Centre for Imagination Brochure

Centre for ImAginAtion a catalyst for change

2020 VISION With 160 years of distinguished history behind us, we might well be tempted to rest on our laurels! But as the great educator, John Dewey wrote, “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”

In May 2014, Woodstock’s Board of Director’s agreed to create a unique space and resources for mentored students, independent research and projects including workshops, speakers and seminars that could connect students to ideas, relevant outside research and supportive mentors, including Woodstock alumni The Centre for Imagination (CFI) transforms the way in which a Woodstock education is experienced in the 21st century - inspiring young people to discover that there is far more within them than they think, to discover their grand passion in life and to explore what it means to live from a strong sense of vocation. After all, when the imagination is set free, the horizons of possibility are infinite!

Dr Jonathan Long, Principal

CONTENTS Introductions

Pages 1- 4

What is happening already?

Pages 5 -10

What is next?

Pages 11 -16

Partnership opportunities

Page 17

Get involved

Page 18

2020 Vision The story of a young fern Why is the CFI needed?

Events Visitors

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The Story OF

A Young Fern

E

ach monsoon, our mountainside explodes with new life. Ferns spread over the forest floor like a carpet and climb up tree trunks like feathery coats.

In the ecosystems they inhabit, ferns play a key role as ecological indicators. Occupying an incredibly wide range of niches, from semi-arid deserts to deep snow, ferns are sensitive to the slightest changes, even at the microclimatic level. In the same way, the Centre for Imagination acts as an ecological indicator for education, responsive to the literal climate change we witness, as well as being responsive to the figurative climate of learning and teaching. Bringing art and science together, the universal, Fibonacci sequence that dictates a fern’s pattern of unfurling growth also exquisitely mirrors the unfurling of a young person’s imagination when offered the space to explore freely. Like ferns, young people are diverse, with a wide range of learning and life needs or niches. The Centre for Imagination offers a space for young people to make sense of the global systems they inhabit and to explore their unique place in the world.

Fittingly, we have chosen the humble, Mussoorie fern to symbolize the Centre for Imagination.

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Why IS the cfi needed?

Educators largely operate within an industrial paradigm, the very model that gave birth to the problems our children will have no choice but to navigate. They enter adulthood in an interdependent, highly connected world. Tides of seawater, human migration, and racial nationalism are on the rise, to name just a few issues. Our islands are both literally and figuratively disappearing.

Our education needs to reflect and respond to the world we now inhabit.

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The CFI’s Golden Circle is inspired by Simon SInek’s work on how leaders can inspire change (www.startwit

thwhy.com).

Why

We need to empower young people to successfully navigate the global, systemic challenges ahead.

how

By showing young people the complexity of the world they inhabit, and encouraging them to take responsibility for shaping their future.

whAt

We imagine new ways of learning.

We inspire new paths of action.

We incubate new initiatives.

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WhAt IS HAppening AlreA

5

Ady?

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WhAt IS HAppening ALREADY? The Centre for Imagination hosts a range of events that bring students and staff together in a lively atmosphere of joint exploration. Events emerge from student initiative, pressing global issues, and in alignment with the wider school’s weekly themes.

The commitments that shape the ethos of the CFI include authenticity, independent thinking, and giving young people the support and freedom to make their own, good choices. Every effort is made to preserve an atmosphere of joint exploration and experimentation.

When every week

Green Screen documentaries and movies

Attendance Woodstock staff and students from grades 9 to 12

Aligned with the school’s theme for the week, the CFI screens a documentary each week, followed by a discussion of how students can take action.

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ShAping the space

Drawing the future on the walls with students and staff helped us shape the space through our collective imagination. The CFI has five rooms: The Study: a quiet and reflective The Hub: to foster global connection; space; The Greenhouse Cafe: a perfect The Sunroom: a warm, informal combination of healthy food meeting space; and a stunning view to spark the The Studio: a collaborative space which allows students to learn and imagination. work together;

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Current AffAirS When every week Attendance all students

Discussion outside the classroom about what is happening in the world and what actions students can take.

