#DesignCamp San Diego 2022

We asked participants to submit a prototype and statement about what they came up with as a team in 15 minutes that expressed joyful resistance to traditional schooling. Here is a taste of what came back!!!!!

We can’t get to the content (standards) as an educator without considering the whole child. It starts with the heart (empathy, acceptance, etc..) then the brain (cooperation, problem solving, patience), and then content! The “joyzistance heirarchy of needs!”

We have hope for our future! We want students to feel included and honor everyone's experience, while still experiencing school. We chose a lightbulb to help shine on new traditions at schools.

“Standards of Adulthood.“ Our idea is to rewrite the standards to focus on a adulting skills. Enough math to order flooring or do your taxes, an emphasis on understanding democracy and your role in it, and enough literacy to understand the world around you and communicate effectively. The large steppingstones are the pathway for the kids to reach the idealized multifaceted adulthood on the other side of the pond. Along the way the path branches and they can follow different pathways to build on things that intrigue them.

Play our game to find your element! Mistakes are honored as failing forward as students manage their own interests and learning decisions.

We are the joy-warriors! We blew up balloons representing traditional schooling: rows/hard desks, drop-off drudgery, silent student voices, bored unengaged students, disconnection, priority on testing. We popped each balloon to make room for FUN, collaboration, flexible schedules, flexible environments, excitement and LOVE! Viva la Joyzistance!!! Viva la Vida Joyzistance Haa!! So much fun!!! Thank YOU ! 🙏 💛😀

This is the ideal classroom, where students feel safe to learn and to take a break when needed. It is a happy place, with flexible seating to continue to empower students. The central idea is to build relationships, have flexibility and trust to create a community of loving students.

Connection, connectedness, community, self expression - these were the things we were focused on to bring joyzistence. Our prototype was to give each student their own stuffed monkey, koala, mouse, etc. to design and develop clothes, accessories, personality, etc. to help connect to one another and give them an outlet to encourage their self expression.

Our platform was what we felt is expected of us at times. Using the same content, environment, and curriculum without thinking of our students. Our tower was us breaking through those barriers with what we know our student want and need. Diversity, color, shapes, textures, non linear thinking.

We wanted to show a deeper connection between the school and the community. Breaking down the walls and bringing student and teacher experiences in to create a joyful learning experience inside and outside of the classroom.

Crushing traditional education!

FAST! What problems is a student passionate about and what skills and knowledge are needed to solve them? At FAST, emphasis is placed on standards of knowledge and skills that advance a student's passion. Many other standards are still addressed so we continue to develop well-rounded and informed creative and critical thinkers...but sorry, not every single standard can make the cut... and that's OK.

This is a Joyzistance Force Field that protects the classroom from all of the -isms and -phobias that accompany systemic oppression! BUT the force field is generated by the joy, love, and laughter in the classroom, so educators and young people have to intensional and diligent about cultivating Joyzistance perpetually!! Resistance through joy is everything! ❤️