Innovators Studio Reflection #3I started my Futures Lab experience in august of 2020. The virtual year, I started out not really knowing what was going on. 2020 school year started out pretty weird. There were online meetings and classes that I had to balance with homework and personal time. That was difficult, however after a little while I got used to it. Not only did I get used to it but I actually preferred it over regular school. I found a way to manage my time, make quality work and have more time for myself. What fueled this realization was my mindset that I developed from my design thinking class at Futures Lab. I really liked this class, I put a lot of effort into my work, not only to meet the expectations but also to make it into something that I would be proud of.
Around the time this class was ending, I got a message from Kelly Williams, my design teacher at futures lab, she had asked me to check my email as there was something she was creating that she wanted me to be a part of. After reading the email I learned that this was an awesome opportunity. Innovators Studio is what it was called. Innovators studio was a course Kelly had created, however unlike any other course at futures lab this one wasn't offered. This was a course that was only offered to myself and a few other well performing students at futures lab. Having never been offered something like this I took it! I knew It could be a challenge to balance around some of my other work but that didn't bother me. I have been in innovators studio with three other students since the start of January. I really like this course, The four of us and Kelly are currently working with the principal at Bamford Elementary Alissa Poduska. Bamford hasn't been built yet and we are currently helping find awesome hands on equipment for both the S.T.E.M. room and their Production room. We have visited the school and got a tour from both Ms. Poduska and the construction manager. At the moment we have been meeting with others who have functioning hands on dedicated work rooms for their students. I think being part of this course has shown all of the skills we have to choose from. Civic/Interpersonal skills Is a big skill that we all need to have to be successful in this team. We are always talking together and working out ways to make our ideas come to life. We also need to communicate well with each other that way we each are informed on what is going on. Personal skills, entrepreneurial skills and professional skills are also really big. Personal skills are extremely important being part of a team requires personal responsibility, initiative and flexibility. If I didn't use these skills on my own time then that can hurt my team in the long run. Bringing our own work to the table makes us successful. Entrepreneurial skills is huge for us too, our whole equipment project at Bamford elementary is based around problem solving as well as being creative and bringing innovative ideas to the table. If we didn't come up with creative equipment ideas to have for the future students we wouldn't be working with them still. Some elements of professional skills are also incorporated in our project such as being leader or time management as well as self advocacy. These are all huge, time management is definitely a big thing for each of us. We usually will come up with a time that works for everyone to check in after completing our work individually. |