it was april 1964 a typical Friday morning in mrs. Wilson’s first-grade
morning in mrs. Wilson’s first-grade
morning in mrs. Wilson’s first-grade class that day I was sitting in mrs.
class that day I was sitting in mrs.
class that day I was sitting in mrs. Wilson’s bottom desk drawer this is a
Wilson’s bottom desk drawer this is a
Wilson’s bottom desk drawer this is a place where kids sit when they didn’t
place where kids sit when they didn’t
place where kids sit when they didn’t pay attention to the rules and didn’t
pay attention to the rules and didn’t
pay attention to the rules and didn’t follow directions in front of the room
follow directions in front of the room
follow directions in front of the room mrs. Wilson heard the intercom ring she
mrs. Wilson heard the intercom ring she
mrs. Wilson heard the intercom ring she picked it up she was talking to the
picked it up she was talking to the
picked it up she was talking to the principal and she got off and she turned
principal and she got off and she turned
principal and she got off and she turned to me in the back of the room and said
to me in the back of the room and said
to me in the back of the room and said mr. brand go to the principal’s office
mr. brand go to the principal’s office
mr. brand go to the principal’s office right now well I got out of my seat in
right now well I got out of my seat in
right now well I got out of my seat in her desk I walked out the door and I was
her desk I walked out the door and I was
her desk I walked out the door and I was kind of relieved I didn’t like mrs.
kind of relieved I didn’t like mrs.
kind of relieved I didn’t like mrs. Wilson she was mean she wasn’t a good
Wilson she was mean she wasn’t a good
Wilson she was mean she wasn’t a good teacher she wasn’t inspiring and as I
teacher she wasn’t inspiring and as I
teacher she wasn’t inspiring and as I walked down I noticed at the end of the
walked down I noticed at the end of the
walked down I noticed at the end of the hallway was the principal and my mom I
hallway was the principal and my mom I
hallway was the principal and my mom I thought I’m in big trouble now so when I
thought I’m in big trouble now so when I
thought I’m in big trouble now so when I got there my mom grabbed my hand and we
got there my mom grabbed my hand and we
got there my mom grabbed my hand and we walked into the out of the door and into
walked into the out of the door and into
walked into the out of the door and into our car and said to me Steven today we
our car and said to me Steven today we
our car and said to me Steven today we are going to see the world’s fair we’re
are going to see the world’s fair we’re
are going to see the world’s fair we’re going to see the future
going to see the future
going to see the future well I knew nothing about the world’s
well I knew nothing about the world’s
well I knew nothing about the world’s fair I knew a lot about the future
fair I knew a lot about the future
fair I knew a lot about the future because every day after school I watched
because every day after school I watched
because every day after school I watched the Jetsons and I learned a lot so as we
the Jetsons and I learned a lot so as we
the Jetsons and I learned a lot so as we drove 25 minutes to the parking lot of
drove 25 minutes to the parking lot of
drove 25 minutes to the parking lot of the World’s Fair we took a long journey
the World’s Fair we took a long journey
the World’s Fair we took a long journey from on the parking lot to where we got
from on the parking lot to where we got
from on the parking lot to where we got our tickets and as we were standing
our tickets and as we were standing
our tickets and as we were standing there at the front gate we looked in and
there at the front gate we looked in and
there at the front gate we looked in and we saw the iconic World’s Fair globe it
we saw the iconic World’s Fair globe it
we saw the iconic World’s Fair globe it was awesome there were thousands of
was awesome there were thousands of
was awesome there were thousands of people there were marching bands I could
people there were marching bands I could
people there were marching bands I could smell all the aromas from food from
smell all the aromas from food from
smell all the aromas from food from around the world there’s a guy in a
around the world there’s a guy in a
around the world there’s a guy in a spacesuit using a jet pack flying
spacesuit using a jet pack flying
spacesuit using a jet pack flying overhead there were buildings on the
overhead there were buildings on the
overhead there were buildings on the left all shapes and sizes there were
left all shapes and sizes there were
left all shapes and sizes there were buildings on the right funny colors and
buildings on the right funny colors and
buildings on the right funny colors and it was just unbelievable it’s just all
it was just unbelievable it’s just all
it was just unbelievable it’s just all sensory experience we went into the
sensory experience we went into the
sensory experience we went into the exhibition on the left and I got to see
exhibition on the left and I got to see
exhibition on the left and I got to see cars of the future concept cars cars it
cars of the future concept cars cars it
cars of the future concept cars cars it was sleek fast all sorts of interesting
was sleek fast all sorts of interesting
was sleek fast all sorts of interesting colors to the right we went to an
colors to the right we went to an
colors to the right we went to an exhibition we could see gadgets and
exhibition we could see gadgets and
exhibition we could see gadgets and devices and homes that we were going to
devices and homes that we were going to
devices and homes that we were going to be living in in the few
be living in in the few
be living in in the few we actually got to see and use a
we actually got to see and use a
we actually got to see and use a videophone which everybody said will
videophone which everybody said will
videophone which everybody said will never ever work being in that experience
