AEIOU is a simple and efficient observation protocol that helps people slow down and look carefully at an image, scenario or event with intention and focus. Easy to remember, people can work their way through a structured review and capture their findings for further analysis and eventual decision-making or action.  The protocol works well for reviewing what has occurred or to think forward to how to design an experience or event that can meet one’s needs or goals.  In this session, we’ll focus on the protocol itself, engage in a participatory activity to see how it can work and introduce multiple ways to incorporate it into analytical or planning work

How can we activate the students’ inherent talents and interests to achieve the goals they choose? This session will provide a high level overview of deeper learning, and the three components of a powerful approach to deeper learning that creates an environment where young people can prepare to live confidently and securely, thrive in our society, and give back to their community.

Mini-lessons, design challenges and more to support K-12 educators' implementation of Design Thinking practices.

Empathy maps are a valuable design thinking classroom tool. Empathy maps help us gather, organize and analyze information. Teachers who have a strong understanding of their students can connect with them more effectively and better meet their learning, social and emotional needs. Empathy maps are powerful learning tools to analyze information about fictional, historical or contemporary people. In this session, you’ll see how empathy maps can be used to support student growth and learning in your school or classroom.

Journey maps, a design thinking best practices tool, is a terrific way to develop critical thinking skills in K-12 students. Teaching empathy through storytelling will help students understand their user’s needs. This design thinking teaching strategy can be used in face-to-face and virtual classrooms. In this session, teachers will learn the basics of journey maps and how to use this teaching resource in their classroom.

How do teachers build students who are confident enough to “change the world?” Student capacity that drives change requires an Orientation of Innovation. The five components -- Knowledge of the World, Awareness of Self, Creative Confidence, Commitment to Act, and Focus on the Future -- provide an essential framework for connecting and creating a 21st century graduate who will be prepared to live and thrive in our ever-changing world. This session will lay out each component in succession and discuss how they work together as an overall set of learning outcomes.