72
edits
Changes
no edit summary
= Strategy #1: Developing a Culture of Creativity =
== Hristina Milojevic, Sean Farrell - Tactic #1: A Maker Space == Following the UIF Meetup and the incredible experiences at Stanford's Design School, I (Hristina) have been buzzing about the overwhelming importance of setting up a maker space on Union's campus. And what's even better, everyone who has heard this, has agreed with a resounding 'YES!' One important thing to consider is the background idea that will be specific to Union's maker space. It is apparent that everyone gets excited at the mention of white boards, white table surfaces, blank studios, post-its, prototyping supplies, and good coffee. The challenge comes with ensuring that this space will live up to its full potential, which means that it will truly bring together students from all disciplines, and foster conversation and collaboration between STEM students and humanists, artists and social scientists.
The Robotics Lab at Union College currently contains a 3D printer and blank vertical surfaces, and is considered the grounds for forming a maker space on campus. The only issue is that its core idea is robotic design and computing, which although wonderful, should not be the core of the campus-wide maker space. With this in mind, I will begin the campus-wide initiative: '''U-CREATE'''. This will be a campus-wide initiative for students to get involved in hands-on projects, workshops, as well as rapid prototyping and ideation sessions as a prelude into designing and pitching the idea for the maker space to committes and departments with funding.
==== Update (1/15) ====
Hristina has worked diligently on finding a viable location for the makerspace, as well as searching for the best aesthetic and educational options for the space. Her idea has resonated with all who have heard of the idea. Sean has joined Hristina on this mission, and together, they are both working toward a successful launch of Union College's first MakerSpace, dedicated to enhancing the virtues of collaboration and innovative thought.
''Target date for U-CREATE formation: June 1, 2014''
''Target date for maker space set-up: June 1, 2015''
== Hristina Milojevic, Sean Farrell - Tactic #2: Creativity Curriculum ==
There are numerous possibilities for integrating creativity into the class curriculum at Union. One should use Google's 20% model. Union College requires that each student, regardless of their major, completes General Education Requirements, among which the First Year Preceptorial (writing class) and Sophomore Research Seminar seem to particularly fit the 20% model. The idea is to provide no constraints on what students do with 20% of their class work, yet require a project execution or presentation upon completion of the particular project students seem passionate about. It would also not be graded, and would simply count towards or against participation in class, i.e. ambitious students would have to complete it in order to perform well in the class, but they would have a chance to set off on a journey of academic, personal, or professional exploration as they go along.