How essential is innovation for our economic and social future? What has led to America's eroding lead in innovation, and how can we reclaim it? How does the journey of innovators like Kirk Phelps, Dean Kamen, Laura White, and many others shed light on fostering creativity and entrepreneurial spirit? How can we transform our educational institutions and parenting techniques to nurture the next generation of innovators?

Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World

Why is innovation essential to our future? Our intertwined economic and social challenges require a new engine for growth in the twenty-first century—innovation. Since the Great Recession of 2008, many good-paying jobs have moved overseas, and unemployment remains high. 

Our young people have been hit hardest, with employment rates at their lowest since World War II. Jobs that once paid well now offer mere survival wages, leading to a disappearing middle class and growing income inequality. 

The solution lies in creating a sustainable economy that generates good jobs without harming the planet, and innovation is key. We must become a nation that produces ideas, develops new technologies, and creates products that other countries need. We need to out-innovate our competitors, fostering creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Historically, America’s innovation has been fueled by strong patent laws, venture capital, government research investment, and immigration policies that attract global talent. However, our lead in innovation is eroding. In 2009, over half of US patents were awarded to non-US companies, and our progress in international competitiveness has lagged. To remain competitive, we need to nurture creativity and innovation in all our students.

Studies emphasize innovation's importance for future growth. A 2008 Conference Board report ranked creativity among top skills for employers. A 2010 McKinsey survey found 84% of executives prioritize innovation. President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address called for investment in research, clean energy, and technology to out-innovate other nations.

Dean Kamen, inventor, emphasizes intellectual property creation for wealth, highlighting scalable ideas like cures for cancer. Yet, our children’s creativity is declining. Newsweek’s “The Creativity Crisis” (2010) attributes this to excessive screen time and lack of creative development in schools.

Innovation, as defined by executives, involves original ideas that create value and are widely accepted. There are incremental innovations that improve existing products and disruptive innovations that create fundamentally new products. Social innovation, like Teach For America and KIPP, exemplifies transformative ideas that address societal needs.

The skills of innovators include critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, initiative, information analysis, communication, curiosity, and imagination. These skills can be nurtured through design thinking, integrating empathy, experimentalism, and collaboration. Companies like Google seek intellectual curiosity, leadership, action, and collaboration in employees.

Intrinsic motivation—play, passion, purpose—is crucial for innovation. Play fosters exploration and imagination. Montessori schools emphasize learning through play, which many innovative leaders experienced. Passion drives perseverance and mastery, while purpose sustains motivation to make a difference.

Can President Obama's Vision for Innovation Secure America's Future?

Kirk Phelps, a high school and college dropout, left Phillips Exeter Academy to pursue science at Stanford, then left Stanford just shy of earning both a BS and MS to work on the first iPhone for Apple. Now at SunRun, Kirk transforms how electric power is generated and sold. His journey reflects the importance of finding one's interests over merely studying specific subjects.

Kirk’s parents, Cord and Lea Phelps, adopted a trial-and-error approach to parenting. They exposed their children to diverse cultures and interests, allowing Kirk to play soccer in a Hispanic league to experience different people. They emphasized unstructured outdoor play and enforced free reading time, fostering Kirk’s self-confidence and intrinsic motivation.

Kirk’s passion evolved from science to engineering through Stanford’s Smart Product Design classes, taught by Ed Carryer. These classes were hands-on, interdisciplinary, and fun, empowering students to solve real-world problems. Kirk’s experience in these classes led to his role at Apple, where he managed the development of the iPhone by understanding constraints and facilitating conflict resolution among various engineering teams.

At Apple, Kirk learned that creativity thrives on constraints and conflict. Apple’s approach to innovation involves pushing suppliers beyond their limits and investing in strategic capabilities to create unparalleled products.

Kirk’s story highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation and creative-thinking skills over merely acquiring academic expertise. His journey from passionate play to purposeful innovation exemplifies how nurturing self-confidence and encouraging exploration can develop innovative capacities.

Kirk’s parents supported his unconventional decisions, emphasizing the value of learning as an end in itself. Ed’s courses demonstrated that empowering students through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects and team collaboration fosters intrinsic motivation and prepares them for real-world challenges. The culture of innovation in Ed’s classes mirrored the environment at Apple, suggesting that educational practices should align with the demands of innovative workplaces.

From iPhone Innovator to Solar Power Pioneer: Kirk Phelps' Unconventional Path

Shanna Tellerman's journey from childhood artist to STEM innovator is both inspiring and fascinating. Her early passion for art led her to Carnegie Mellon, where a transformative course in Building Virtual Worlds changed her career trajectory. 

Shanna's collaboration with diverse teams in this course ignited her love for 3D design, ultimately leading her to found Sim Ops Studios. Despite initial struggles, her perseverance paid off when Autodesk acquired her company, allowing her to work on impactful projects in sustainable building design.