never ever work being in that experience
never ever work being in that experience in that environment inspired me to say
in that environment inspired me to say
in that environment inspired me to say you know I want to think about the
you know I want to think about the
you know I want to think about the future always I’m gonna be thinking
future always I’m gonna be thinking
future always I’m gonna be thinking about the future how it’s gonna get
about the future how it’s gonna get
about the future how it’s gonna get there and who’s gonna create it now
there and who’s gonna create it now
there and who’s gonna create it now decades later I got my dream job I
decades later I got my dream job I
decades later I got my dream job I became the opening president of the
became the opening president of the
became the opening president of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and soon
National Inventors Hall of Fame and soon
National Inventors Hall of Fame and soon after I got there I got to meet the most
after I got there I got to meet the most
after I got there I got to meet the most interesting people I got to meet the
interesting people I got to meet the
interesting people I got to meet the inventor of sonar and MRIs and one of my
inventor of sonar and MRIs and one of my
inventor of sonar and MRIs and one of my favorites the veteran of the electric
favorites the veteran of the electric
favorites the veteran of the electric guitar Les Paul their conversations were
guitar Les Paul their conversations were
guitar Les Paul their conversations were not like ones I’d ever seen
not like ones I’d ever seen
not like ones I’d ever seen they were fascinating they talked about
they were fascinating they talked about
they were fascinating they talked about ideas that no one else talked about the
ideas that no one else talked about the
ideas that no one else talked about the fact that they were from different
fact that they were from different
fact that they were from different fields and their interactions came up
fields and their interactions came up
fields and their interactions came up with new ideas that no one has ever
with new ideas that no one has ever
with new ideas that no one has ever thought about before I asked about their
thought about before I asked about their
thought about before I asked about their childhood where they started and that
childhood where they started and that
childhood where they started and that inspired me that moment sparked my
inspired me that moment sparked my
inspired me that moment sparked my curiosity that led to hundreds of
curiosity that led to hundreds of
curiosity that led to hundreds of interviews with innovators to learn
interviews with innovators to learn
interviews with innovators to learn about their child’s in child childhood
about their child’s in child childhood
about their child’s in child childhood inspirations now most innovation
inspirations now most innovation
inspirations now most innovation researchers study how innovators
researchers study how innovators
researchers study how innovators innovate as adults I wanted to look at
innovate as adults I wanted to look at
innovate as adults I wanted to look at innovators from a wide range of field as
innovators from a wide range of field as
innovators from a wide range of field as children and come up with ways to
children and come up with ways to
children and come up with ways to inspire and develop innovators of
inspire and develop innovators of
inspire and develop innovators of tomorrow
tomorrow
tomorrow based on these inspirations I hope the
based on these inspirations I hope the
based on these inspirations I hope the following stories can provide insight
following stories can provide insight
following stories can provide insight for parents grandparents aunts uncles
for parents grandparents aunts uncles
for parents grandparents aunts uncles informal learning professionals and even
informal learning professionals and even
informal learning professionals and even teachers now when I ask innovators would
teachers now when I ask innovators would
teachers now when I ask innovators would inspire them to be who they are today
inspire them to be who they are today
inspire them to be who they are today school experience just doesn’t come up
school experience just doesn’t come up
school experience just doesn’t come up but out of school experiences come up
but out of school experiences come up
but out of school experiences come up and one of the most common things that
and one of the most common things that
and one of the most common things that came out in these conversations was that
came out in these conversations was that
came out in these conversations was that these innovators were emerged and
these innovators were emerged and
these innovators were emerged and immersed in a wide range of experiences
immersed in a wide range of experiences
immersed in a wide range of experiences that created strong memories that
that created strong memories that
that created strong memories that continue to shape who they are today now
continue to shape who they are today now
continue to shape who they are today now I got a chance to go to the World’s Fair
I got a chance to go to the World’s Fair
I got a chance to go to the World’s Fair and day-day Wilson she went to Paris
and day-day Wilson she went to Paris
and day-day Wilson she went to Paris when Danny was 5 years old her father
when Danny was 5 years old her father
when Danny was 5 years old her father wanted to take it a Paris he loved Paris
wanted to take it a Paris he loved Paris
wanted to take it a Paris he loved Paris and wanted to share with his daughter
and wanted to share with his daughter
and wanted to share with his daughter everything that Paris represented when
everything that Paris represented when
everything that Paris represented when she got there she was surrounded by the
she got there she was surrounded by the
she got there she was surrounded by the aromas and the taste of exquisite French
aromas and the taste of exquisite French
