From Knowledgebased to Creative Societies:

1
From Knowledge-based to Creative Societies
Dr. Rana el Kaliouby Research Scientist, MIT
Media Laboratory Co-Director, MIT-Egypt Adjunct
Faculty, AUC kaliouby_at_media.mit.edu

• Science Centers as Creativity Incubators

2
Passion for learning and creation ignited!
3
The Rise of the Creative Class Richard Florida
(2002)
We live in a time where human creativity ---the
ability to come up with new ideas and better ways
of doing thingsis the ultimate economic
resource. Just as knowledge-based workers
surpassed physical laborers in economic
importance, economies are changing yet again, and
the power is shifting to individuals who are
creative, as this is what ultimately raises
productivity and living standards.
4
Children Today
In todays world, it is not enough to read, write
and even be tech-savvy to be literate. Today,
being creative is a key component of being
literate.
5
Creativity Incubators
A place that facilitates creativity, prototyping,
experimentation and self-expression, where
children conceive new ideas, explore, take risks,
invent and test new concepts and ideas.
Center for Future ChildrenMIT Media Lab
6
Creativity IncubatorsFrom Informing to Empowering
MIT Media Lab replaces approaches that involve
transmitting or delivering information with
approaches that empower people to understand
the world around them by providing them with
opportunities to actively explore, experiment,
and express themselves.
7
Creative Learning for Children
8
Creative Learning for Children
9
Creative Learning for Children
10
Creative Learning for Children
11
Creative Learning for Children
12
Creative Learning for Children
13
Creative Learning for Children
14
PicoCrickets
15
Connecting People to Nature
THE EXPERIENCE Intro to crickets, divide into
groups, brainstorm, create THE HOOK You are
actively engaged in how things work, you get it,
you will remember it forever
16
Connecting People to Nature
17
Environmental SensorsUrban Exploration and
Pollution

• Weather proof, long-term deployable, no computer
• Dust
• Car pollutants
• Noise pollution
• Urban Planning political, econimic,
  environmental and spiritual implications

18
Connecting People to Nature
19
Creative Learning for Children
20
ScratchThe YouTube of Interactive Media
21
General Framework for Collaboration
Friend
FUNDING ORGANIZATION
SCIENCE CENTERS
Outreach
Research
New technologies
Outreach Activities 1- Immediate Access to
existing techs 2- Designing workshops 3- Tailor
to specific interest / culture 3- Train staff 4-
Early access / test bed for new research
Research Activities 1- Support Research
Fellows 2- Work on new challenges 3- Generate new
technologies / IP
22
Friend
MUSEUMS CENTERS
Outreach
Research
New technologies

• Outreach Activities
• Pilot Crickets at partner museums
• Science Museum of Minnesota
• The Exploratorium
• American Visionary Art Museum
• Fort Worth Museum
• Lemelson Center (Smithsonian)
• MIT Museum

Research Activities 1- Support Research
Fellows 2- Invent PicoCrickets
23
Children Art Museum and ParkJapan
Friend
Outreach
Research
New technologies
Outreach Activities 1- Immediate Access to
existing techs 2- Designing workshops 3- Tailor
to specific interest / culture 3- Train staff 4-
Early access / test bed for new research
Research Activities 1- Support Research
Fellows 2- Work on new challenges 3- Generate new
technologies / IP
24
Conclusion Creativity Incubators
25
Thank You
For more information Dr. Rana el
Kaliouby kaliouby_at_media.mit.edu
http//web.media.mit.edu/kaliouby Center For
Future Children http//www.media.mit.edu/okawa