Similarly, Jodie Wu's story showcases the power of combining engineering skills with a desire to make a difference. Growing up in Georgia, Jodie's hands-on science projects and participation in math teams honed her problem-solving abilities. At MIT, her experience in the D-Lab courses inspired her to apply her mechanical engineering knowledge to real-world issues. Jodie founded Global Cycle Solutions in Tanzania, transforming bicycles into innovative tools for rural communities.

David Sengeh's path from Sierra Leone to Harvard exemplifies the importance of mentorship and global awareness. His early involvement in social activism and his education at the United World College in Norway broadened his perspective. At Harvard, David's work in the Idea Translation Lab led to groundbreaking projects like distributing malaria nets and generating electricity from dirt. His mentors at Harvard encouraged his entrepreneurial spirit, guiding him towards a career in prosthesis design at MIT.

Jamien Sills' story is one of resilience and creativity. From his obsession with shoe design as a child to overcoming setbacks in the industry, Jamien's persistence and innovative thinking have shaped his career. Despite encountering discouragement, he continued to pursue his passion, eventually developing eco-friendly shoe designs and teaching entrepreneurship to inner-city youth.

These stories highlight common themes: supportive parents who encourage exploration, transformative educational experiences, and the importance of mentors. Each innovator's journey reflects the interplay of play, passion, and purpose, driving them to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields.

How Did Shanna Tellerman's Passion for Art Lead to a Groundbreaking Career in STEM Innovation?

David Bornstein describes social innovators as people with new ideas to tackle major problems, who persistently pursue their visions. This chapter introduces three young social innovators, beginning with Laura White.

Laura grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where her father is a civil engineering professor. Her journey into social innovation began at age fourteen when she befriended Tammy, a homeless girl at her school. Laura started sharing her lunch with Tammy and volunteered regularly, leading her to organize swimming lessons for disadvantaged kids in Atlanta. This initiative evolved into Swim 4 Success, supported by Hands On Atlanta and Youth Venture.

Laura's parents played a crucial role by encouraging her to explore her interests, even when she shifted from competitive swimming to community service. Laura's experiences and mentors at Tulane University, such as Carol Whelan and Dr. John Howard, further nurtured her passion. Her work includes adding a social-venture-leadership component to a class and creating a digital 'living transcript' for documenting social innovation efforts.

Next, we meet Syreeta Gates from Queens, New York. Syreeta's early entrepreneurial spirit was evident when she sold popcorn and bookmarks in elementary school. Her passion for social change was ignited during high school when she volunteered at a soup kitchen. Despite struggling academically, Syreeta found her path through volunteer work with organizations like Public Allies and Project Reach Youth, where mentors like Daniel Silber-Baker and Erica Ford supported her.

Syreeta founded The SWT Life, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth. Her work emphasizes the importance of passion, strengths, and purpose, helping young people navigate their challenges. Syreeta's mentors pushed her to overcome the limitations imposed by urban youth culture, teaching her that greatness lies within.

Lastly, we explore the story of Zander Srodes, an environmentalist who began his journey at eleven after a chance encounter with a woman passionate about sea turtles. Zander created educational materials and gave presentations, eventually writing "Turtle Talks" and raising substantial funds for sea turtle conservation. Despite struggling academically, Zander's passion for marine biology and his practical contributions highlight the importance of support from mentors like Linda Soderquist.

These stories underscore the significance of play, passion, and purpose in the development of young innovators. Whether through supportive parents, dedicated mentors, or nonprofit networks, these elements are crucial for nurturing the next generation of social innovators.

Meet the Next Generation of Social Innovators: Laura White, Syreeta Gates, and Zander Srodes

Educational institutions, particularly high schools and colleges, often cling to traditional teaching methods, primarily focused on rote memorization and standard content delivery. This approach, while preserving cultural literacy, can stifle students' curiosity and impede their ability to innovate. 

Research shows many graduates lack a deep understanding of their subjects, knowing facts without grasping underlying concepts. Moreover, the exponential growth of information makes it impossible to cover all academic content comprehensively, often leaving students ill-prepared for real-world problem-solving.

Scott Rosenberg, founder of Art Start, demonstrates a different approach. His nonprofit engages at-risk youth through creative processes, helping them find purpose and voice. Rosenberg's innovative teaching methods, including media literacy and hands-on projects like the Hip Hop Project, transformed lives, notably Chris "Kazi" Rolle, who went from homelessness to becoming a successful actor and mentor.

Similarly, Amanda Alonzo, a science teacher at Lynbrook High School, challenges traditional methods by focusing on inquiry-based learning and individual research projects. Despite pressures to conform, Amanda's seminars foster problem-solving skills and intrinsic motivation, preparing students for scientific innovation.

In higher education, institutions like Olin College of Engineering embody a radical shift. Olin emphasizes hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, requiring students to start businesses and create products. This approach fosters initiative and creative problem-solving, moving beyond mere content knowledge to develop innovators.

