Without question, the pandemic has rocked our world and challenged our established modes of learning in ways we couldn’t have imagined, and forced us to adopt innovative approaches and problem solve at a rapid pace. Artik’s visionary presentation at the 2018 conference in Chicago, Shifting the Paradigm, was shared with a standing room only audience. Little did we know that a pandemic would move schools and learning more rapidly to the hybrid learning model we proposed. Thus, the 2021 conference call for conceptual models for 2070 is a welcome invitation to build upon the vision we imagined for 2035 and evolve it forward to 2070. Our team will revisit the realms of holistic pedagogical philosophy, neuroscience, and technology to tap into how the pandemic has shifted thinking since 2018. As we gather perspectives from a cross age, diverse and international group, our broad inquiry will also serve as the basis to imagine fast forwarding our vision for learning and place nearly 50 years into the future. We will explore the idea that Place is inside of us; in our feeling connected to space through our meaningful experiences and special moments with others. Human connection is the basis for holistic wellbeing and ultimately, the survival of the planet. Place has the power to nurture this connection, to ground us in our true potential, and bring aliveness to our authentic self. We will begin by sharing the original 10 minute video from our 2018 A4LE presentation. This will be followed by a video exploration of a range of perspectives on the impact of the pandemic on communities and learners and what learning and community will look like in 2070, including how our original 3D model animations evolved in response to this inquiry. Group discussion will follow, guided by thought provoking questions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Consider different ways to imagine education taking place in a post-pandemic world.
2. Explore the trends that will affect the evolution of society and community.
3. Explore what’s possible in the transformation of school design.
4. Stimulate discussion between people from different backgrounds, geographical locations, and with different perspectives.

Linda Stevenin, M.Ed., Strategic Initiatives, Artik Art & Architecture
Linda is an architect, educator, and dreamer. In her Strategic Initiatives role at Artik, she brings her wisdom from 30+ years working with K-12 schools and Silicon Valley companies to special projects. Linda coached the team that put together Artik’s 2018 A4LE Presentation. Prior to Artik, Linda was with Summit Public Schools; as Director of Facilities, she designed learning spaces for innovative schools and earlier served as Director of Summit’s unique experiential Intersession Program.

Carol Passmore, LPC, Holistic, Trauma Informed Psychotherapist and Parent Coach
Carol is a psychotherapist, parent/family coach and advocate, children’s behavior specialist, and community learning visionary. She focuses on guiding children and families to access learning through a holistic trauma-informed approach. Carol has worked more than 25 years in schools, nonprofits and private practice which has led her to formulate a new inclusive vision of healthy communities that foster positive growth in mental, emotional and physical wellbeing through community building, healthy connected relationships with family, community and nature and a belief in continuous lifelong learning.