Alex is founder of Public Workshop and Tiny WPA, Philadelphia-based organizations that create uniquely engaging opportunities for youth and their communities to shape the design of their cities. We talk about how designing in public energizes communities, and gives young people a chance to participate as citizens and leaders. Learn more about Public Workshop and Tiny WPA at www.facebook.com/publicworkshop and www.facebook.com/tinywpa.

Rick Kreinbring is a 26 year veteran and teaches AP language and composition and AP literature and composition at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills Michigan. Rick worked with the Henry Ford Institute to develop his practice of using design thinking in the classroom. We talk about how he emphasizes to his students the critical importance of the role of empathy and audience in producing effective writing. We also talk about this work with the National Writing Project. To learn more about the NWP, you can watch this short film about Elyse Eidman-Aadhal.

Stephanie Chang is Director of Programs at Maker Ed where she is responsible for overseeing Maker Ed’s program and project offerings, including Maker Corps, Maker VISTA, Young Makers, the Open Portfolio Project, and the online Resource Library. I talk with Stephanie about Maker Ed’s programs to provide educators and institutions with the training, resources, and community support they need to create engaging and inclusive learning experiences through maker education.

Jay is Founder and CEO of JoyLabz, the makers of Makey Makey, a way to connect any object to a computer and now a staple at maker spaces everywhere. He was the first ever Maker Research Scientist at Intel and is on the board of Maker Ed. Jay’s MIT PhD topic was World as Construction Kit. Jay is a great explainer of the maker sensibility and we talk a lot about how teachers can take that sensibility into the classroom to spark creativity. You can watch a short film about Jay here.