STLinSTL 2018

We are reimagining current educational practice by implementing human centered design in our teaching and learning environment. Simply put, human centered design is, “the belief that all problems, even the seemingly intractable ones like poverty, gender, equality, and clean water, are solvable.” (IDEO.ORG, p. 9). We believe that having students engage in standards through the lens of human centered design will empower them and equip them with the tools necessary to not only be successful in the global world in which we live, but to make it a better place for others. We have designed a system in which students are allowed intentional opportunities to take care of their own social/emotional need and we value curiosity and imagination as an integral part of our personalized learning program. Students are offered experiential opportunities to engage in and explore those wonderings. Our students are problem finders and problem solvers. Our students are empathic explorers, thinkers and doers. Our students are changing the world.