aromas and the taste of exquisite French cuisine one day
cuisine one day
cuisine one day when swimming in a pool and the fire the
when swimming in a pool and the fire the
when swimming in a pool and the fire the the waterfall was cascading over grapes
the waterfall was cascading over grapes
the waterfall was cascading over grapes and she was smelling the grapes in they
and she was smelling the grapes in they
and she was smelling the grapes in they really inspired her she became a baker
really inspired her she became a baker
really inspired her she became a baker at a very young age and she baked
at a very young age and she baked
at a very young age and she baked throughout her childhood ultimately she
throughout her childhood ultimately she
throughout her childhood ultimately she became a professional Baker a food
became a professional Baker a food
became a professional Baker a food journalist had her own TV show she’s an
journalist had her own TV show she’s an
journalist had her own TV show she’s an author of many books about food and
author of many books about food and
author of many books about food and today she’s a food entrepreneur then
today she’s a food entrepreneur then
today she’s a food entrepreneur then there was Jake Orville Jake’s father was
there was Jake Orville Jake’s father was
there was Jake Orville Jake’s father was a public defender Jake’s father said to
a public defender Jake’s father said to
a public defender Jake’s father said to him hey Jake come to work just hang out
him hey Jake come to work just hang out
him hey Jake come to work just hang out all the time just come every day he
all the time just come every day he
all the time just come every day he every day he went to the court and he
every day he went to the court and he
every day he went to the court and he hung out and was surrounded by complex
hung out and was surrounded by complex
hung out and was surrounded by complex ideas and trials he learned about you
ideas and trials he learned about you
ideas and trials he learned about you know the law how people navigated the
know the law how people navigated the
know the law how people navigated the law he watched people fail every single
law he watched people fail every single
law he watched people fail every single day he watched lawyers get their butts
day he watched lawyers get their butts
day he watched lawyers get their butts kicked
kicked
kicked he watched their clients navigate
he watched their clients navigate
he watched their clients navigate through struggling for their freedom
through struggling for their freedom
through struggling for their freedom they were sweating it was just an awful
they were sweating it was just an awful
they were sweating it was just an awful experience they were negotiating for
experience they were negotiating for
experience they were negotiating for everything and those very things that he
everything and those very things that he
everything and those very things that he learned in this real life education
learned in this real life education
learned in this real life education allowed him to be who he is today and he
allowed him to be who he is today and he
allowed him to be who he is today and he uses it every single day in his work as
uses it every single day in his work as
uses it every single day in his work as a biotech entrepreneur forest bird was
a biotech entrepreneur forest bird was
a biotech entrepreneur forest bird was another innovator as a young boy his
another innovator as a young boy his
another innovator as a young boy his father taught him how to fly a plane his
father taught him how to fly a plane his
father taught him how to fly a plane his father owned an open air biplane and
father owned an open air biplane and
father owned an open air biplane and Forrest would sit in in the his seat
Forrest would sit in in the his seat
Forrest would sit in in the his seat sitting on top of his father’s lap
sitting on top of his father’s lap
sitting on top of his father’s lap learning how to fly a plane well he did
learning how to fly a plane well he did
learning how to fly a plane well he did it he loved going up and he look going
it he loved going up and he look going
it he loved going up and he look going to the ride and going to the left and
to the ride and going to the left and
to the ride and going to the left and looking there and you know having wind
looking there and you know having wind
looking there and you know having wind go over his body and his face was just
go over his body and his face was just
go over his body and his face was just loving every minute of it and he went
loving every minute of it and he went
loving every minute of it and he went higher and higher he one day realized
higher and higher he one day realized
higher and higher he one day realized that the higher you went the harder it
that the higher you went the harder it
that the higher you went the harder it was to breathe at some point he realized
was to breathe at some point he realized
was to breathe at some point he realized I’m going to invent something that makes
I’m going to invent something that makes
I’m going to invent something that makes this better because I want to keep on
this better because I want to keep on
this better because I want to keep on going higher well he eventually invented
going higher well he eventually invented
going higher well he eventually invented the respirator and helped pilots go
the respirator and helped pilots go
the respirator and helped pilots go higher and higher and then he invented
higher and higher and then he invented
higher and higher and then he invented the ventilator and with the respirator
the ventilator and with the respirator
the ventilator and with the respirator and the ventilator he saved so many
and the ventilator he saved so many
and the ventilator he saved so many lives adults and children alike
lives adults and children alike
lives adults and children alike immersions like these with their
immersions like these with their
immersions like these with their innovators with innovators and their
