OK... so the issue of education reform is everywhere these days. It seems that you can't read a paper, go online, or tune in anywhere without hearing about the declining state of our schools and our poor international rankings particularly in math and science. Some say we should stay the course, some plead for reform, yet others demand a complete paradigm shift in the entire system, such as Sir Ken Robinson, who has become an internationally recognized leader in the development of education, creativity and innovation. The videos of his famous 2006 and 2010 talks to the prestigious TED Conference have been seen by an estimated 200 million people in over 150 countries.
His overall thesis and theme of many of his speeches is that schools are stifling our innate creative instincts and failing to prepare students for a 21st century economy, which is changing at an unprecedented rate. For those of you who may not be familiar with his perspective or would like to learn more please visit his website (Ken Robinson)
This particular topic resonates with me personally and has helped define the JAMLAB philosophy. While supporting an overall transformation in our education structure, JAMLAB seeks to connect with individuals in a personal way to help awaken their creative capacities that have gone dormant because of the mechanical methods of learning embedded in our academic and corporate organizations.
So... this brings me to an interesting story I discovered today. Evidently, Paypal founder Peter Thiel is backing up his claims that higher education doesn't prepare students to be successful entrepreneurs by offering 20 kids under 20 up to $100,000 to take time off of school to work on their business ideas (20 under 20). His overall message relates back to my previous blog. We LEARN, especially in the entrepreneurial domain, by DOING. The most inventive, successful business ventures were not born out of business schools or MBA programs. They were inspired by those who took the road less traveled.
Now... JAMLAB is not unequivocally supporting this venture, but it is certainly noteworthy... and this is why. It demonstrates a refreshing approach to innovation and entrepreneurial pursuits that goes beyond the boundaries of our schools. This is not to say that education is not important, if not vital to many career paths, including my own in architecture. The point is that it sometimes one needs to journey outside the classroom box to inspire their true passion. In essence, you need to work twice as hard to tap the innovation reservoir.
JAMLAB supports education restructuring, but with this caveat. The system will not change over night. It is naive to think so. So, while we fight to correct this alarming crisis in human resources, we must embrace alternative techniques. Is not about dropping out of school. It's about doing as well as you can within a compromised, outdated system, while simultaneously acknowledging that this in itself will not likely be enough to expose your calling.
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