Theme: “Wonder Together”
The 2017 iiE Gathering in Ann Arbor took place June 25-27, with a theme of “Wonder Together.” We shared the space with the Reggio Emilia exhibit “The Wonder of Learning — The Hundred Languages of Children,” and the North American Reggio Alliance’s summer conference, “Early Childhood Education as Activism,” took place just before the Gathering.
We began to “Wonder Together” before the Gathering by reading Kieran Egan’s chapter in the book Wonder-Full Education: The Centrality of Wonder in Teaching and Learning Across the Curriculum.
During the Gathering we enjoyed an incredible line-up of workshops, presenters, and projects, an opening keynote StorySlam and a full day of design thinking for project work.
Our schedule unfolded over three days and included the following events:
Sunday, June 25: Professional Development Workshops
Professional development workshops by leading edge educators.Location: Duderstadt Center, University of Michigan North Campus
| 12:00 | Registration (Duderstadt Center atrium) |
| 1:00 to 3:00 | Workshops: Block I Workshop Descriptions |
| 3:00 to 3:30 | Break |
| 3:30 to 5:30 | Workshops: Block II Workshop Descriptions |
Monday, June 26: Public Symposium
Public symposium and un-conference featuring a unique mix of P-12, higher education, non-profit, and private sector participants. A great chance to find out about emerging innovative projects and meet potential collaborators and fellow travelers.Location: Johnson Rooms (Lurie Engineering Center, 3rd Floor) and Duderstadt Center, University of Michigan North Campus
| 9:00 to 9:30 | Check-in and Registration (Johnson Rooms, Lurie Engineering Center, 3rd Floor) |
| 9:30 to 10:30 | Story Slam Opening Keynote Session |
| 10:30 to 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 to 11:45 | Mystery Activity |
| 11:45 to 12:00 | Un-conference Announcements and Instructions |
| 12:00 to 12:15 | Un-conference Session Creation and Sign-Up |
| 12:15 to 1:15 | Lunch |
| 1:15 to 2:15 | Project Showcase |
| 2:15 to 2:30 | Break |
| 2:30 to 3:15 | Un-conference Session I |
| 3:15 to 3:30 | Break |
| 3:30 to 4:15 | Un-conference Session II |
| 4:15 to 4:30 | Break |
| 4:30 to 5:00 | Wrap Up – Symposium Synthesis |
| Evening | Informal social hour/dinner TBA |
Tuesday, June 27: Design Thinking and the Design Mindset for Project Work
Project team work day featuring lots of opportunities for feedback, sharing, and networking. The iiE Team will lead sessions on using design thinking that allow you to explore and use our Design Mindset CARDS to inform your work during the day. Come with your project team, help a team brainstorm and plan, or form a new team with other Gathering participants!Slide deck with resources for the day
Project Descriptions | Project List Google Doc
Location: Duderstadt Center
| 9:00 to 9:30 | Check-in and Registration (Duderstadt Center atrium) |
| 9:30 to 10:30 | Inspiration and Orientation |
| 10:30 to 11:00 | Key Principles: Discover, Frame, Imagine |
| 11:00 to 12:30 | Project Time: Work Session and Mentoring |
| 12:30 to 1:30 | Lunch |
| 1:30 to 2:00 | Key Principles: Prototype, Engage, Reflect |
| 2:00 to 4:00 | Project Time: Work Session and Mentoring |
| 4:00 to 4:30 | Wrap Up/Reporting |
| Evening | Informal social hour/dinner TBA |