Wednesday, September 16th | Professional Models

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself and my community, in order to develop a project?
How can I communicate my ideas?

INTRODUCTION: Today, students will travel to two different disciplines to engage in observing and thinking about a professional model in those disciplines. Students are encouraged to visit disciplines other than the one that they were in for the mini-project week. Everyone should be mindful that this is an exploration, not a commitment to a discipline.

8:05 - Transition to first discipline for professional model.


8:30 - Transition to second discipline for professional model.


9:00 - Town Hall begins

-----------

An approach to looking at model projects:

SEE: What do you see? What choices can you see the artist(s) make?

THINK: What do you think the artist(s) value? What did the artist(s) think about in order to create their piece?

PUZZLE: How does the work puzzle or challenge you? What questions would you ask the artist(s) if they were standing in front of you?

EXPLORE: What did you see or hear that you would like to explore more through a project or process of your own?

Tuesday, Sept 15th | Ideation

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself and my community, in order to develop a project?
What's possible?

DO NOW: Locate your brainstorming from yesterday. Take a different color font or ink, and highlight the words, phrases, concepts that stand out to you. Turn and talk. Tell at least two other people about the ideas that stand out do you. Discuss connections. A few people share out to the whole class.

IDEATION: As a group, clarify the purpose of ideation. Remember that everyone and every project benefits from brainstorming first, because it allows us to see new and many possibilities. What is the best way to proceed? Decide. It is helpful to know all that is happening in the room we are thinking in, in case we need help thinking or changing our thinking.

Try a mind map. Use one of the ideas, phrases, concepts that you selected in the "do now" and expand your thinking. Spend 20 minutes filling the page, before inviting someone else to view your mind map and share their connections. You can choose if you'd like to include their connections or now. Continue connecting, expanding possibilities.

When a mind map feels full or complete (somehow), use post-it notes to begin generating questions. Place the questions on the areas of the map that connect to them. Remember, right now, anything is possible. Imagine. Wonder.

If something sticks to you, try the Beane Protocol next...

Keep all notes, possibilities, options for future reference!

TICKET OUT: Is there an art form that is emerging in your thinking, envisioning? What is it?

Tomorrow, students will have the opportunity to view model projects in different disciplines.




OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

Where do ideas come from? by Steven Johnson
6 Creative Ways to Brainstorm

Monday, Sept 14th | Reflection on Mini-Projects and Beginning Ideation

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself and my community, in order to develop a project?

GATHERING: Circle up! Start by revisiting the criteria for a quality appreciation, from Advisory/Town Hall last week. In a go-around, share an appreciation from mini-project exhibitions on Friday. Students are encouraged to share an observation of another group, rather than something from their own group.

COMPASS POINTS: To make the transition from mini-projects to independent projects, go through the process of developing compass points and discussing/addressing specific points in a conversation.

• E - Knowing that you have the opportunity to choose and design your own project, what are you most Excited about?
• W - What are you worried about?
• N - What do you need to know, before moving forward or to be able to envision the semester?
• S - What suggestions to experienced students have for the semester? For ideation?

IDEATION: As a group, review the approaches to ideation that we have looked to in the past weeks and semesters. Also, see if there are other ideas or experiences or suggestions for ideation out there. Capture and share new ideas.

Suggestion: Begin with lists or mind maps of passions, interests, skills, and transformative experiences.

TICKET OUT: Headline: If someone was writing an article about you during ideation today, what would their headline be?