wide range of companies: retail, food, pharmaceuticals, car manufacturers, technology, and publications all attend. This conference is the perfect place for me to access businesses and learn about the future trends in multiple industries. Networking will allow me to meet and discuss how they promote innovation and productivity in their companies. One of the most exciting parts of the conference is the safaris. These experiences are available throughout and introduce participants to new technologies and Yoga with a Brain Reader, Motion-Added Photography, Laser Engraving Bakeries to name just a few.
- Silicon Valley is at the cutting edge of technology and engineering. Google, Apple, Lockheed Martin, Facebook, and Tesla are located there and Space X only a train ride away. To gain insight, I plan on scheduling interviews with as many of these companies as possible. I am hoping the Future Festival Conference will yield important connections that will improve my access at these companies. I will be asking about innovative environments, collaborative practices, how they set and complete goals, and how they foster an efficient, healthy, and happy work environment.
- The Research Triangle in North Carolina participates in an initiative called US2020 STEM. A variety of opportunities exist for companies and schools to partner to increase STEM education. There are industry Summits, Educators Summits and Speed Mentoring. The Industry Summit was in June of this year and is scheduled for June of next year. It is the perfect opportunity to learn about a community model that is successfully linking businesses and schools. Learning about the STEM in the Park events will help me apply some of the insights I learn at the conference and in Silicon Valley.
- Lastly, The International Society for Technology in Education is on the forefront of innovation. Learning about strategies and new technologies and applying those to the insights I gain throughout these experiences will lead my educational community into the future.