Deeper Learning 2026

Curiosity has been treated as something to manage, contain, or redirect, yet we now recognize it as a critical driver of learning. In this provocation lab, participants will study a range of examples from a variety of contexts and analyze how and why they work to spark and sustain inquiry. Together, we will explore the design moves that place curiosity at the center of instruction and clarify what distinguishes a true provocation from a simple hook, focusing on experiences that require thinking, discourse, and questioning. This session is for teachers and leaders ready to shift from delivering information to creating conditions that invite exploration. Participants will leave with practical tools and a clear framework for designing lessons that nurture curiosity as a durable learning disposition.

How can we build momentum for change in a way that enables shared direction but doesn’t impose standardization? How can we get the boats rowing in the same direction but still foster innovation? In this session we will explore the complimentary ideas of coherence and emergence and how together they can accelerate transformation. Building coherence requires relentless focus and constant vigilance. Participants will first examine their vision, ensuring it is specific, clear and identify where elements of your vision already exist within your system. Then leaders will play The Coherence Game; an activity we have created to help system leaders see where in their own system they have strong coherence and where coherence needs to be built. Lastly, participants will connect their coherence work with the critical strategies that enable emergence to happen in their organization.

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava

Our workshop gives a window into an innovative tri-party collaboration between a school district, university and nonprofit designed to address gaps in access for kids to game-changing opportunities to learn, love and consider futures in STEM fields. The program, called Beyond Possible, is an afterschool community-based dual enrollment program for high school students designed to develop STEM and durable skills and position young people to enter in-demand careers leading to economic mobility.

In this session, participants will walk through the development journey of this partnership, examine data sets to pinpoint crucial issues of equity, engage in community asset mapping to identify strong values-driven collaborations and gain perspective from lessons learned by the partners as they built and adjusted the innovative partnership.  Through the process, participants will have the opportunity to engage with others, apply the thinking protocols to their own challenges and bring curiosity and planning focus to dilemmas of equity in their own contexts.