It all begins with an idea

In 2024, Dr. Nick Kelly, Associate Professor of Design Sciences, gave a TEDx Talk entitled “Schools for the 21st century: A generation of brilliant designers”. In his talk, Dr. Kelly claims that the goal of schooling should be to produce “brilliant designers”. In this idea jam, let’s consider the curricular approaches, teaching methods and pedagogy needed to shift from “student” to “brilliant designer”.

Proposed in 1973 by Rittel and Webber, the concept of ‘wicked problems’ arguably encapsulates much of the phenomena we experience today - and describes issues that we often recognize as ‘intractable’. We explore the roles of creativity, imagination and re-framing of boundaries in the process of engaging such challenges - and how this can enable our collective praxis.

What kind of learning cultures do we need to help young people navigation complexity with creativity, resilience, and hope? If brilliance lives in everyone what much change so students feel seen, heard, valued - and empowered to shape a better world?

According to Rudolf Steiner and anthroposophy, we have twelve senses, intertwined to experience boundaries, warning, individuality, connection and many other factors. The idea is to embrace as many senses as we can through creativity and imagination, with a narrative that stimulates our minds and takes us back to our perception, merged in our own life story.

Inspired by experiences from the Lincoln Center Institute for the Arts in Education Imagination Conversations, come join Jenna-Leigh Di Nardo in the discussion on the possibilities that imagination can offer in career development.

Join Jacqueline Lawrence in conversation with Sara Donovan, educator, historian and quiltmaker from Nova Scotia to explore: Quilting, The Stories They Tell during CNIC’s Jam Session on Thursday, January 15th, 7pm EST.

At a keynote presentation at the International Congress of Academic Medicine in Halifax in 2025, health reporter André Picard asked patient advocate Angus Pratt “What makes a good doctor?”. Angus replied “Empathy, listening, and listening to what is not being said.” But how and when do health care providers learn how to do that? Especially when so little of their training is dedicated to the development of non-technical skills?

Ian approaches engineering education through the creation of interactive art installations that convey scientific concepts. By engaging in the artistic process, students tap into the thrill of exploring the unknown which is a feeling that drives professional scientists and engineers but is often hard to cultivate in a high school setting.

Join Dean Verger and his guest Brad Denys on this months Idea Jam. Brad Denys, dancer, circus performer, storyteller and artist will talk about his experiences of becoming, maintaining, and being a creative artist.

Join Michael Wilson as he hosts our fifth anniversary Idea Jam conversation, on Thursday September 18, on the topic of The miracle of the Sock Project, highlighting the amazing creative mind and achievement of Jessica Baird.

In this session we will explore how the arts support students as they engage in social and emotional learning, explore their concept/perception of self, and further connect with themselves (and each other).

This session explores how ChatGPT can support both educators and creative professionals. Participants will learn techniques to enhance creative lesson plans and develop inclusive materials aligned with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.

Jacqueline will welcome Chantal Georges and Nichelle Smith, members of the PLAYYFUL Women of BLOOM Collective, to be in conversation about creating their life from inside their vision and sharing their creative gifts while choosing to be well.

Dr. Matt McGuire shares how learners can explore a variety of digital technologies to develop and enhance ideas, products, or processes through creative expression and innovative designs to solve issues that affect them, their communities, and the world.

Are you inside the box in your environment? Is creative thinking limited by your work or the rules of the system. This session will take a look at creativity and imagination ideas when the environment you are in is inside the box.

Creative Arts activities can play an important role in CBU’s engagement with the five mandates of the strategic plan. We invest in our students when we provide courses and activities that foster creative expression.

In this jam, Paul shares his research findings from his thesis investigation into the imaginative capabilities of educational leaders and the processes underpinning their development.

In this conversation Peter will talk with guests Luc Lalonde, Sebastian Gaisseert, and other tenants from the Rideau Community Hub, a decommissioned High School, reimagined as a “third space” for community flourishing. Be prepared to be inspired!!

Join us to learn about Dragon Dreaming a consensual participatory strategy employed for planning projects that build collective wisdom, enabling individuals and communities to adjust creatively and positively to change.

Ugliness is what we try to avoid, but it always comes unexpectedly. What can we do when ugly moments come? Does ugliness tell stories? Do ugly moments sing? In this Idea Jam, Ming-Yu will invite us to listen to and reveal the beauty in ugliness.

Kweku Aacht creates cutting edge soundtracks for dance theatre companies, facilitates brave spaces for essential and often uncomfortable conversations, and holds executives and leaders in the possibility of purpose, creativity, well-being and fulfillment.

In this conversation Peter will talk to guests about how they create the space and conditions to foster creativity and well being in their learning culture.

How to find motivation and innovation within you when you sometimes just don’t feel the fire.

In this session we will explore the ways that the modern world has impacted/affected creativity and how we embrace or resist current forms of creative practice through intergenerational perspectives.

Dr. Patrick Howard, Professor in the Faculty of Education at Cape Breton University, NS will be my guest to share his knowledge of sustainability education, and its connections with health and well-being in people and communities.

In a wide range of collective revelation, we will explore why we bother with creativity at all.

Does assessment kill creativity? In this session we will discuss the role assessment plays in learning, and how assessments can empower students to embrace creativity.

Learn about a new approach using Creative Spatial Activities developed by Stephen Sillett and tied to Clean Language Interviewing.

Participate in an imaginative collective to shape an (inter)national roundtable on play, imagination and creativity. Engage with others to explore the possibilities!