CAreer TAlkS Professionals from different backgrounds share their journeys, giving inspiration to young people for how they can find their paths in the world.

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When every week Attendance Woodstock students from grades 9 to 12

ImAgineerS Helping our Director to design and plan the programme and strategies, already four volunteers are giving time to bring the CFI to life.

Ana Siqueira

Tara Menon

Branding, Communication, and Ecological Design Thinking consultant from Brazil.

Communication and Project Management consultant from Kenya.

Michael Martin Museum designer and Ecological Design Thinking consultant from the UK.

Amy Seefeldt Director of the Centre for Imagination.

Priya Rollins Manral Events and project management. (not pictured)

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WhAt comeS Next?

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Student InternS

A group of students have already formed a social entrepreneurs’ society called The Start Up Hub. Taking on the task of improving communication throughout the Woodstock community, they are designing an app that will also work to eliminate waste around the school.

Three students were so inspired by the idea of the CFI that they have taken on the task of creating a stop-motion animation video to capture and communicate the purpose of the CFI and share it widely.

Five student interns work with the CFI to gain real work experience in event planning, communications, project management, photography, and journalism.

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When 8th to 12th of May, 2017 Attendance Woodstock students from grades 9 to 12

FeStivAl of ideAS

Entering its fourth year, the Festival of Ideas allows students to explore a topic or question they are passionate about and do so through an interdisciplinary lens that utilises and integrates all the skills they have learned at Woodstock.

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SociAl ENTREPRENEUR EXPERIENCE

When 3rd to 7th of July, 2017 Attendance 50 youth from South and Southeast Asia

Inspired by the Design for Change model, participants will learn how to use the design thinking process to understand the world around them, develop an innovative idea, and then bring that idea into being as a sustainable reality, all in the context of cultivating a global community of change makers. The distinctive aspect of this conference will be its commitment to immersive, experiential learning as the primary mode of pedagogy.

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ViSitorS And ScholARS In order to expand the learning experience for students, the Centre for Imagination will begin hosting visitors and scholars to share their knowledge and expertise, work with students on specific projects, and inspire young people to find their own path in the world. The CFI is currently in conversation with all of the following individuals and organisations to plan an exciting year of learning for Woodstock’s students.

Visitors and organisations 2017 Student teachers, who want to volunteer with the Centre and share their expertise to empower young people.

Leapnow interns, on a gap year, looking for imaginative ways to better prepare young people for adulthood.

Richard Delacy, Harvard professor of Hindi and Urdu, interested in languages and the construction of national identities.

Varun Sheel, an engineer and physicist on the team planning India’s 2020 mission to Mars. Dr. Sheel also shares Woodstock’s interest in exploring renewable energy sources.

Albie Sachs, South African freedom fighter and judge, responsible for crafting South Africa’s admired Constitution.

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PArtnerShip opportunitieS Woodstock’s Centre for Imagination seeks individuals, organisations, and Woodstock alumni interested in growing a network full of learning, a network committed to helping young people find their place in the world of the future. The Centre is eager to partner with all of the following:

Imagineers who want to volunteer with the Centre and share their expertise to empower young people.

Peer schools looking for imaginative ways to better prepare young people for adulthood.

University initiatives related to leadership, global understanding, and shaping a sustainable future.

Non-governmental organisations dedicated to transformative learning.

Scholars looking for short sabbatical or research periods, who want to share their learning with young people.

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Social entrepreneurs who want to transform the world through working with young people, helping young people become changemakers.

Professionals in any field who want to connect with, inspire, and mentor young people who share their passions and gifts.

Donor individuals or organisations who want to provide material support for young people to discover and cultivate a real vocation - a rooted sense of direction and identity to carry into their futures.

Let’S Be SociAl If you want to be part of this initiative or to know more about what we are up to, please contact us:

Send us an e-mail: imagination@woodstockschool.in

Follow us on Instagram: cfiwoodstock

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“Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.�

Jonas Salk

(creator of the polio vaccine)

Woodstock School

Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, INDIA woodstockschool.in/imagination