Maureen McMahon, Ph.D.Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Innovation: introduction of something new, in customs, rites, commercial products, etc.

Merriam Webster

Innovation: A change in a product offering, service, business model or operations which meaningfully improves the experience of a large number of stakeholders

Hutch Carpenter

Vice President, Spigit

"The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas."

— Dr. Linus Pauling

"Capital isn't so important in business. Experience isn't so important. You can get both these things. What is important is ideas. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn't any limit to what you can do with your business and your life."

— Harvey Firestone

M. A. Rosanoff: "Mr. Edison, please tell me what laboratory rules you want me to observe.“

Edison: "There ain't no rules around here. We're trying to accomplish somep'n!"

— Thomas Edison

"To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science."

— Albert Einstein

"Once we rid ourselves of traditional thinking we can get on with creating the future."

— James Bertrand

"The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail."

— Edwin H. Land

“I was worth over $1,000,000 when I was 23, and over $10,000,000 when I was 24, and over $100,000,000 when I was 25, and it wasn’t that important because I never did it for the money.”

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

— Steve Jobs

"The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas."— Dr. Linus Pauling

"Capital isn't so important in business. Experience isn't so important. You can get both these things. What is important is ideas. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn't any limit to what you can do with your business and your life."— Harvey Firestone

M. A. Rosanoff: "Mr. Edison, please tell me what laboratory rules you want me to observe."Edison: "There ain't no rules around here. We're trying to accomplish somep'n!"— Thomas Edison

"To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science."— Albert Einstein

"Once we rid ourselves of traditional thinking we can get on with creating the future."— James Bertrand

"The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail."— Edwin H. Land

“I was worth over $1,000,000 when I was 23, and over $10,000,000 when I was 24, and over $100,000,000 when I was 25, and it wasn’t that important because I never did it for the money.”“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

— Steve Jobs

Does school-based learning as we know it lead to innovation?

Are those who love the STEM disciplines truly receiving what they need to become innovators?

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

― Nelson Mandela

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

― Nelson Mandela

…but what should that education look like???

In AACPS we imagine an environment where students work to solve local and global interdisciplinary community-based problems hand in hand with their peers, teachers, mentors, community partners and STEM professionals in residence within the local community. Imagine students learning and working in a challenging, high-tech atmosphere where collaboration is expected and questioning and critical thinking are routine.

In AACPS we imagine students experiencing a learning environment steeped  in integrated project/problem-based learning, taking advanced STEM coursework, availing themselves of STEM-Art, STEM-Policy and other non-STEM sounding offerings, engaging in STEM job shadow experiences, summer bridges, co-curricular clubs, and research internships - all throughout their  formal K-12 schooling experience.

Upon graduation, our AACPS students will have

JOY for learning in formal and informal settings, 21st century communication, presentation and workplace

skills, project management and team leadership expertise, STEM research and publication experience, advanced or AP coursework in all disciplines, international awareness and perspectives, local and global social consciousness, passion for self-chosen STEM topics or themes, sense for what elements contribute to a balanced life, and

a commitment to lifelong learning. 

We are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday, and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet.

Margaret Mead

Maureen McMahon, Ph.D.Anne Arundel County Public Schoolsmmmcmahon@aacps.org