Conference+House+Lilac+-+Incubator+Program

Student Incubator Program

Matt (Dwight) Jean (Poly Prep) Zach (Westchester Day School) Andrew (Riverdale Country School) Katie (Rye Country Day School) David (Poughkeepsie Day School)

Katie: Non-profit partners, very focused on service piece of the innovation, launching new course: “Hacking for a Cause” (post AP course) at Rye Country Day

David: Has place in their schedule for interdisciplinary work off-campus

Matthew:

IB school, 10th grade personal project for all kids as part of the curriculum, not enough excitement about the project even though parameters allow for complete personalization “Igniting the spark of genius in every child” -- every child should find the thing they’re passionate about and develop that school. Are we really achieving that? How do kids discover what they love?

Program in place for three years An open program -- in 10th grade kids get to pick what interests them and do it, why not in other grades? Why only one year where they kids to pick what they care about and do it? Pair them with a mentor to give them support Structured so they’re recognized when they reach certain phases of the design cycle Stage 1: I can articulate the problem and demonstrate research that got me here.

(If a kid comes in and has an idea already, will back them up and lead them through empathy exercises to create a User Needs Statement) Stage 2: Plan Stage 3: Prototype Stage 4: Pre-launch / operations Stage 5: Launch (have presented to inteded audience, end user)

How does this work logistically? > > >
 * Checklist for each of the stages
 * Figure out where they are and help them through it 1:1
 * Mostly after school

Andrew: > > > > > > > > > > > >
 * Program/Course for seniors (post AP CS course);
 * Now shifted to focus on empathy piece
 * Product must educate and inform
 * In 2016-2017 using VR as a platform to connect to kids around country (involved a lot more groundwork / entrepeneurial skills, etc.)
 * In 2017-2018 working with technology behind apple watch / heart rate
 * Every morning they do exemplars and share what they’ve done and do reflective journals; developers coming and find them based on what they’re looking for (ie this year needed UI expert + medical experts) wear both developer and user hats
 * Assess via benchmarks (grading rubric includes communication; acquisition of new learning; respond well to feedback of other users; explanation/application of code)
 * Took them to NY Tech Startup to see / do the shark tank style pitch
 * Though developed first couple for an internal audience, but moving outside has helped foster more outside interest/support; has found so many people in the city very willing to help
 * When working with outside developers / experts, tries to get the kids out to visit their offices to make it more experiential
 * Summer program (coding during the day and then go visit developers)
 * Very valuable, but sometimes logistically hard to work out

Jean > >
 * Conversation at her school started with “How might we use our brand new maker space?
 * Also interest in fostering external partnerships

Matt’s kids are doing a conference for other kids who are doing this; working with parents who can help/give input / have specific expertise

School’s goal to create innovators rather than viable products

Where are you going to monetize it? Giving the kids ownership after they left (not the focus while they’re there).

Pivot’s are hard. Helped to have a mentor to help model how this happens/works in the real world.]

Matthew: Videos, wards, communications dept, etc. Design technology course required in 9th grade so that whets their appetite

Ways to support PD, etc. > > > >
 * Nueva School
 * Riverdale Teachers Guild
 * IDEO (Design Thinking for Educators)
 * K12 Lab at Stanford