innovators with innovators and their
innovators with innovators and their family mentors by them by their side
family mentors by them by their side
family mentors by them by their side uncover worlds of ideas and knowledge
uncover worlds of ideas and knowledge
uncover worlds of ideas and knowledge that allows these kids to grab onto what
that allows these kids to grab onto what
that allows these kids to grab onto what inspires them they experience things
inspires them they experience things
inspires them they experience things that no other kid
that no other kid
that no other kid experience they see things that other
experience they see things that other
experience they see things that other kids just don’t see no immersions that
kids just don’t see no immersions that
kids just don’t see no immersions that you can create don’t have to be in a
you can create don’t have to be in a
you can create don’t have to be in a plane in Paris or even in a courtroom
plane in Paris or even in a courtroom
plane in Paris or even in a courtroom you could splash around on a stream hike
you could splash around on a stream hike
you could splash around on a stream hike explore a new city or go to an immersive
explore a new city or go to an immersive
explore a new city or go to an immersive environment of Home Depot not the shop
environment of Home Depot not the shop
environment of Home Depot not the shop but they go on a hunt for shapes colors
but they go on a hunt for shapes colors
but they go on a hunt for shapes colors materials tools all sorts of things and
materials tools all sorts of things and
materials tools all sorts of things and teach them how to score deeply and
teach them how to score deeply and
teach them how to score deeply and thoughtfully look up look down look
thoughtfully look up look down look
thoughtfully look up look down look right look left hold things in your
right look left hold things in your
right look left hold things in your hands you can also immerse them in a new
hands you can also immerse them in a new
hands you can also immerse them in a new place every single month and if they
place every single month and if they
place every single month and if they like it take them back fuel their
like it take them back fuel their
like it take them back fuel their curiosity and let them build their own
curiosity and let them build their own
curiosity and let them build their own vision for the future oh the places
vision for the future oh the places
vision for the future oh the places they’ll go now how does this work in the
they’ll go now how does this work in the
they’ll go now how does this work in the classroom David Hawkins educational
classroom David Hawkins educational
classroom David Hawkins educational theorist once said think of curriculum
theorist once said think of curriculum
theorist once said think of curriculum as a way not to cover the required
as a way not to cover the required
as a way not to cover the required subjects but to uncover ways to explore
subjects but to uncover ways to explore
subjects but to uncover ways to explore make connections and create memories of
make connections and create memories of
make connections and create memories of discovery let’s talk about grades well
discovery let’s talk about grades well
discovery let’s talk about grades well as did the inventors Hall of Fame Peter
as did the inventors Hall of Fame Peter
as did the inventors Hall of Fame Peter Schultz one of the inventors in the Hall
Schultz one of the inventors in the Hall
Schultz one of the inventors in the Hall of Fame came up to meet with middle
of Fame came up to meet with middle
of Fame came up to meet with middle school kids he got up in front of them
school kids he got up in front of them
school kids he got up in front of them and said I nearly failed math in seventh
and said I nearly failed math in seventh
and said I nearly failed math in seventh grade the kids laughed the parents and
grade the kids laughed the parents and
grade the kids laughed the parents and the teachers were horrified he said soon
the teachers were horrified he said soon
the teachers were horrified he said soon after that he was in his guidance
after that he was in his guidance
after that he was in his guidance counselor’s office office well they were
counselor’s office office well they were
counselor’s office office well they were talking about Colin says you know Peter
talking about Colin says you know Peter
talking about Colin says you know Peter you’re not college material your grounds
you’re not college material your grounds
you’re not college material your grounds are lousy you should go to trade school
are lousy you should go to trade school
are lousy you should go to trade school you’d be great at that Peter left that
you’d be great at that Peter left that
you’d be great at that Peter left that office and said that’s not gonna happen
office and said that’s not gonna happen
office and said that’s not gonna happen to me I’ll have nothing of that
to me I’ll have nothing of that
to me I’ll have nothing of that ultimately he graduated with honors he
ultimately he graduated with honors he
ultimately he graduated with honors he went to college he went to graduate
went to college he went to graduate
went to college he went to graduate school and eventually became the
school and eventually became the
school and eventually became the co-inventor of fiber optics for
co-inventor of fiber optics for
co-inventor of fiber optics for communications
communications
communications then there was topper Carew a filmmaker
then there was topper Carew a filmmaker
then there was topper Carew a filmmaker architect and innovated throughout his
architect and innovated throughout his
architect and innovated throughout his life one day he was with his grandfather
life one day he was with his grandfather
life one day he was with his grandfather in a house that was filled with Popular
in a house that was filled with Popular
in a house that was filled with Popular Mechanics magazines encyclopedia and
Mechanics magazines encyclopedia and
