About
This year, we’re focusing on three design mindsets that are important when we think about our students adapting to a rapidly changing world: “beginner’s mind,” “flexible thinking,” and “bias towards action.”
Read more about 2025's inaugural event.
Details
October 28, from 11-4:45 at the MIT Museum, 314 Main Street, Cambridge (steps from the Kendall Square stop on the Red Line)
This event is free and includes lunch and a snack, but attendance is by application to ensure a balanced mix of perspectives and subject areas.
Who should attend?
This day is for classroom teachers of all subject areas in grades 7-12 (from the humanities to STEM and beyond), OST (out of school) educators, and members of the MIT community who are interested in bringing joyful hands-on activities into their classrooms and learning spaces. No experience in design or making required!
We encourage 2-3 educators from the same school or program to apply (each teacher must submit an application).
Priority for under-resourced schools: Because this event is limited to 60 people, we're prioritizing a mix of attendees from different backgrounds and settings. We'll be giving priority to teachers in grades 7-12 who are currently serving students in under-resourced schools, including Title I campuses.
Why bring design to your classroom?
We have seen our students offloading the ability to think for themselves, and challenge themselves, in order to get a quick result. We have seen this in ourselves too. Design thinking brings the challenge, the joy, the creativity back to thinkers in an authentically collaborative way.
What will the day look like?
- Two hands-on design experiences you can adapt for your own classroom or learning environment
- Collaborative working groups focused on implementing design activities across disciplines
- Lunch and snacks with fellow participants
- A moderated conversation featuring MIT researchers on how design skills and the three mindsets we're focusing on in the day's workshops shape research and work.
PDPs
This event is eligible for Professional Development Points (PDPs) in Arts, Mathematics, and Science & Technology/Engineering (grades 7–12) when combined with additional PD hours. Please note below if you are interested in PDPs and we'll send you more info!
This event is presented by the MIT Morningside Academy for Design (MAD) and the MIT Museum, with support from the WPS Institute and the MIT pK-12 Initiative.