The district's recent Innovation Day showcased the power of collaborative learning as students across multiple schools engaged in problem-based design activities to tackle real-world challenges. The event highlighted how innovative practices, including artificial intelligence tools, can enhance student creativity while keeping human connection and empathy at the center of learning.
Michelle Gierman, the district's AI strategist and gifted education coach/coordinator, organized the initiative by asking teachers throughout the district to unite around engaging students in meaningful problem-solving experiences. The results demonstrated both the success of this collaborative approach and the unity students felt as they considered their potential to influence the future world through innovative solutions.
Three standout presentations exemplified the day's spirit of innovation and empathy. At the high school level, Liz Warner worked with her radio and broadcasting students to address the mental health crisis facing students nationwide, starting with their own school community as the primary audience. The depth of conversation that emerged was particularly impressive, as students navigated the complex challenge of developing empathy for their peers who process information in varied and unique ways. This exploration opened new understanding about why students do or don't seek help from different sources, creating a highly productive dialogue. Liz effectively used AI tools to help plan and organize the lesson, ensuring adequate time for meaningful discussion in each segment.
At GATE, Nidhi Agarwal facilitated an innovation showcase where students presented in groups on solutions to pressing global issues including pollution and wildfires. The presentations revealed inspiring innovative ideas developed through a lens of empathy for all affected populations. Students demonstrated impressive consideration for everyone involved in their proposed solutions, using AI to further iterate and refine their creative concepts.
One middle school contribution came from Becky Spinks, who designed an engaging lesson where students created their own worlds, choosing from environments like oceans, forests, deserts, or ice worlds. Students then had to innovatively plan for sustainability within their chosen environments, with solutions including features like rain gardens. The creative student work from this activity exemplified the joyful learning taking place across the district.
The Innovation Day celebration highlighted the district's commitment to embracing available technology through tools that are safe, easily guided, and monitored. Most importantly, it demonstrated how students can be empowered to become the change they want to see in the world by focusing on empathy and human connection while leveraging the efficiency that artificial intelligence can provide. The inspiring day showcased not just technological innovation, but the fundamental human values that guide meaningful problem-solving and learning.
