The initial foundational work—the philosophy, the department, the common pedagogy, and the current-state audit ( part 1 )—yielded a clear diagnosis: a multitude of complex, interconnected projects needed to be addressed across multiple grade levels. The transition from identifying  needs to executing  solutions is where many initiatives fail. This phase required not just a tool, but a strategic mindset  shift toward systems thinking, coupled with the critical infusion of exte

The shift from a good idea to a robust, functioning K-12 STEM program is not achieved through enthusiasm alone; it requires a disciplined, strategic approach built on an unshakeable foundation. We’ve all seen well-intentioned programs falter because the underlying structural components were overlooked in the race to simply “get started.” Our recent work focused on ensuring this didn't happen—we moved from a completed curriculum review to a structured implementation process ce

The Design Thinking Standards (DTS) provide educators a foundation of what students are expected to learn and do when using the design thinking method. These learning goals are guidelines that educators can use, adjust and modify to meet the needs of their students. The following standards were developed based on the  work and teachings  of the  d.school  (Institute of Design at Stanford University), a leader in design thinking education, and its  K12 Lab Network , a program

Discover how design thinking can revolutionize education in this engaging episode!  We review a groundbreaking book on implementing design thinking in the classroom, exploring how this approach fosters critical 21st-century skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.  Check out the book here: https://www.lpbeta.org/book Here is playlist that breaks down this video into three parts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYyk4fLjIwR-NuGhBk9tBzfTCvqAkvNK8 Ke

Teaching isn’t just about content — it’s about equipping young people with the confidence and habits to shape the future. In this short webinar I share what I’ve learned about teaching creative problem-solving (CPS) and design thinking is the best toolkit for CPS.I also discuss how I design learning experiences that let students practice the real work of design thinkers: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test. Why creative problem-solving matters CPS set of cognitive skil

I am 40 years old. I found out this year that I am dyslexic. For decades, I interpreted my struggles with rote memorization or fine details as simple "weaknesses." I thought I was just incapable. But that diagnosis changed everything. It didn't just explain my struggles; it highlighted my strengths. I realized my brain had made a trade-off: I might miss the minutiae, but I excel at seeing systems, patterns, and big-picture connections. I wasn't incapable. I just think differe

We used to live in a world where "high-quality" creation was gated behind expensive barriers and "expertise". If a student wanted to make a movie, they needed a budget. If they wanted to publish a book, they needed a publisher. Those gates are gone. I tested this shift in my own backyard. My kids are huge fans of the Instagram account @ jurassicbrazil , which features hyper-realistic photos of dinosaur toys. A decade ago, recreating these shots would have required Photoshop e

We often treat "creativity" and "compassion" as separate silos in education. At the Future of Learning Conference in HK, I had the privilege to present the concept of Creative Compassion. At its heart, it’s the moment where creativity meets empathy , and where our urge to make things collides with our desire to help others. What is Creative Compassion? Creative Compassion is the process where our inherent urge to innovate ( Creativity ) combines with our innate capacity for e