11600 Gayton Road ✥ Richmond, Virginia 23238 ✥ 804-740-3394 ✥ www.stewardschool.org
(Oecd, 2009)
the 2013 “ge global innovation barometer” surveyed more than 3000 executives in 25 countries.
88%
innovation today
“ Innovation is broadly recognized as the fundamental source of a nation’s growth and prosperity.”
88% report innovation is a strategic priority for their business. the majority of respondents would like student curricula to be better aligned with the needs of businesses.
OECD: Organization for economic cooperation and development
in response to the changing needs in the work force and with a steadfast vision, the steward school is
steward’s vision
pioneering a unique learning facility and curriculum not yet seen in virginia.
the individual We teach students to take responsibility for themselves first, so that they will have a strong foundation from which to grow.
systems To gain perspective, we help students understand the way our society has been shaped and their roles within it.
communities By focusing on interdependence, limits, and balance, we help students find solutions while working together.
and hands-on approach, the Bryan Innovation Lab upholds this philosophy for all Steward students, JK-12.
steward’s philosophy
The Bryan Innovation Lab is inspiring a new generation of innovators by placing emphasis on Steward’s value of self-discovery.
As our name implies, The Steward School strives to develop each and every one of our students into good stewards of themselves, our community, and the world. With an interdisciplinary
the bryan InnovatIon lab blends Indoor and outdoor flexIble spaces for IntrospectIon and collaboration. Newly built on Steward’s 37-acre campus, this 6,200 square foot “lab” intentionally reveals its operating mechanics and incorporates green building principles to spark additional learning opportunities.
innovation curriculum
a collaborative, 21st-century
curriculum
The Bryan Innovation Lab is a tool for teachers and students to engage in new ways of learning. The curriculum connects different disciplines in both natural and constructed environments that promote real-world problem solving.
evolving curriculum with our changing world
t h e m e #1
theme #2
energy & resources
health & wellness
Through the foundation of scientific research and analysis, this section of our curriculum engages students in strategic and physical engineering, such as analyzing the Bryan Innovation Lab energy use or designing run-off water recycling programs on campus.
Modern health awareness is the basis of medical research and practice and also the foundation of personal longevity. Through gardening, nutrition, and developing a relationship with nature, our students are learning healthful practices for themselves, the community, and the environment.
theme #3
natural & built environment Engineering, architecture, the environmental sciences, and the unique interactions of all living and non-living things that make up our environment are explored. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that the solutions for many current problems can be found in nature.
innovation curriculum
We’ve made creative and dynamic enhancements to our curriculum so that teachers can challenge students to think more critically and holistically.
N
The Core: Exposed, labeled, and metered mechanical systems that generate real-time data for students to investigate how energy is being generated and consumed
an interactive, educational journey.
Wellness studio: A vital teaching space for physical exercise and social-emotional health
class example: Measure and compare the Bryan Innovation Lab’s energy use with the previous week’s and brainstorm energy-saving solutions.
class example: Learn new healthful practices by Skyping with a wellness guru from across the country.
innovation curriculum
1
Kitchen studio & gardens: Engaging students in the production, preparation, consumption, and composting of food, fostering lifelong, healthy decision-making skills
outdoor learning environments:
class example: Experience a meal from farm to table—harvesting vegetables from the School garden and cooking a healthy meal in the outdoor brick oven.
An opportunity for all disciplines to explore and apply natural laws and systems thinking to the interaction of natural spaces and human design class example: Examine water samples from Petronis Pond to determine the health of native organisms.
innovation studios: Spaces for scientific inquiry using cutting-edge equipment to develop creative, innovative, and collaborative solutions to real-world problems class example: Design and build a prototype for a water bottle-filling station for campus.
creativityempathy Regardless of curriculum theme or subject matter,
“ We are preparing our students with a whole new set of skills to excel in the 21st century; they will be adaptable, resourceful, and know the right questions to ask—we’re training them for jobs that don’t yet exist.” — ken seward, headmaster
flexibility entrepreneurial
resilience
collaboration adaptability
innovative communication
responsibility compassion
innovation curriculum
The Bryan Innovation Lab seeks to develop skills and traits that cannot be learned from a textbook.
problem solving
inventive
The Visiting innovators Program exposes the Steward community to the teachings of local and visiting experts as well as innovatorsin-residence. This unique
educational opportunity is made possible by one of only 12 grants awarded to U.S. schools by the E.E. Ford Foundation’s Spring 2010 cycle.
community
Sharing, learning, and growing with
the community
The Bryan Innovation Lab opens its doors to the greater Richmond community to promote education about real-world issues in the context of natural and built environments.
Mr. and Mrs. John Bryan III, parents of alumna Ellie Bryan, Class of 2009.
community
the steward school community is enriched and united by the families that we serve.
It was through a generous gift from the Bryan family and other individual donors that the Bryan Innovation Lab was made possible. Their vision is that this unique educational experience will flourish for years to come and will establish The Steward School as a national model for education.
graduating innovators
young stewards ready to lead
The Steward School’s founding mission is to prepare our students for college and for life. When we welcome our students, we are thinking about who they will ultimately become and the potential they hold for their lives. The Bryan Innovation Lab is just one step we’ve made to create an environment where students can problem solve and dare to fail. We are inspiring creative thinkers and future leaders.
innovation is accelerating at an astonishing pace.
03
Human genome project is completed, identifying all human DNA.
04
Proctor and Gamble creates water treatment powder that removes 99% of viruses and bacteria and has saved over 26,000 lives.
05
Kiva launches, allowing an on-line lending platform connecting lenders to entrepreneurs.
06
Twitter is released and gains a social media network, now with more than 500 million users as of February 2013.
07
Apple launches the iPhone and changes the way we interact and communicate.
08
NASA launches the first unmanned spacecraft, the lunar orbiter.
09
An HIV breakthrough, scientists discover a new vaccine to prevent infections.
10
Square allows credit card payments to be accepted remotely anywhere.
Spotify provides millions of music libraries online for free.
12
NAO Robot is used to treat children with autism and can see, hear, and converse with people.
13
and beyond
In 2013, Steward students will begin immersive study in the Bryan Innovation Lab, encouraging them to think about ideas and solutions that can change the world.
innovation today
as educators, we must also innovate, adapt, and establish new methods for teaching and learning. will you join us? 11