Olin’s culture contrasts sharply with conventional academic settings, prioritizing collaboration, multidisciplinary learning, risk-taking, creating, and intrinsic motivation. Students work in teams, design their own majors, and undertake significant projects, all while being encouraged to pursue their passions.

Other institutions, like MIT’s Media Lab and Team Academy in Finland, also break from traditional models, emphasizing practical, real-world applications and entrepreneurial skills. These schools showcase how innovative teaching methods can transform education, preparing students to tackle complex problems and drive future innovations.

Despite these successes, significant obstacles remain. Tenure systems, accreditation processes, and entrenched academic cultures often resist change, making it challenging for innovative programs to gain traction.

Ultimately, transforming education to foster innovation requires rethinking curricula, teaching methods, and institutional structures. By integrating collaboration, multidisciplinary learning, trial and error, and intrinsic motivation, educators can better prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. The examples from Art Start, Lynbrook High, Olin College, and others provide a blueprint for creating educational environments that inspire and empower the next generation of innovators.

Can Scott Rosenberg's Art Start and Olin College's Radical Methods Revolutionize Education?

To develop future innovators, the journey starts early, influenced by parents, educators, and workplace mentors. Parents play a crucial role by fostering intrinsic motivations like play, passion, and purpose in their children. 

For example, Annmarie, a child psychologist, allows her son Tucker to experiment freely as long as he adheres to safety and character. Similarly, Malcolm Campbell encourages his children’s interests, even if it means wearing polka dots and stripes together.

Research and anecdotes from innovative preschools like Stanford's Bing Nursery School show the importance of unstructured play and fewer, imagination-driven toys. Bing’s philosophy emphasizes materials like sand, water, and blocks, aligning with Montessori principles that have produced many innovators. Parents interviewed stressed avoiding over-programming and allowing exploration and creativity.

The narrative continues in the workplace, where attracting and retaining young innovators is a growing challenge. Successful companies adapt by flattening hierarchies, encouraging collaborative problem-solving, and fostering environments where ideas flow from all levels. Examples like Best Buy and Cisco show how involving employees in innovation processes can prevent costly mistakes and enhance customer experiences.

The military also adapts, teaching soldiers to innovate and make strategic decisions independently, reflecting the urgency of innovation in life-or-death situations. Programs like Cisco’s Action Learning Forum disrupt traditional executive training, emphasizing reflection and collaboration.

Ultimately, fostering innovation requires redefining authority. From parents to teachers, executives to generals, successful innovation relies on earned, enabling authority, encouraging exploration, questioning, and even disobedience. Innovators need excellent coaching at every stage, balancing discipline with creativity and resilience. The future of innovation depends on this new understanding of leadership and mentorship.

From Bing Nursery to Cisco: Cultivating Tomorrow's Innovators

Innovation is crucial for addressing the intertwined economic and social challenges of the twenty-first century. The erosion of good-paying jobs and increasing unemployment post-2008 necessitates a shift towards creating a sustainable economy through innovation. By fostering creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, we can develop technologies and products that the world needs, ensuring economic growth and competitiveness.

Historically, America has leveraged strong patent laws, venture capital, government research investment, and immigration policies to fuel innovation. However, this lead is diminishing, and we must nurture creativity in students to maintain our competitive edge. Innovation is recognized as vital by employers and leaders, emphasizing the need for investment in research, clean energy, and technology.

The skills of innovators, such as critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, and imagination, are essential for future growth. These can be cultivated through design thinking, which integrates empathy, experimentalism, and collaboration. Intrinsic motivation—play, passion, and purpose—is key to fostering innovation. Parents, teachers, and mentors play vital roles in nurturing these qualities in young people.

Educational institutions often rely on traditional teaching methods, which can stifle curiosity and innovation. Innovative approaches in education, such as inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary projects, are necessary for preparing students for real-world problem-solving. Successful examples from schools like Olin College of Engineering and MIT’s Media Lab highlight the importance of hands-on, collaborative learning.

Transforming education to foster innovation requires rethinking curricula, teaching methods, and institutional structures. By integrating collaboration, multidisciplinary learning, trial and error, and intrinsic motivation, educators can better prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. 

The journey of developing future innovators starts early, influenced by parents, educators, and workplace mentors. Supportive environments that encourage exploration and creativity are critical. Successful companies and the military are adapting to foster innovation, emphasizing collaboration and strategic decision-making. Ultimately, fostering innovation requires redefining authority and leadership, balancing discipline with creativity and resilience.

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Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World

Tony Wagner

7 Key ideas

18 MINS

How essential is innovation for our economic and social future?

What has led to America's eroding lead in innovation, and how can we reclaim it?

How does the journey of innovators like Kirk Phelps, Dean Kamen, Laura White, and many others shed light on fostering creativity and entrepreneurial spirit?

How can we transform our educational institutions and parenting techniques to nurture the next generation of innovators?