WASHINGTON, DC
2nd Annual National School Redesign Showcase
A school year-long collaboration bringing together students, teachers, schools, and policymakers to design and exhibit school experiences so they are places where each individual is able to enjoy agency, belonging and connection.
We are inviting student-educator design teams from middle and high schools to participate in the 2nd Annual National School Redesign Showcase. Join us in a national movement to reimagine schools as spaces where everyone wants to be and lead to a bright future for all students. Places where each individual is able to enjoy agency, belonging and connection.
The Showcase is a school year-long activity culminating in an inspiring event where school teams share their designs, learning, and insights with educational policymakers in Washington, DC on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Experience is a powerful way of knowing, so this year we are inviting teams to design and prototype a series of student experiences that make schools a place everyone wants to be and help build pathways to their future success.
Meet & Greet Information Session
We offer two broad areas of consideration but welcome teams who create their own way.
Fostering Connection: Knowing that humans are hardwired for connection, the invitation is to design a series of experiences that enable students to feel deeply connected to the adults in the school, each other, and a shared vision of the school’s purpose.
Building Pathways to Success: Knowing that finding a pathway to adult success is important to having agency, the invitation is to design a series of experiences that allow each school member to discover potential pathways and vocations beyond high school that resonate with their individual passion and future views of themselves.
Team sessions
Focused Design Sessions
Through the year, teams will participate in virtual design sessions in October, November, and December with an opportunity to share prototypes in February. Each session is offered at three diferent times to make it easier for school team to attend. Please note, the meeting times are EST.
Visit the 2025 Showcase Design Team Tools & Resources Page.
Showcase Team Design Session 1
School Team Virtual Design Session.
October 29, 2024
Watch the video of the
Focused Design Session
Watch the three-minute video embedded in the presentation by inspirational thinker Brené Brown considers why we blame others
Showcase Team Design Session 2
School Team Virtual Design Session.
November 13, 2024
Watch the video of the
Focused Design Session
Watch the seven-minute video mentioned the presentation on the Ikigai concept.
Watch the video of the
Focused Design Session
Watch a one-minute video on how to move from an idea to a prototype.
School Design Team Prototype Sharing Session
School Design Team Prototype Sharing Session.
February 5, 2025
Watch experts at design IDEO go through a project to show how they integrate the needs of people in the design of everything and anything.
Why
Why Redesign ?
Now more than ever, it’s clear that our current educational system was not designed to provide pathways to life success for ALL of our young people.
School redesign affords educators the opportunity to co-create a space where all want to be – adults and students alike – elevating the insights of teachers, students, and families that allow a manifestation of educational experiences that are designed to be of service for all.
2024 National School Redesign Showcase
On May 9th, 13 national school teams of students and teacher presented their findings on how to change the school experience and strengthen student and teacher agency, a sense of belonging, and school connectedness. The teams worked together to conduct research; survey and shadow students, teachers, and staff; and test prototypes to develop their presentations at the National School Redesign Showcase in Washington, DC.
The showcase was well-attended by local and national educators; dignitaries including Jimmy Burnette, Mayor of Suwanee GA, Georgia 6th congressman Rich McCormick, members of President Biden’s Education Advisory Committee; educational policy makers; and media. The showcase was a resounding success enabling each school team to present and interact directly with a large, national audience. The teams also had the opportunity to create networks and relationships with other schools dedicated to improving their schools.
Event Photo Album
WELCOME SIGN
Dr. Balfanz welcome guests to the Showcase.
Christopher Morphew, dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education welcomes guests.
Student/Teacher Teams Group Shot No. 1
Student/Teacher Team Group Shot No. 2
Dr. Balfanz Reviews a Team’s Presentation
Dean Morphew Reviews a School Team’s Presentation
Georgia 6th District’s Congressman Rich McCormack with a School Team
Jimmy Burnette, Mayor of Suwanee GA
Get In Touch
2800 North Charles Street, Suite 420
Baltimore, MD 21218
mlinda@jhu.edu