Design and innovation—that’s our thing. But we don't do it alone. From curious students to bold faculty partners, we collaborate with thinkers and doers from every corner of campus to turn big ideas into real-world impact. This space is where we share stories of creativity, collaboration, and the unexpected moments that design brings to life. Dive in and explore how innovation unfolds in classrooms, across disciplines, and out in the world; one experiment at a time.
Featured Stories
Anntoinette Barbour Reimagining How She Works
Anntoinette from the Quantum Startup Foundry participated in the Teaching and Learning Studio (TLS) in summer 2024.
From Peer Innovation Coach to Game Creator
What starts in The Loft doesn’t stay there! Xinyi Zhang turned a heartfelt chat into Sea My Culture—a vibrant board game celebrating global cultures.
500 friends but no one to play with
In a digital age, how do we truly connect with ourselves and others in intentional ways? IDEA360: 500 friends but no one to play with is a course that explores this question and more.
Stories of collaboration and experimentation
Bringing an Idea to Life
When our friends at the Office of Innovation first reached out about hosting something for Henson Day, Academy teammates Christina Hnatov and Nick Ocasio began reflecting on the possibilities. The connection between the work the Academy engages in and Jim and Jane Henson’s legacy quickly became cle...View Article Details for Bringing an Idea to Life 
Noticing as an Act of Possibility
Over the course of this year, we’ve highlighted a few stories centered around the work of Christina Hnatov, the Academy’s Curriculum and Experience Designer. From her Experiential Learning Voyage in Spain to her co-development of IDEA360: 500 friends but no one to play with, Christina has been spend...View Article Details for Noticing as an Act of Possibility 
From Peer Innovation Coach to Game Creator
At The Academy, we love seeing students take their learning beyond The Loft and into the real world. That’s exactly what Xinyi Zhang did when she transformed a personal conversation into an impactful, multicultural board game called Sea My Culture.Xinyi’s journey with us began during her first year ...View Article Details for From Peer Innovation Coach to Game Creator 
IDEA360: 500 friends but no one to play with
In a digital age where interactions often feel fleeting, how do we truly connect with ourselves and others in more intentional ways? IDEA360: 500 Friends but No One to Play With is a new course we’re offering this spring, that explores this question and more. It’s designed to help students reimagine...View Article Details for IDEA360: 500 friends but no one to play with