Innovative Learning Lab

Unleash Curiosity

A space where children create, innovate and solve real world problems

Children are change makers, we just need to give them their space to make a difference.

Our
Story

We want to build student agency! Why?

Currently there is an over-emphasis on teachers leading the curriculum and syllabus which removes the chances of children on a day-to-day basis to think independently. The ones who follow orders in this school system are rewarded. But once these children graduate, the only way to excel is to be able to think independently and creatively. With current world events and AI coming into the picture, we know that we now no longer need a workforce that simply knows how to take orders but instead we need people that are comfortable innovating, dealing with roadblocks and challenges; in other words a group of individuals who know how to push the boundaries of what already exists in our world.

What?

Student agency is the need of the hour

In-school programme

This space is created within schools as we want teachers as well as students to build a maker-mindset. It is important that children feel empowered within an already existing space that they spend most of their time in. This allows them to see learning and creating as a whole and as a part of life.

No instructions

Once they understand the problem, they can use the materials from the space to come up with their solutions. An integral part of this is to build a mindset in children that they can create and solve problems. Thus it is crucial that the teacher is this space is just a facilitator, helping when needed but not giving any formal instructions to the students. It needs to be student-driven and student-led.

Monthly problem statement

Children are presented with problem statements every month. These problems arise from discussions and brainstorming sessions so that it can contextual. Here is an example of a problem: Most space is designed in a way that is not accessible for people with a disability, how can we design space more consciously?

Integrated with the curriculum

We make sure to include strands from the syllabus that children are already following so that they can see this space as an extension of their learning. And as an effect, this space makes their learning more rich and multi-dimensional. For example, while working with waste material, children built a puppet show to make their lesson on Onake Obavva more interesting!