Mechanics magazines encyclopedia and tools of all kind and he turns to his
tools of all kind and he turns to his
tools of all kind and he turns to his grandfather they said grandpa I want to
grandfather they said grandpa I want to
grandfather they said grandpa I want to buy this boat his grandfather laughed
buy this boat his grandfather laughed
buy this boat his grandfather laughed and said topper in our family we don’t
and said topper in our family we don’t
and said topper in our family we don’t buy things we make them at that point
buy things we make them at that point
buy things we make them at that point they went out they would they bought
they went out they would they bought
they went out they would they bought metal they bought new tool
metal they bought new tool
metal they bought new tool they brought all that stuff back and
they brought all that stuff back and
they brought all that stuff back and they made the boat the topper imagine
they made the boat the topper imagine
they made the boat the topper imagine that he would have you know when he went
that he would have you know when he went
that he would have you know when he went to his guidance counselor preparing to
to his guidance counselor preparing to
to his guidance counselor preparing to graduate of high school now by the way
graduate of high school now by the way
graduate of high school now by the way you know top was an amazing learner and
you know top was an amazing learner and
you know top was an amazing learner and he was amazing maker and his grandfather
he was amazing maker and his grandfather
he was amazing maker and his grandfather was a great teacher and a mentor and he
was a great teacher and a mentor and he
was a great teacher and a mentor and he was preparing to get out of high school
was preparing to get out of high school
was preparing to get out of high school and he was with his guidance counselor
and he was with his guidance counselor
and he was with his guidance counselor at his guidance counselor said hey
at his guidance counselor said hey
at his guidance counselor said hey topper you’re not college material you
topper you’re not college material you
topper you’re not college material you know you didn’t do well in school your
know you didn’t do well in school your
know you didn’t do well in school your grades were terrible he actually cut out
grades were terrible he actually cut out
grades were terrible he actually cut out of school to go to the movies you should
of school to go to the movies you should
of school to go to the movies you should probably go into the Navy and be a sheet
probably go into the Navy and be a sheet
probably go into the Navy and be a sheet metal worker you’re really good for your
metal worker you’re really good for your
metal worker you’re really good for your hands and go do that well he wanted none
hands and go do that well he wanted none
hands and go do that well he wanted none of that soon after that a new guidance
of that soon after that a new guidance
of that soon after that a new guidance counselor came into school and he said
counselor came into school and he said
counselor came into school and he said said to topper you know top of you are a
said to topper you know top of you are a
said to topper you know top of you are a lot smarter than your grades suggest I
lot smarter than your grades suggest I
lot smarter than your grades suggest I think you should go to college I’m gonna
think you should go to college I’m gonna
think you should go to college I’m gonna help you get there so the two of them
help you get there so the two of them
help you get there so the two of them met and he worked very closely with him
met and he worked very closely with him
met and he worked very closely with him and ultimately he went to Howard
and ultimately he went to Howard
and ultimately he went to Howard University Yale University and today as
University Yale University and today as
University Yale University and today as a research fellow at MIT and being a
a research fellow at MIT and being a
a research fellow at MIT and being a groundbreaking innovator disruptive
groundbreaking innovator disruptive
groundbreaking innovator disruptive innovator is less about mastering
innovator is less about mastering
innovator is less about mastering knowledge and much more about mastering
knowledge and much more about mastering
knowledge and much more about mastering the unknown
the unknown
the unknown let’s thinking about Peter and topper
let’s thinking about Peter and topper
let’s thinking about Peter and topper and I said maybe we should change
and I said maybe we should change
and I said maybe we should change examinations into imaginations so think
examinations into imaginations so think
examinations into imaginations so think about this your daughter comes home you
about this your daughter comes home you
about this your daughter comes home you say hey Susie
say hey Susie
say hey Susie how’s your imagination today instead of
how’s your imagination today instead of
how’s your imagination today instead of saying Susie how did you do on that
saying Susie how did you do on that
saying Susie how did you do on that physics exam now if we asked children
physics exam now if we asked children
physics exam now if we asked children what was and what is we never get the
what was and what is we never get the
what was and what is we never get the opportunity for them to imagine what
opportunity for them to imagine what
opportunity for them to imagine what could be now as I developed dozens of
could be now as I developed dozens of
could be now as I developed dozens of programs reaching thousands of children
programs reaching thousands of children
programs reaching thousands of children asking them to design products in the
asking them to design products in the
asking them to design products in the future I asked them to imagine what
future I asked them to imagine what
future I asked them to imagine what could be versus what is and what was now
could be versus what is and what was now
