In this conversation, Joyce Pereira and I dive into the innovative KoLAB program —a unique STEM and project-based learning (PBL) initiative that blends transdisciplinary pedagogy with real-world challenges. I share insights into the program's foundational principles, including its focus on authentic contexts and applied learning practices, while we explore its impact on students and educators alike. We also discuss thoughtful strategies to breathe new life into the program, f

This pair of sneakers is one of the favorites in my collection. It’s not just the fit or the look; it’s the story behind them. This New Balance collaboration was designed by Jeff Staple, the founder of Staple Pigeon and a creative force I have admired for years. Jeff is legendary for the 2005 Nike Pigeon Dunk, a release that effectively birthed modern sneaker culture and the "campout" phenomenon. But beyond the hype, Jeff is a master communicator. Recently, I had the incredib

I was honored to learn that a Design & Technology Book Club selected my book as their featured read for the month. It is always a privilege to engage with fellow educators who are passionate about innovation, and the members sent over some truly thought-provoking questions regarding the text and how my perspective has evolved since its publication. I wanted to share those questions and my responses with you here, as they sparked some deep reflection on my own journey with Des

Project-Based Learning (PBL) has a unique power: it makes learning come alive. It transforms abstract standards into essential tools for solving real problems. I recently experienced this firsthand while collaborating with educators Mary Kate Burke, Matt Kish, and Sean Smith on a Grade 5 science unit rooted in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Challenge: Hand Sanitizer Shortages   We started with a real-world problem. During a time of panic buying and empty sh

One of the essential elements of Project-Based Learning (PBL) is Sustained Inquiry . According to PBLworks.org , this implies an active, in-depth process where students “seek information or investigate,” rather than just looking things up online. A powerful way to facilitate this is by tapping into real-world experts. I saw the value of this during a 1st-grade STEM project led by Ms. Gillian Lait. The students were tasked with designing their own instruments to create music f

I recently spent a morning at Tombalek, a traditional craft workshop, with my friend Shaun. We are both makers at heart, but this was a new challenge: forging a knife. It was an incredible experience—taking raw steel, heating it to high temperatures, hammering it into shape, and carefully grinding the blade. But as I stood there covered in dust and sweat, I wasn't just thinking about the knife. I was thinking about our responsibility as educators. Our job is to connect what s

When designing learning experiences, it is easy for educators to get fixated on the What —"What will the students learn?" We list out the standards, the concepts, and the vocabulary. But to create truly impactful learning, we must also focus on the Why . Why do they need to learn this? What problem could they solve? What could they create? I like to think of this as the “Brownie” within the educational context. Traditional lessons often feel like we are just handing students

Student agency is defined as having the ability and the will to positively influence one’s own life and the world around them. It is the capacity to set a goal, reflect, and act responsibly to effect change. I had the honor of witnessing this firsthand with a team of six elementary school students who used Design Thinking to solve a very unique problem: a monkey in the cafeteria. The Context During the summer semester, our Director, Ms. Colley, presented a challenge. An adole

Johnny Harris is a journalist and YouTuber with over a million followers. He travels the world to capture and share compelling stories. Watching his work, I found myself asking a question: What if we could create the next generation of Johnny Harrises with a group of third graders? To explore this idea, we decided to adapt a standard social studies unit into a Project-Based Learning (PBL) experience. For those unfamiliar, PBL is an educational method where students engage in

Recently, I found myself lost in a project that was 6,167 pieces of pure joy: The Rivendell Lego set. As I assembled this feat of engineering, taking in the intricate details of the Council of Elrond, I wasn't just admiring the bricks. As a lifelong Lord of the Rings  fan—one who rewatches the trilogy and The Rings of Power  annually—I started thinking about the group that formed there. The Fellowship of the Ring was the ultimate team. They were a mix of races and backgrounds

I received an exciting invitation from my colleague Jennifer Osbourne to facilitate a Design Thinking workshop for the "Quest" program . Quest is a unique, yearlong initiative where high school students step away from traditional coursework to pursue interdisciplinary projects with professional clients. It involves internships, fieldwork, and rigorous research guided by the Quest team: Jennifer, Mare Stewart, and Tom Flanagan. For me, this was the ideal scenario to demonstra

Last year, I visited the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore with my family. Standing in front of the magnificent 35-meter indoor waterfall and walking through the cooled conservatories (kept perfectly between 23°C and 25°C), I was blown away. These aren't just tourist attractions; they are marvels of design. Horticulturalists and soil specialists utilized a deep understanding of light levels, plant physiology, and soil science to bring togethe

Most people think high tide is when the ocean comes alive. The waves are crashing, the water is high, and the energy is palpable. But recently, during a low tide walk at Changi Beach, I realized the opposite is true. When the water receded, a hidden world appeared: sea cucumbers, snail egg sacs, and complex ecosystems that are completely invisible from the boardwalk. This is exactly how Empathy works in Design Thinking. Too often, we attempt to solve problems at "high tide."

In Project-Based Learning (PBL), the beginning is everything. We don't want to just assign a project; we want to ignite a fire. This is the purpose of the Entry Event . An entry event is a learning moment at the start of a unit designed to provoke curiosity within an authentic context. The goal isn't just excitement; it is to inspire students to take action and generate the "Need to Know" questions that will drive their inquiry. I collaborated with Gillian Lait, a 1st-grade t

Why is it so critical for us to design learning experiences that mirror real-world scenarios? The answer lies in preparation. When we create authentic scenarios, we help students develop the practical skills, critical thinking abilities, and problem-solving capabilities they will actually need outside the education system. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, allowing students to see the purpose behind their work. I often think of an analogy involving two awe-inspi

It had been about three years since I last saw my mom. Because of everything that happened in the last couple of years, she hadn’t even met my youngest child yet. When she finally visited, I wanted to be intentional about how I documented the experience. I didn't just take photos; I turned to videography. For me, short films capture the essence of a moment—the emotions and depth—in a way that static images cannot. I don’t have any video footage of myself as a child; all our o

We often think of Formula 1 as just a sport, but I view it as the ultimate STEM learning experience. The real-world context is high-stakes: designing, building, and racing the fastest cars in the world for the most prestigious competition. To achieve this, teams must blend science, technology, engineering, and mathematics seamlessly. As highlighted in Animagraffs’s analysis of F1 cars, these machines are a masterclass in applying STEM concepts—from designing suspension and se

Change is formidable, especially in schools with deep heritage. Last year, I had the privilege of leading the Technology, Computer Science, and Robotics (TCR) curriculum review. Our goal? To move from our current state to an "ideal state" of high-quality STEM learning. To guide this process, I looked to IDEO  for their design thinking approach and strategy advisor Roger Martin , who defines strategy as “a set of choices that you can make today, in the face of uncertainty, in

We often talk about equipping students with 21st-century skills, yet many of our school models are still built on the architecture of the industrial era—prioritizing efficiency and batching students by "manufacturing date." Sydney Schaef, from the organization reDesign , believes there is a better way. Her work focuses on helping educators transition from these industrial roots toward "learner-centered communities." The primary tool for this shift? Design Thinking. Because th

The Day I Choked Up at Google HQ: A Real-Time Lesson on the Power of Storytelling Standing in the sleek, modern offices of Google Headquarters in Singapore, I expected to feel professional. I expected to feel prepared. What I didn’t expect was to be fighting back tears in the middle of my own presentation. I had the incredible privilege of being invited by Jim Sill to present a workshop on the power of YouTube at Google HQ. I was co-presenting with my good friend and colleagu