MIT IDEAS Institute

The MIT Media Lab has initiated a new leadership program called the IDEAS
(Innovative Design Experiences After-School) Institute. The Institute is
designed for professionals who work in after-school programs in low-income
communities, and is dedicated to helping youth learn to express themselves
creatively with new technology.

The 2005 IDEAS Institute will be held at the MIT Media Lab from June 26 -
July 1, 2005. . The twenty fellows selected are an exceptional and diverse
group of dedicated professionals from Ireland, Nigeria, Macedonia, South
Africa, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Philippines, and the United States
(California, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Florida, Oregon).

Throughout the week the fellows will explore creative uses of new
technologies to deepen the learning experiences of young people. They will
learn to use new technologies being developed at the MIT Media Laboratory,
and will design and implement projects to address challenges faced by youth
in their communities. The Institute will encourage the fellows to become
leaders in their communities, start their own projects, and continue to
inspire youth in new and meaningful ways. The Institutes hopes to nuture a
truly international and collaborative network of after-school
professionals.

The IDEAS Institute is being organized by the The Media Lab's Lifelong
Kindergarten group which develops new technologies, activities, and
environments that help young people learn new things in new ways. The
group has collaborated with the LEGO toy company on the development of the
LEGO Mindstorms robotic invention kit, and it co-founded the Computer
Clubhouse network of after-school learning centers for youth from
low-income communities. Funding is provided by Intel.