Innovation Camps
Also known as Creativity Camps or 24-hour Camps, Innovation Camps are a means of bringing students together to address and find solutions to a specific business challenge. They are the perfect way to educate and motivate key players such as teachers and business people about how to encourage entrereneurship in the classroom.
Purpose and process
Through 'learning by doing', to foster an understanding of the world of work and a spirit of entrepreneurship for students. Innovation Camp is an intense experience for students - they have to propose a solution within 24 hrs, given access to food, water, tools, information and resources. Team members may not know each other, will have to adapt to each other quickly and find out how to work together most efficiently. The camp starts with ice-breaking activities and group work to learn some basics about creative thinking. Students are not told about the problem until they are on-site. Then they split up into teams of 4-8 and launch into the problem-solving phase. They divide the different tasks among themselves while making use of everyone's individual strengths and developing their interpersonal skills.
Learning outcomes
Students can:
- Develop problem-solving and decision-making skills as well as further strengthening their interpersonal skills
- Learn to work on 'real' issues under very tight deadlines and to think creatively
- Build enterprising skills, attitudes and behaviours, including team work and cooperation, communication and presentation skills, self-reliance and a greater understanding of the business world
- Gain first-hand experience of how to move from theory to practice
Curricular or thematic relevance
The Camps are highly effective for steering young people towards business ideas of a more scientific and technological/ engineering nature - not always easily achieved in a traditional classroom context.
How to organise:
An extra-curricular activity, the Camps can be held virtually anywhere and at any time, generally lasting for a period of 24 hours.
Assessment and evaluation approaches
Ongoing throughout the Camp via discussion, reflection and presentation of ideas to others
Volunteer involvement
The contribution of external partners is essential in these events, e.g. for setting the business challenge to be addressed, running the programme and supporting/advising students in their quest to find solutions. Innovation Camps are a useful means of connecting schools with the local community/local businesses.
Additional comments
A manual in English (+ several languages) is available
Provider country
Norway
Provider Institution:
, JA Europe Belgium
helper do TM detail body (June 6th, 1st half)
Ben Peeters
19.02.2014
In Belgium we have been working with the concept of innovation camps for the age of 16 to 25 since 2010. We are very much convinced that this concept works! There is a high grade of involvement from participants, students as well as company experts.
Avramis
23.02.2014
We never had this kind of concept in Cyprus.It seems to me that the concept of innovation definitely needs to be developed in our country too.
Maria Jose
24.02.2014
It sounds really invigorating.I bet young people do love it and learn a lot by being exposed to this experience.It fosters creativity,cooperation,flexibility and interpersonal skills. It is a new tool to me but I wish we could try an Innovation Camp in my school in Madrid.I would love to be a camper!!
Aleksandra Hristic
26.02.2014
I believe this is a good method to excite and develop certain skills that are necessary in today's world. I would be happy to implement this tool in Serbia.
Kornelia
27.02.2014
This method is great. We took part at similar event in Slovakia and it was the best experience for the students. They felt responsibility and were eager to work with the support of tutors even in mixed groups from different schools. I love the idea that this can be held virtually. International groups would be great.
Mojca
01.03.2014
It's really perfect when we go out from the school in the nature and have activities there. I think pupils are more motivated. The event has to be prepared very precisely, specially with precise goals.
aris notis
04.04.2014
In my country (Greece) this project took place for the first time in April 1st, 2014. It was very good experience and I saw my students put a lot more effort than in their classroom.
The CEO of our mini company won the first award and travel to Madrid to participate in the Global Innovation Camp.
My opinion is that the collaboration with new persons, motivate the students to show their better personality, master their skills, and come up with new ideas. This project without a doubt is a unique experience for educators and students. I wish my school to take part every year.