Innovation at Graland: The Next Chapter of Mr. Gates’ Legacy

Now, in the blink of an eye, five years later, we are celebrating another milestone, 25 years. Program-wise, Graland’s Innovation Skills continue to be at the core. Empathy, creative thinking, critical thinking, grit/perseverance, experimentation, and collaboration are guiding students through the design thinking process to help them solve problems. What has continued to evolve, however, is the scope of the program, its accessibility, and the impressive ways our students are putting these skills into action to solve real-world problems. The foundation Mr. Gates laid continues to thrive, but we are also expanding its reach and impact in ways that promise to make the next five years just as exciting as the last.

One of the more noticeable transformations since our celebration in 2020 is who can use the Gates Lab and how often students can engage with it. With the opening of the Corkins Center in 2016, it has been our goal to ensure that every Graland student experiences the magical learning that was once reserved for those participating in the Gates program.

Now, thanks to the dedicated work of Mrs. Elizabeth Leddy, our Lower School innovation specialist, more and more of Graland’s youngest students are filling the lab to practice all of Graland’s innovation skills through thoughtful, innovative lessons and projects. Tinker Time is now built into the year-round schedule for every kindergartener and first grader. Lower School students in other grade levels also spend time in the lab throughout the year working on special projects incorporated into their curriculum.

Mr. Jorge Chavez, our Middle School innovation specialist, has also been quite busy filling the Gates Lab with Middle School students. Each year, in addition to his duties as co-director of the Gates program, Mr. Chavez partners with several Middle School teachers to help enhance their lessons with innovative projects. The list of projects is ever-expanding.

Also new since 2020, we have significantly enhanced the Gates program for our Grades 5 and 6 inventors by expanding the number of days students can choose from for participation. Previously, participants had only two opportunities each week, but we have now increased this to five opportunities. This change not only provides students with greater flexibility and choice in their schedules but also reduces the number of students per class time. As a result, participants can enjoy more individualized attention and support from the Gates coaches, leading to a richer learning experience and greater exposure to the skills and guidance offered. This year, there will be over 100 inventors participating in the Expo! 

The past five years have shown a dramatic increase in the use of newer technologies to help solve problems. The use of mini computers such as Raspberry Pi and Arduino has skyrocketed in the Gates Lab. These tiny processors allow inventors to sense motion, detect sound, detect color, and much more while learning essential skills in programming, electronics, and problem-solving.

Many inventors are beginning to solve problems by creating mobile apps with user-friendly app-building programs. These platforms have become more intuitive, allowing learners to design and launch applications without extensive coding knowledge. This enables them to focus on creativity and problem-solving.

Most recently, our student inventors began learning how to leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help them solve problems. Imagine an inventor who wants to help people experiencing joint pain. The inventor can create a custom ChatBot with a new Graland-approved platform called MagicSchool that mimics a person suffering from joint pain. They can ask questions and interact with the Bot to gain a better understanding of their condition, building empathy along the way. Next, the inventor might build another ChatBot that mimics an orthopedic surgeon, again interacting with the Bot to understand more and even begin to explore ideas for solving the issue. This synergy between human creativity and artificial intelligence not only enhances their inventive processes but also empowers them to tackle pressing issues, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in the hands of the next generation of innovators.

As we look forward to the next five years, it is exciting to imagine what new technologies will emerge. Some may actually create new problems to solve, while others may help develop new solutions. Either way, it will be fun to see how it all plays out.