Summer Institute for Authentic Learning and Leadership

At Roto, we spend our days creating immersive exhibits and experiences for museums and cultural institutions. While exhibit development often begins with designers, educators, and subject matter experts, some of our most valuable insights come from the students who interact with our ideas along the way. Their questions, creativity, and unexpected perspectives help us create stronger experiences and often lead us in directions we never anticipated.

Attendees will get an inside look at Roto's Design Thinking process and the creative collaboration that drives our work. We'll share how designers, educators, engineers, fabricators, and learners work together to test ideas, challenge assumptions, and continuously improve experiences through prototyping and evaluation.

Using Roto's Space Outpost Designer exhibit as a case study, participants will explore how learner involvement influenced the evolution of a real project and helped shape the final visitor experience. Participants will leave with practical examples and strategies they can adapt to encourage creativity, student voice, authentic collaboration, and innovation in their own settings.

Looking for a way to connect your classroom to your community? I am presenting on 2 projects I completed this year that have led to connections within my school's community. The projects can translate to any age or grade level and can find their way into many different content levels/areas.