Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s Post

2023 brought more inspiration, clarity, and exhaustion than I've experienced in a long, long time... maybe ever. I gathered a few of my thoughts in our annual Founder's Note: "Ten years ago, my classmates and I decided to continue working on a class project after graduation. It was called 'Brain Busters' (a regrettable name that was naturally already taken by a wrestling duo). It was an interactive game to help people learn about neuroscience and society. It was also one of the earliest iterations of The Plenary, Co. model. We’ve embraced several evolutions since then. We’ve facilitated workshops, led free science communication trainings across campuses, developed undergraduate courses and multidisciplinary frameworks, curated artworks, designed curriculum, and even did a brief stint as social platform developers. Some of these experiments were successes and others were... not. But regardless of the outcome, each was an exploration of what could be. They were our attempts to answer the question: if we used what we collectively know about how people stay open, connected, and inspired around ideas, what kind of system would we build? In 2023, we used every learning and insight from the past decade to sculpt a series of experiences that challenge today’s norms for how communities explore ideas, who should be at the center of the conversation, and what it looks like to intricately braid curiosity and creativity together in pursuit of wellbeing for people and the planet. These were our biggest experiments yet. And after ten years of testing and iterating, we’re proud to finally have our answer to that question. Now it’s time to build it." I can't wait for this next phase, and I'm so immensely grateful for all of the stubbornly hopeful and imaginative people who have walked with us this far. Don't forget to rest, yall. We've got a lot of work to do.

Yet another edition of the teachers’ training course Future Inventors took place at the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia. For three whole days teachers explored how the arts, aesthetic experience and embodied cognition can contribute to learning in STEM at school. It is since 2019 that we, at the Museum, research and experiment with new possibilities, test new grounds and challenge traditional teaching practice. We integrate digital art installations with inquiry-based science learning, we collaborate with artists to push the boundaries of experience and to create open-ended, inclusive learning. We invite a team of teachers from each school to join as we want those who teach science, technology, arts and music to work together, and to reason how -together- they can change their practice towards a more interdisciplinary approach. There is a lot to say about the intersection of science, the digital and the arts for the benefit of learning and the learners. Future Inventors, and the support of Fondazione Rocca, allowed us to give sense to the STEAM acronym through research and the design of a new approach. Next edition: 24-25-26 June.

This is dope. Particularly in the aspect of under documented contributions of BIPOC led organizations to their respective constituencies.

National History Day Utah is coming and the Utah Historical Society is looking for judges! Volunteering as a judge is a great way to help foster historical literacy and support Utah students. National History Day competitions are like science fairs—you don't have to be a subject matter expert to encourage kids and share their excitement. See contest dates and sign up here: bit.ly/3jafEeG Each year more than half a million students participate in the National History Day contest. Students choose a historical topic related to the annual theme, and then conduct primary and secondary research by looking through libraries, archives and museums, conducting oral history interviews, and visiting historic sites. They then present their work in one of five ways: as a paper, an exhibit, a performance, a documentary, or a website. To celebrate NHD's 50th anniversary, this year's theme is "Turning Points in History." This theme invites students to consider questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance.

The Three E's to Playspace Sustainability - Week 1: Education. Education, Engagement, and Enforcement. A new three-part series by Rolf Huber. https://bit.ly/3SAzKg1

We believe capacity building is at the epicenter of organizational effectiveness. Yet historically in our sector, it hasn’t worked as well as it should. It’s expensive – each org has to figure it out for themselves – and typical “white paper” offerings often don’t take into account the practical complexities of how nonprofits will implement in the real world. Each year, in collaboration with our members, we create a series of cohort-based Capacity-Building Program Tracks designed to solve for these challenges. By looking across our 100+ member orgs, we work to understand what the most urgent capacity building priorities are in our community, and then design deeply responsive, high impact programming. This programming is: 1️⃣ Included in our membership fee with no additional cost to member orgs, enabling more leaders to do more of it. 2️⃣ Done in cohorts, so that peer learning and accountability are built in, enabling leaders to understand all the ways these same needs and challenges show up across our sector. 3️⃣ Explicitly designed not as a “white paper,” but a series of practitioner-led sessions resulting in a co-created blueprint that leaders can take back to their orgs, ready for implementation. This year, 70% of all member organizations are participating in our capacity building programming. To learn more about joining the Alliance, reach out to Sadiq A. Ali.

At first glance, an exhibition by special children might evoke images of simple crafts—a set of beads, well-knit coir mats, perhaps a few paintings. Science might not even cross your mind. But Krupa and her dedicated team at Vasantham School & Home for People with Special Needs are shattering this myths. Today, we witnessed something extraordinary. Special children were not only exhibiting but also explaining miniature models, infographics, and presentations on Sustainability, Healthcare, and Advanced sciences. Their knowledge and enthusiasm were nothing short of incredible. This exhibition is the product of unwavering belief—the belief of passionate teachers who see potential where others might not, the belief of parents who refuse to give up on their children, and the belief of these special children themselves, who may take a little longer to learn but, when surrounded by love and faith, rise to the challenge in ways that leave us in awe. When such powerful forces unite, it creates something truly remarkable, and today, Celebrating Life was privileged to be among the first visitors, cheering these children on alongside the daughters of Vidhya Bharathi. Hats off to Krupa and her team for organizing such a brilliant, memorable event. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when hearts and minds come together with a common purpose. #EmpoweringSpecialChildren , #InclusionMatters , #BreakingBarriers #CelebratingAbilities #EducationForAll

I am thrilled to share the wonderful experience of being the Workshop Leader for the 2024 Welcome Back Vision Board Event for our incredible Kessler scholars. 🚀✨ It was an inspiring gathering filled with creativity, reflection, and goal-setting. Here are a few key takeaways that highlight the power of vision boards: 1. Clarity of Goals: Vision boards serve as powerful visual representations of one's aspirations. By crafting these boards, our scholars were able to articulate and clarify their short-term and long-term goals. The act of selecting and arranging images not only made their goals tangible but also instilled a sense of purpose. 2. Positive Visualization: Visualization is a key component of success. Through the creation of vision boards, our scholars immersed themselves in a positive and motivational mindset. By picturing their desired futures, they are better equipped to manifest those visions into reality. 3. Increased Focus and Motivation: The process of curating a vision board encourages individuals to identify their priorities. By selecting images and words that resonate with their ambitions, our scholars gained a heightened sense of focus and motivation. This, in turn, will drive them to stay committed to their academic and personal pursuits. 4. Building a Supportive Community: The event fostered a sense of camaraderie among our scholars. Sharing their vision boards allowed them to connect on a deeper level, understanding each other's dreams and aspirations. This sense of community will serve as a valuable support system throughout the academic year. As we begin this new chapter, I am confident that the ideas presented on these boards will lead our Kessler scholars to success. Special thanks to all who participated and contributed to the vibrant energy of the event and Donna Taylor-Schuman for allowing me to be a part of this! Here's to a year of growth, achievement, and realizing our dreams! 🌟

Today, we celebrate the launch of our latest impact report! This report captures the story of our work in action and its authentic results while celebrating those that make this work possible. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gEJHhmHd

Tomorrow, Thursday, September 21st is Caltech Giving Day! Click the link below and show your support! To learn some more, please visit givingday.caltech.edu! #CaltechGivingDay