WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

 

Link:  http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2013/09/where-are-we-going.html

Click on each photograph to see an enlargement.

For as long as I remember - every stinkin' time we get in the van -  the kids ask two things:

"Where are we going?"

and...

"Are we there yet?"

There have been times  I didn't want to explain.   I just wanted them to do what I asked them to do  - without  question - and do it quickly.

I learned a very important lesson.  

My "A-ha! Moment"  happened in 1999, when I was the Missouri and Kansas Regional Coordinator for  *Camp Invention, the HANDS-ON educational outreach program of the National Inventor's Hall of Fame sponsored in part by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

I gathered with other Camp Invention regional coordinators from around the USA  in Akron, Ohio.   An important part of our job was to learn how to successfully form partnerships with leadership in schools, museums and civic organizations. We participated in FUN team building exercises. 

 

We (adults) were given white paper jumpsuits to put on so we could autograph and draw on each other with markers.  When do YOU get to do that?!

Next - we were assigned partners, and asked to build SOMETHING from a kit with lots of little pieces. 

 

One person looked at a photo of the project, and the instructions,  and gave orders to their partner on how to assemble the THING.

It was frustrating...and not just because I wasn't the one giving orders.  I didn't have a clue where we were going - or what we were building.

Turns out we were supposed to be building a bridge.  

Ours looked nothing like a bridge.  Most of the others didn't either.

Building something with a partner/partners should be more than just the exchange of giving and receiving orders.  It should begin with a shared vision, and an invitation for others to add their talents and ideas to the process.  

Things don't always go smoothly - but it's a step in the right direction.

Where are you going?

Who did you invite to come along?

 Thanks for stopping by!

Come back often, and bring a friend!

Marcia Norwood,

America's STORYTELLER

Telling Untold Stories

in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking 

 

*Camp Invention 

(A Program of INVENT NOW) 

Hands-on Science Camp

  campinvention@invent.org  

 A WEEKLONG SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

FOR CHILDREN ENTERING GRADES ONE THROUGH SIX

 The Camp Invention program instills 

vital 21st century life skills
such as problem-solving and teamwork 

through hands-on fun!!!!