could be versus what is and what was now after this happened over and over again
after this happened over and over again
after this happened over and over again I learned two things the first thing is
I learned two things the first thing is
I learned two things the first thing is when you ask them what could be what was
when you ask them what could be what was
when you ask them what could be what was and what is always emerges to explain
and what is always emerges to explain
and what is always emerges to explain how they got to what could be and more
how they got to what could be and more
how they got to what could be and more importantly we noticed that those kids
importantly we noticed that those kids
importantly we noticed that those kids who could imagine what could be we’re
who could imagine what could be we’re
who could imagine what could be we’re not really good students they were
not really good students they were
not really good students they were fidgety they were bored they didn’t get
fidgety they were bored they didn’t get
fidgety they were bored they didn’t get good grades they weren’t in Honor
good grades they weren’t in Honor
good grades they weren’t in Honor Society but that experience allowed me
Society but that experience allowed me
Society but that experience allowed me to talk about those kids and experience
to talk about those kids and experience
to talk about those kids and experience understand them that that experience
understand them that that experience
understand them that that experience inspired them and the grades were not
inspired them and the grades were not
inspired them and the grades were not that important
that important
that important now one more thing that came up for me
now one more thing that came up for me
now one more thing that came up for me was the one piece that really
was the one piece that really
was the one piece that really differentiated them from others is that
differentiated them from others is that
differentiated them from others is that they took ownership of their own
they took ownership of their own
they took ownership of their own learning and the big difference between
learning and the big difference between
learning and the big difference between taking ownership and becoming an
taking ownership and becoming an
taking ownership and becoming an innovator was not about that but it’s
innovator was not about that but it’s
innovator was not about that but it’s about what their parents do and the
about what their parents do and the
about what their parents do and the adults in their life do whose have them
adults in their life do whose have them
adults in their life do whose have them do things and take control to do things
do things and take control to do things
do things and take control to do things that they don’t want them to do but that
that they don’t want them to do but that
that they don’t want them to do but that the kid wants to do this movement from
the kid wants to do this movement from
the kid wants to do this movement from adult centered learning to kid centered
adult centered learning to kid centered
adult centered learning to kid centered learning which is the key to all of this
learning which is the key to all of this
learning which is the key to all of this and supporting that was that your
and supporting that was that your
and supporting that was that your response to it and how you respond to
response to it and how you respond to
response to it and how you respond to those personal passion and drive in
those personal passion and drive in
those personal passion and drive in their own learning
their own learning
their own learning I met Deb mill Schofield that was an
I met Deb mill Schofield that was an
I met Deb mill Schofield that was an internet innovator from Bell Labs
internet innovator from Bell Labs
internet innovator from Bell Labs she lived in a house that was filled
she lived in a house that was filled
she lived in a house that was filled with music and art and science and all
with music and art and science and all
with music and art and science and all things coming together and they were
things coming together and they were
things coming together and they were lucky they lived near New York and on
lucky they lived near New York and on
lucky they lived near New York and on Tuesdays it was free museums day in New
Tuesdays it was free museums day in New
Tuesdays it was free museums day in New York so Deb’s mom would take her out of
York so Deb’s mom would take her out of
York so Deb’s mom would take her out of school and take her to museums every
school and take her to museums every
school and take her to museums every week to a different museum her favorite
week to a different museum her favorite
week to a different museum her favorite was the Guggenheim so she would go to
was the Guggenheim so she would go to
was the Guggenheim so she would go to the Guggenheim and instead of looking at
the Guggenheim and instead of looking at
the Guggenheim and instead of looking at the labels that most people spend more
the labels that most people spend more
the labels that most people spend more time than they do in the paintings they
time than they do in the paintings they
time than they do in the paintings they spent times in those paintings her
spent times in those paintings her
spent times in those paintings her mother asked her how to ask questions
mother asked her how to ask questions
mother asked her how to ask questions how to observe differently how to
how to observe differently how to
how to observe differently how to observe light color perspective and
observe light color perspective and
observe light color perspective and unique brushstrokes one day after this
unique brushstrokes one day after this
unique brushstrokes one day after this happened for a long time her mother
happened for a long time her mother
happened for a long time her mother turned to and said hey dad go on your
turned to and said hey dad go on your
turned to and said hey dad go on your own you’re smart enough you know how to
own you’re smart enough you know how to
