Startland and Burns and McDonnell Kick Off The Early Educator Fellowship
Startland is excited to have commenced The Burns & McDonnell Early Educator Fellowship this past December – both celebrating the mid-semester point of our pilot cohort, and the start of our second cohort.
The Burns & McDonnell Early Educator Fellowship is a two-semester program focused on human-centered design thinking. Through this fellowship, educators learn how to leverage design thinking for impactful project-based learning and how to infuse problem-solving across the curriculum. The program is hands-on, built on the “flipped classroom” model and leverages a cohort model, giving teachers peer resources from across their community.
Check out some of the projects pitched from our pilot cohort below:
Mid-semester Pitches
Red Bridge Outdoor Space
Though gracious for the new gym their school was able to institute, it has now created an awkward space outside their classrooms. These four teachers are now working together with students to make the space a fun, educational hallway.
H2OH! NO!
Honing in on the clumsiness that comes with Kindergarten, Haley and Rasheedat are working with their students to create spill-proof water bottles. Follow along with their project here.
The G.O.A.T. Animal
Building on their animal biology unit, these 3rd grade teachers are implementing design thinking within the curriculum to have students conceptualize an animal that can withstand all climates and terrains.
Pollinator Sanctuary
Imagine a life without beauty. This is how these two teachers conceived the idea to create a garden sanctuary at their school to protect their local pollinators. This Spring, they’ll be working with students to fully realize the idea.
The Burns & McDonnell Early Educator Fellowship
Interested in learning more? Watch as Startland, Burns & McDonnell and some of our Fellows guide you through the experience.
The Next Phase
Make It Real
Over the course of the next semester, our pilot cohort will be implementing their pitches in real-time – leading students through the human-centered design thinking process our fellows went through their first semester. As they do that, our newest cohort will be commencing their fellowship journey.
Congratulations to all our fellows for being accepted in the Fellowship!
We’re excited to see how they continue to pursue these ideas and turn them into reality.
If you know an educator who would like to apply for a future cohort of The Burns & McDonnell Early Educator Fellowship, please visit our application page.
