August 15, 2012
by
Jason LaFay
Form Innovation Groups at Local Schools
The Google Fiber can facilitate innovative relationships between companies, nonprofit foundations, universities, colleges, governments etc. with school districts. Innovation groups that comprise educators, students, parents and other community members can create cutting edge learning opportunities such as:
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An example of this is to have students interview a foreign head of state and other significant business/political/academic leaders via video conferencing
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Fundraise money to buy imported goods from other countries to sell in the school store (after they have researched specific nations, markets, products and global supply chains)
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Create an annual regional innovation fair where schools publicize cutting edge programs and projects related to: entrepreneurialism, the arts, technology, science, and mathematics
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Have students work with local business startups on marketing materials where students receive course credit and recognition in exchange for designing a logo, e-mail newsletter, Web site, social media campaign etc.
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Have students adopt-a-country for a semester or year and promote awareness of the country throughout the Bistate regions using Google Fiber
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Students could attend important business functions and network with professionals in applicable field of intetrest.
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Students interested in alternative energy careers can be trained in providing free energy audits for local businesses
These are just a few ideas of innovative collborations that the Google Fiber could provide students to use their talents to contribute to economic development and their own self-growth.
Jason LaFay
DeWitt High School/DeWitt Creativity Group (www.dewittcreativitygroup.org)
contact: LafayJason@gmail.com