June 21, 2026

How to spark curiosity in learning - Olivia Odileke

22 minutes

What happens when we stop focusing on delivering information and start creating the conditions for curiosity?

In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros sits down with educator, instructional coach, and conference founder Olivia Odileke to explore why curiosity may be the most important skill we can cultivate in schools today.

Olivia shares the inspiration behind the Spark Curiosity EDU Experience, an immersive conference designed to help educators move beyond compliance-driven instruction and create learning experiences that spark thinking, wonder, and engagement. Together, they discuss the role of psychological safety, the difference between retention and learning, the challenges facing modern classrooms, and how educators can rediscover joy and purpose in their work.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why curiosity is the foundation for problem-solving, adaptability, persistence, and deeper learning

• How "discovery before delivery" can transform classroom experiences

• The importance of psychological safety for both students and educators

• Why changing student experiences starts with changing adult experiences

• How AI can support instructional decision-making without replacing human connection

• Practical strategies educators can use immediately to spark engagement and thinking

You'll also hear about innovative elements of the Spark Curiosity EDU Experience, including the Spark Wall, Shout-Out Wall, Fearless Educator Radio, and Olivia's Micro-Inquiry Framework.

Connect with Olivia:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-odileke/

Learn more about the conference:

https://sparkcuriosityedu.com/

Questions for Reflection and Conversation:

What are we doing in our classrooms that sparks curiosity before delivering information?

How can we create greater psychological safety for both students and educators to take risks and learn?

Are our students primarily consuming information, or are they actively uncovering and constructing understanding?

#Curiosity #Education #Teaching #Learning #InstructionalDesign #StudentEngagement #EducationalLeadership #InnovationInEducation #InquiryBasedLearning #TeacherDevelopment #EdChat #AIinEducation #TheInnovatorsMindset #SparkCuriosity #ProfessionalLearning

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👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

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📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

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By George Couros

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