What does it feel to be like in a room with about 170 teenagers all working on challenges they’ve identified in their schools, local communities, and even the world? Well, on March 23, the conference hotel room was packed with those teenagers, all working, talking, thinking, collaborating together to build, finalize, and share their solutions. The enthusiasm was off the charts! They loved being away from school and onsite, not virtual. They came dressed as teens do in everything from suits and ties to laid back casual. They represented all demographics and all walks of leadership from formal to informal positions of influence from urban, suburban, and rural high schools. And, they came believing that their voice matters, they can make a difference, and they can have influence in their schools and communities even at 15 or 17 - not just as adults. 

Faculty advisors stood back from directing the teams. They listened and supported the teens to do the thinking - and the work. They were there to support but not drive the design process. 

Many of the groups started their work in January when student team leaders began to meet with Dee Lanier, educational practitioner and design thinking facilitator, who developed the design thinking model that VaSCL uses, Solve in Time.

What challenges were on the mind of the teen teams? Working from the Sustainable Goals Project, they identified challenges of education - How do we ensure all students get access to challenging and relevant learning? What might we do to support getting a highly qualified teacher - not a sub - in all our classrooms?  Others took on local community issues of food insecurity, homelessness, and environmental issues. One team took on criminal justice in the local and greater community.

Before we left, we heard great feedback for next year. More time. More opportunities to share with each other. Can we start earlier in the fall, actually? Can we bring more team members next year? Can we keep on doing this institute? 

Now the planning starts for the 2023-24 Student Leadership Design Thinking Institute. If you have ideas for us to make the institute even better, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.