Learning Innovation is an initiative of the ExCITe Center and our local partners to advance creative approaches to learning by supporting a network of innovative practitioners across Philadelphia and its region. The initiative includes:

• A network in development to share knowledge about what’s working and what’s not in topics like edtech, making and STEAM. Tell us how we can amplify your efforts to advance education in Philadelphia and sign up for updates on the future of the network.
• A conversation series that connects national leaders with local educators, makers and policy advocates to exchange ideas and experiment. Read ExCITe Director Youngmoo Kim's reflection on what we've learned from the series.
• A National Study of Makerspaces that documents best practices from learning spaces across the country
• Pilot Projects hosted by ExCITe to demonstrate innovative approaches which might benefit the network

Making Culture Report

Making Culture is the first in-depth examination of K-12 education makerspaces nationwide and was created as part of the ExCITe Center's Learning Innovation initiative. This report reveals the significance of cultural aspects of making (student interests, real world relevance, and community collaboration) that enable learning. The research highlights how makerspaces foster a range of positive student learning outcomes, but also reflect some of the gaps in inclusion common in the STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math) fields.

Learning Innovation Conversation Series

John Maeda

Mimi Ito

Leah Buechley

Katrina Stevens

Chris Emdin

Melina Uncapher

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ExCITe has hosted six thought leaders in learning innovation: John Maeda, Mimi Ito, Leah Buechley, Katrina Stevensy, Chris Emdin and Melina Uncapher. Their talks advanced our understanding of how technology can be used to inspire creative approaches to learning in teachers and students and emphasized the significance of mentorship in tapping creative potential in students. Coverage of the series can be seen at WHYY.org and The Philadelphia Citizen. 

Pilot Projects

Learning Innovation includes student focused pilot projects conducted by ExCITe Center co-ops as well as experiments and improvements in the ExCITe Center's learning space. We'll plan to share more about these projects later in 2018.