Abstract:

Despite growing challenges within education and educational policy, teachers and schools are expressing a renewed interest in and excitement about hands-on, creativity-based education. As we acknowledge that students learn in different ways through multiple intelligences, creativity and design-based education is more poised than ever to be a great equalizer and invitation to all students to find meaning and purpose in their own learning. From maker spaces to reinvented vocational programs to the integration of more project-based activities in language, math, and science classes, there are so many strategies to help teachers and students alike embrace rigorous creative practice. Furthermore, by connecting creativity to our communities, bringing real projects to life in the real world, students become young leaders with the soft and hard skills that will prepare them for the future. And in turn, communities thrive by collaborating with brilliant young people and educators committed to impact. Emily Pilloton has been doing this work in the classroom and in the community for over a decade, and has built public architecture and other real-world projects with over 1000 students. With a background in design and architecture, her educational experience has led to new adopted curriculum in public school districts along with dozens of community-based design projects that have been led and built entirely by students. In her presentation, Emily will share stories of these community-focused creative projects and provide strategies and mindsets to bring purposeful making into any classroom.

Keywords:

creativity in the classroom.