Destination Imagination is proud to host our annual education conference at the Westin Park Central Hotel in Dallas, TX, July 25-26, 2014. This year, Ignite will feature more than 30 different workshops and opportunities for educators that focus on emerging trends and proven strategies for engaging students in innovative and creative learning.

Below are just a few of the more than 30 sessions that will be available to educators at the Ignite 2014 Innovation for Education Conference.

The Invention

How do you inspire and excite students in the classroom? Use the Invention Experience! In this workshop, teachers will be trained on the successful 6-step invention process used by startups and technology inventors across the world. Each workshop is a hands-on guided tour through the process of invention and entrepreneurship. Teachers will learn how to fit their existing lesson plans into an “invention mindset” and use the simple 6 step process to engage students in any content area you’re teaching! At the conclusion of the workshop, teachers will leave with an Invention Guidebook and a of worksheets that they can use with their students that will turn any lesson plan, into a hands-on, exciting experience for students of any age! The Invention Experience was developed by two Silicon Valley education entrepreneurs with the support of Microsoft and the Lemelson Foundation.

Playful Learning: Bringing Game-Based Learning to Your Classroom!

Play is how we learn best. An entire world of games exists to support learning that hasn't been at a teacher’s fingertips—until now. Playful Learning is a national initiative supporting educators using games in education. We aim to introduce playful systems and engaging games that meet needs and ignite passions in the classroom. Learn how to access free tools that help you find the games you need and plug them into a larger professional community of educators who are using games to better engage their students. Come play with us!

Create a Dynamic Classroom Environment That Ignites Imagination, Innovation and Collaboration!

Explore research-supported ways to create a 21st century classroom environment that supports Common Core standards, technology/interactive media, innovation, and collaboration— all within the context of play-based teaching and learning! This interactive session features an engaging presentation, demonstrations, group participation activities, and many opportunities for brainstorming and sharing . Participants will receive handouts that feature innovative ideas for creative room setup and organization, interactive bulletin boards, team building activities, and much more.

Deeper Learning through Global Collaboration Projects

Global Collaboration Projects are an authentic and meaningful way to engage students in deeper learning. By working collaboratively with peers around the world, students are challenged to think critically and communicate effectively while drawing on multiple perspectives to solve complex problems and addressing real-world issues. Join us to participate in a simulation of a global collaboration project designed to help you experience and understand how they contribute to students’ deeper learning. This session will introduce you to the “what, why, and how” of global collaboration, including a comprehensive resource of existing projects for every grade level and content area.

Pursuing Rigor through Meaningful

Academic rigor has been a topic at the forefront of education for decades and it is only becoming more and more important in the 21st Century classroom. This workshop will focus on how teachers can achieve rigorous learning through fun and creative learning for students. By allowing students to generate and interact with creative content, teachers can more effectively and efficiently explore deeper learning with their students.

Keynote Address by Bernie Trilling

Bernie Trilling is Founder and CEO of 21st Century Learning Advisors, and the former global director of the Oracle Education Foundation, where he directed the development of education strategies, partnerships, and services for the Foundation and its ThinkQuest programs. He has served as Board Member of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), co- chaired the committee that developed the highly regarded “rainbow” learning framework, and is currently a P21 Senior Fellow.

Bernie co-authored the widely acclaimed book, 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times, published by Wiley. He has also written dozens of articles for educational journals and magazines and is a featured speaker and workshop leader at numerous educational gatherings.

Bernie has been researching the common principles and practices of over 500 schools that are models for 21st century learning as part of the Hewlett Foundation’s Deeper Learning initiative. As a consultant to The Conference Board he has worked on redefining the future of work and what students need to be work ready. He has also been a consultant to the Raikes Foundation in their work on student agency and the mindsets and learning strategies that lead to student success.

The Ignite 2014 Volunteer and Educator Conference will be held Thursday through Saturday, July 24-26, 2014. Sessions on Friday will focus on elements of Destination Imagination Programs including Team Manager training for helping teams develop better solutions and improving the educational impact of the Destination Imagination Program. Attendees are welcome to register for the Full Event which includes all sessions and meals beginning with the Thursday evening welcome reception through Saturday evening. Educators are welcome to register for the Saturday-only Educators’ Conference which includes breakfast and lunch along with more than 30 different sessions presented by experts in the field of innovative techniques for teaching and learning.

Full details on educator workshops coming soon.

Event fees:

• Full Event Registration: $340 • Saturday-only Educators’ Conference: $150 • Hotel Accommodations: $65/night (double occupancy)

Please visit www.DestinationImagination.org/what-we-do/ignite-conference for more information and to register today.