Innovation Learning Pathways
(Ages 13 and older)Program overview
Our Innovation Learning Pathways (ILP) program is designed for motivated students that seek an opportunity to explore advanced STEM concepts while advancing the ability to formulate and defend their own ideas to our most challenging problems. By supporting these individuals with the proper community and mentoring, our goal is to help them nurture their potential for innovation and personal development.
Critical Thinking
Exposure to topics and scientific research explored through Socratic discussions
Creativity
Problem solving and experimental design exercises
Communication
All participants write position papers and prepare a final presentation
Collaboration
Group exercises and peer feedback on individual assignments and presentations
The program is offered over 12 weeks during the semester where students meet every Monday with peers and a facilitator for two hours. The weekly session agendas vary, but will typically revolve around discussing and critiquing ideas from readings or student assignments. In addition to the sessions, students will have weekly assignments that may consist of (depending upon the week):
- Reading a book chapter or set of articles and preparing notes / ideas for discussion
- Idea and argument development related research
- Writing / Drafting position papers (each student will write two papers per semester including one individual and one group paper)
- Writing / Drafting presentations (each student will develop a final presentation either individually or with a partner)
- Conducting peer review of deliverables from other students
At the end of each semester, facilitators may select exemplary student work to be showcased on our website and other channels as a benefit for our students.
Eligibility and Guidelines
Location - World
The ILP program is delivered through virtual interactions (video conferences, online chat, etc.), so any student that can attend the designated meeting times is eligible to participate.
Ages 13 and older
Applicants should, in general, be at least 13 years old for the program. Younger students may be considered for exceptional cases.
Computer and Internet
Students will require access to a computer with a video camera and Internet connectivity to attend virtual sessions and work on assignments.
Attendance policy
Students must plan to attend all 12 sessions. Accepted participants that miss more than one session may be dismissed without refund at the discretion of program facilitators.
Participation policy
Given our emphasis on discussion to help critique and refine ideas, it is imperative that all students arrive to sessions ready to participate and without distractions. Students with consistently poor participation levels may be dismissed without refund at the discretion of program facilitators.
Big Ideas for Big Thinkers
Our Innovation Learning Pathways (ILP) program strives to provide a forum where students 1) creatively apply their existing knowledge and 2) identify new individualized learning goals through an inquiry-driven process that directs them to think about the “big” problems they’ll be working to solve in their future. The benefit of this approach is that it allows students to see the forest for the trees and obtain clarity around how potential STEM career directions intersect with what problems they’ll choose to engage and why that’s relevant to them personally. By meeting them at this intersection of “how”, “what”, and “why”, we hope to develop a long-lasting foundation that students can build upon for years to come.
While each semester will focus on a defined topic area for exploration, in general our selected topics, readings, and vectors of inquiry will touch on one or more of four key themes:
Where we live
Ecology and sustainability on Earth and beyond
Who we are
The engineered human (artificial intelligence and biotechnology)
How we interconnect
Neuro-(science / biology / psychology) and evolutionary biology as it applies to human collaboration
What our reality entails
Space, time, and scientific skepticism at large
Fall 2019: Scalable and Sustainable Energy
Description
Energy underpins every aspect of our modern world. Whether it’s how we travel using vehicles and airplanes, or the infrastructure required for the technologies we use everyday, it’s imperative that we understand key trends around our energy needs and what it means to scale our contemporary lifestyles. We’ll explore this topic through a variety of sources, and students will develop and defend their own positions on group-selected questions during the course of the semester.
Book
Every semester we’ll identify a topically aligned book for a subset of our reading assignments. While the prescribed assignments will only cover selected chapters, students will receive a copy and are encouraged to complete the book in its entirety. This fall we’ll review selected chapters of Scale: The Universal Laws of Growth, Innovation, Sustainability, and the Pace of Life in Organisms, Cities, Economies, and Companies.
Expected Areas of Exploration
- Energy scalability versus economic growth
- Energy distribution, resilience, and equity
- Green energy: Supply expansion versus replacing legacy
- Energy demand and Jevons paradox
- The role of fossil fuels in industrialization and growth
Key Dates and Costs
- Program session dates: Every Monday evening 7pm-9pm (US Central Time) from September 9th (first session) to December 2 (last session) (Note: we will not meet on November 25th due to Thanksgiving Holiday)
- Applications open: July 1st
- Application deadline: August 30th
- Program cost: $450 / student (partial scholarships available based on financial need)
Application Process
The ILP application consists of three steps: 1) Completing an online application form; 2) Submitting a writing assignment based upon a provided prompt; 3) Attending an interview where applicants will defend the ideas submitted in their writing submission. The interview will also provide an opportunity for applicants to ask any specific questions they may have about the program. Students should note that the application deadline includes completing all three items and should plan accordingly.
Step 1
Submit basic application form
Step 2
Complete writing assignment emailed to you after your application form is received
Step 3
Attend interview session over video conference
Begin the first step of your application today
Remember: Plan to begin your application in time to complete the entire process by the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to purchase any specific materials or textbooks?
No. Any additional materials including the selected book are included in the program fee and will be mailed to you.
What kind of time commitment does the ILP program require?
This is always a difficult question to answer, particularly since in our experience a student’s productivity is only loosely correlated to time. As a rough guideline, you should plan to spend (on average) 4-5 hours per week in addition to the weekly 2 hour session on assignments and research. In general, if the program topic and approach don’t sound interesting enough to be a priority in your schedule, this may not be a good fit for you.
Will I be working on assignments alone or in a group?
You will work on at least one assignment individually and one in a group, though in general you can expect to interact with your peers consistently throughout the semester (see our note on participation policy)
I’m not a strong writer or communicator, so is this program for me?
Yes. In fact, if you’re someone that thinks of themselves as being strong in math or science but weak as a communicator, the ILP program is designed to help you grow your skills so that you’re better equipped to advocate for your ideas today and in the future.
I’m not 13 yet, but I’m very interested in the ILP program. Can I still apply?
Ages are simply a pragmatic shortcut to signal an expectation for students and parents. The fact is there are some 14 year olds that may not be ready for our program and some 12 year olds that would excel. If our program speaks to you and you can contribute to the group, we’d love to review your application materials and speak with you!
