Educational Startups: Designing Schools for Future Innovators
Imagine walking into the perfect modern startup. The first thing you notice is the positive, creative energy in the air. The space is open, flexible, and filled with natural light and with indoor green areas to promote well-being. You stroll through some cozy communal areas with games and comfortable furniture, perfect for relaxing and socialising. As you wander down the hall, you see a gallery of past projects, accomplishments, and ideas, showcasing all the wonderful work that has been done.
In the work zone, you observe a hive of activity. Some people are deep in research, others are brainstorming and adding new ideas to their boards. A few are immersed in 3D modelling on their laptops, whilst others are designing prototypes and receiving feedback. The atmosphere is teeming with dynamism and possibility. This is a place where bright minds with diverse talents and abilities come together to tackle meaningful problems.
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What if we used the same concept to design our schools and promote important 21st century skills?
Schools can adopt a startup design by incorporating several key elements commonly found in startup environments such as:
Hands-on projects: Engage students with projects inspired by real world problems.
Collaborative work: Promote projects where students get to exchange ideas and work together.
Daily stand-ups: Small meetings to track progress, set goals, and reflect on what was learned.
Flexible schedules: Maintain a steady workflow and deep focus without interruptions.
Business tools: Use tools like flowcharts, mind maps, brainstorming boards, flip charts, whiteboards and various tools to facilitate communication and planning.
Self-led projects: Encourage student independence and initiative through self-directed projects.
Work shop and seminars: Organise skill building workshops and seminars with guest speakers from different industries.
Networking opportunities: Create opportunities for networking inside and outside the school.
Community work: Participate to community projects to have a positive impact and engage in real world problem solving.
Technology integration: Give students the opportunity to create whatever they have in mind both digitally and physically.
Final exhibitions: Allow students to demonstrate their learning and practice public speaking through final presentations and TED-style talks.
To better understand how this concept works in real life, let us take example on the Innovation School NuVu Studio based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and mentioned in my List of Schools.
NuVu is an independent non-traditional school where the next generation of young innovators develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to solve real-world problems through project-based learning.
Here is what a typical day at NuVu looks like:
At the end of each 3 to 4 week studio session, students present their work, explaining their learning process and showcasing their results while receiving final feedback from peers and coaches. On the last day of each trimester, families, outside experts, and guests are invited to celebrate completed projects. Through presentations and science-fair-style discussions, students actively engage with the community, sharing their achievements and insights gained.
The physical environment of classrooms also plays a crucial role in fostering well-being, productivity, and learning. It is essential to create spaces that facilitate collaboration, communication, and creativity.
The space should contain movable chairs and boards for spontaneous collaboration, ergonomic furniture for comfort, modern design elements, flexible learning spaces and natural light.
To promote a healthier and more dynamic lifestyle, students should have the opportunity to move freely between various workstations rather than remaining seated for extended periods. This can be achieved by dividing the space into different areas assigned to specific workshops, each serving a unique purpose. These areas may include:
Design Studio: Dedicated to prototyping and construction projects.
Digital Hub: Equipped with computers, tablets, smart boards, and other modern technologies for digital exploration, learning, and creation.
Lounge and Cafeteria: Modern relaxation area for social gatherings and meals.
Collaboration Tables: Tables designed to facilitate teamwork and creative collaboration.
Focus Area: Quiet space for uninterrupted deep work and concentration.
Presentation Zone: Space equipped for workshops and presentations, including Ted Talks.
Exhibit Space: Area to showcase previous work and foster inspiration and creativity.
Green Zones: Outdoor and indoor green areas to promote well-being and a connection to the natural environment.
Multipurpose Rooms: Adaptable for meetings, workshops, and other activities.
Small Meeting Pods: Enclosed rooms for 1:1 meetings or small group collaborations.
Active Zones: Areas designed to promote physical activities and play, contributing to a healthy and active learning environment.
By integrating these elements, schools can create a dynamic, engaging learning environment that mirrors the innovative and collaborative spirit of startups.
Example of 21st century schools resembling startup environments:
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