own you’re smart enough you know how to explore you know to ask questions take
explore you know to ask questions take
explore you know to ask questions take off from school and go to museums each
off from school and go to museums each
off from school and go to museums each week that Deb did that and she loved it
week that Deb did that and she loved it
week that Deb did that and she loved it and she thrived but she was a very deep
and she thrived but she was a very deep
and she thrived but she was a very deep thinker and after the artwork she went
thinker and after the artwork she went
thinker and after the artwork she went to philosophy and esoteric French
to philosophy and esoteric French
to philosophy and esoteric French playwrights today she is at Brown
playwrights today she is at Brown
playwrights today she is at Brown helping entrepreneurs artists engineers
helping entrepreneurs artists engineers
helping entrepreneurs artists engineers and everybody across the campus to
and everybody across the campus to
and everybody across the campus to figure out ways that they can imagine
figure out ways that they can imagine
figure out ways that they can imagine the future and make it happen
the future and make it happen
the future and make it happen Dave der Lac who’s an art technologist
Dave der Lac who’s an art technologist
Dave der Lac who’s an art technologist and entrepreneur was going to school
and entrepreneur was going to school
and entrepreneur was going to school that closed unexpectedly his mom instead
that closed unexpectedly his mom instead
that closed unexpectedly his mom instead of saying we’ll find another school for
of saying we’ll find another school for
of saying we’ll find another school for you said you know David you’re really
you said you know David you’re really
you said you know David you’re really smart you can explore on your own why
smart you can explore on your own why
smart you can explore on your own why don’t you just educate yourself so David
don’t you just educate yourself so David
don’t you just educate yourself so David went home and created a laboratory
went home and created a laboratory
went home and created a laboratory classroom in his basement and did all
classroom in his basement and did all
classroom in his basement and did all sorts of stuff too
sorts of stuff too
sorts of stuff too chuckles and put them together and
chuckles and put them together and
chuckles and put them together and created all sorts of stuff test the
created all sorts of stuff test the
created all sorts of stuff test the theories he was doing great and he loved
theories he was doing great and he loved
theories he was doing great and he loved every minute and when I asked him tell
every minute and when I asked him tell
every minute and when I asked him tell me about that ownership of the learning
me about that ownership of the learning
me about that ownership of the learning that you took on at that point David
that you took on at that point David
that you took on at that point David said to me you know Stephen the most
said to me you know Stephen the most
said to me you know Stephen the most important thing when you want to learn
important thing when you want to learn
important thing when you want to learn deeply it takes and imagine an emotional
deeply it takes and imagine an emotional
deeply it takes and imagine an emotional connection to that learning that he
connection to that learning that he
connection to that learning that he calls staggering it’s not about the
calls staggering it’s not about the
calls staggering it’s not about the cognitive and the knowledge it’s about
cognitive and the knowledge it’s about
cognitive and the knowledge it’s about the emotional connection that he took
the emotional connection that he took
the emotional connection that he took that allowed him to really understand
that allowed him to really understand
that allowed him to really understand and take that responsibility of learning
and take that responsibility of learning
and take that responsibility of learning on his own and not waiting for someone
on his own and not waiting for someone
on his own and not waiting for someone to teach him how to do it now when they
to teach him how to do it now when they
to teach him how to do it now when they begin um I have a bunch of thoughts
begin um I have a bunch of thoughts
begin um I have a bunch of thoughts about that
about that
about that they’re taking that ownership and when
they’re taking that ownership and when
they’re taking that ownership and when they begin to own their own learning be
they begin to own their own learning be
they begin to own their own learning be careful because if you redirect them to
careful because if you redirect them to
careful because if you redirect them to what you think is a better activity to
what you think is a better activity to
what you think is a better activity to explore you could lead them to living
explore you could lead them to living
explore you could lead them to living your vision and not theirs respect where
your vision and not theirs respect where
your vision and not theirs respect where their passion takes them and if you shut
their passion takes them and if you shut
their passion takes them and if you shut them down
them down
them down you will kill their spirit now taking
you will kill their spirit now taking
you will kill their spirit now taking ownership unlocks a life of curiosity
ownership unlocks a life of curiosity
ownership unlocks a life of curiosity making connections that others don’t
making connections that others don’t
making connections that others don’t make and inspiring them that is embrace
make and inspiring them that is embrace
make and inspiring them that is embrace is the responsibility of solving today’s
is the responsibility of solving today’s
is the responsibility of solving today’s and tomorrow’s problems an IBM study
and tomorrow’s problems an IBM study
and tomorrow’s problems an IBM study when corporate CEOs are asked what they
when corporate CEOs are asked what they
