iLab

Innovation and Design Lab (iLab):

Where we do our very best to be the change we wish to see ​in ourselves, our community, and the world.

What is the iLab Curriculum?

Innovation and Design Lab (referred to as "iLab") focuses on seeing the connections between one’s self, the community, and the world through the Design Thinking Process. Students use empathy to identify problems, conduct research, and develop sustainable solutions for authentic and simulated issues. iLab is a collaborative, hands-on class that emphasizes the “soft skills” of innovation and engineering by way of the 4C's: Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Communication. Ultimately, iLab is a human-centered design thinking class that helps students discover who they are as learners and how to purposefully use these skills.

Student expected outcomes:

​​"I know HOW I LEARN."

"I know HOW TO SHOW MY LEARNING AND THINKING."

I know HOW TO SOLVE AUTHENTIC PROBLEMS (in real life)."

Empowered Learners

An EMPOWERED LEARNER knows how to:

  • ​Identify and use appropriate learning-related skills; can identify their own STRENGTHS and CHALLENGES related to these skills.

  • ACCESS information, ENGAGE to make meaning of the information, and EXPRESS their learning in order to share/demonstrate learning.

  • Identify and use appropriate STRATEGIES to support learning skills.

Deep Thinkers

A DEEP THINKER effectively uses critical/ logical thinking. A DEEP THINKER knows how to:

  • Collect, assess, and analyze relevant information.

  • Reason effectively.

  • Use systems thinking.

  • Make sound judgments and decisions.

  • Identify, define, and solve authentic problems and answer essential questions.

  • ​Reflect critically on learning experiences, processes, and solutions.

Problem Solvers

A PROBLEM SOLVER uses the principles of DESIGN THINKING to develop reasonable solutions to problems. A PROBLEM SOLVER knows how to:

  • DISCOVER the importance of gaining empathy.

  • INTERPRET information that leads to defining a problem.

  • IDEATE and make connections.

  • EXPERIMENT and create prototypes.

  • USE EVOLUTION for testing and committing to the process.