when corporate CEOs are asked what they want from the young employees that they
want from the young employees that they
want from the young employees that they they have one of the top answers is
they have one of the top answers is
they have one of the top answers is around having employees who are curious
around having employees who are curious
around having employees who are curious and could solve problems something that
and could solve problems something that
and could solve problems something that seems to be missing from those that they
seems to be missing from those that they
seems to be missing from those that they inherit from today’s schools now as I
inherit from today’s schools now as I
inherit from today’s schools now as I went on and asked many more innovators
went on and asked many more innovators
went on and asked many more innovators their stories a lot of common things
their stories a lot of common things
their stories a lot of common things that came about these young innovators
that came about these young innovators
that came about these young innovators thrive solving real-world problems they
thrive solving real-world problems they
thrive solving real-world problems they surrounded themselves with stuff in
surrounded themselves with stuff in
surrounded themselves with stuff in their rooms and in their basements that
their rooms and in their basements that
their rooms and in their basements that fuels their passion and curiosity they
fuels their passion and curiosity they
fuels their passion and curiosity they are resilient even when they fail over
are resilient even when they fail over
are resilient even when they fail over and over and over again they were given
and over and over again they were given
and over and over again they were given real responsibility and we’re trusted
real responsibility and we’re trusted
real responsibility and we’re trusted they see things that other kids don’t
they see things that other kids don’t
they see things that other kids don’t see they make connections that other
see they make connections that other
see they make connections that other kids don’t make their grades were not
kids don’t make their grades were not
kids don’t make their grades were not important to them they just wanted to
important to them they just wanted to
important to them they just wanted to learn and explore now many of them were
learn and explore now many of them were
learn and explore now many of them were homeschooled officially or in their
homeschooled officially or in their
homeschooled officially or in their extra time after school for them it’s
extra time after school for them it’s
extra time after school for them it’s about crafting and owning their own
about crafting and owning their own
about crafting and owning their own learning experiences these young
learning experiences these young
learning experiences these young innovators find their own mentors in
innovators find their own mentors in
innovators find their own mentors in parents grandparents uncles aunts
parents grandparents uncles aunts
parents grandparents uncles aunts friends of the family and even teachers
friends of the family and even teachers
friends of the family and even teachers one that support their differences and
one that support their differences and
one that support their differences and not
not
not to try to coach them into being
to try to coach them into being
to try to coach them into being something they are just not now what is
something they are just not now what is
something they are just not now what is a parent and a teacher to do give these
a parent and a teacher to do give these
a parent and a teacher to do give these kids a time responsibility and
kids a time responsibility and
kids a time responsibility and permission to explore without expected
permission to explore without expected
permission to explore without expected outcomes trust them to explore even if
outcomes trust them to explore even if
outcomes trust them to explore even if you have no idea what they’re talking
you have no idea what they’re talking
you have no idea what they’re talking about provide unwavering support to
about provide unwavering support to
about provide unwavering support to explore on their own terms but give them
explore on their own terms but give them
explore on their own terms but give them the tools to be safe and used values
the tools to be safe and used values
the tools to be safe and used values don’t force them to always clean up
don’t force them to always clean up
don’t force them to always clean up their explorations because you never
their explorations because you never
their explorations because you never know what groundbreaking ideas are in
know what groundbreaking ideas are in
know what groundbreaking ideas are in the works and need more time to
the works and need more time to
the works and need more time to percolate I got four takeaways one
percolate I got four takeaways one
percolate I got four takeaways one immerse them in places that inspire them
immerse them in places that inspire them
immerse them in places that inspire them to don’t let grades or other definition
to don’t let grades or other definition
to don’t let grades or other definition of success define who they are and where
of success define who they are and where
of success define who they are and where they’re going allow them to take
they’re going allow them to take
they’re going allow them to take responsibility for their own learning
responsibility for their own learning
responsibility for their own learning and explorations and for most
and explorations and for most
and explorations and for most importantly don’t put them in mrs.
importantly don’t put them in mrs.
importantly don’t put them in mrs. Wilson’s bottom desk drawer because they
Wilson’s bottom desk drawer because they
Wilson’s bottom desk drawer because they didn’t follow directions
didn’t follow directions
didn’t follow directions that’s the innovators journey thank you
”
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