The Innovation Ecosystem Project aims to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for the innovation economy through intentional, experiential learning and conducting research to establish the evidence base around the competencies needed to flourish in innovation age–such as self-awareness, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
We support students in cultivating active engagement and flourishing across their career course by providing funded accounts and a digital platform that students can use on campus and in the community for experiences that build, among other competencies, trust, rapport, and perspective taking. Experiential learning increases students’ confidence by engaging them in meaningful group work, structured reflection, and insight into themselves and their teammates. It is designed to address gaps in traditional higher education coursework by focusing on authentic connection, empathy, collaboration, and creativity.
We recruit students enrolled in Penn State classes with semester-long group projects. By working directly with professors and instructors, we customize the activities to meet their objectives and align with the content and structure of the course. Students are generally organized into small peer groups that participate in both in-class and out-of-class experiential learning. These experiences are designed to cultivate skills like trust, empathy, creativity, authentic connection, and shared meaning through immersive, hands-on learning.
In the classroom, students engage in interactive experiences such as LEGO Serious Play and card-based games that foster discussion, creative problem-solving, and team-building.
Outside the classroom, students participate in ‘third-space’ experiences across the State College area, set in locations such as museums, farmers’ markets, local culinary spaces, and food banks. The students use the ‘For The Future’ app, which prompts research-based activities and structured reflection. The app captures changes in students’ competencies, mindsets, and confidence through structured and unstructured data.
Our goal is to provide a low-cost, scalable platform that supports students’ well-being and long-term personal and professional success. After participating in the project, students report feeling more connected—to themselves, others, and their larger communities.
The project is a joint venture supported by the SPARC Foundation and Penn State and housed in the Design4Impact Incubator.
If you’d like to learn more or inquire about how the program could be customized for your class, contact Kerry Small at kls410@psu.edu.
Partners: SPARC Foundation; Noble Reach Foundation; Penn State's Philadelphia Outreach Center; Smeal College of Business; Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management; Invent Penn State, Social Science Research Institute at Penn State. Third-Space Community Partners: 2000 Degrees; Blue Brick Theatre; Climb Nittany; Famous Ernie’s Steaks; Lion’s Pantry; Local Whiskey; LoveIt; McLanahan's Downtown; Nittany Meadow Farm; Northland Bowl & Recreation Center; Out of the Cold; Centre County; Palmer Museum of Art; Pavilion Theatre; Penn State Berkey Creamery; State College Downtown Farmer’s Market; State College Food Bank; The Arboretum at Penn State; The Corner Room; The Nittany Quill; Tussey Mountain Ski & Recreation; Uncle Eli’s Artist Marketplace & Frame Shop; Uptown Cheapskate Downtown; Webster’s Café; What-A-Blast Laser Tag; Wreck-It Rage Room; YMCA of Centre County
Project Funder(s)
Project Focus Area(s)
Developmental Period(s)
The Innovation Ecosystem Project aims to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for the innovation economy through intentional, experiential learning and conducting research to establish the evidence base around the competencies needed to flourish in innovation age–such as self-awareness, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
We support students in cultivating active engagement and flourishing across their career course by providing funded accounts and a digital platform that students can use on campus and in the community for experiences that build, among other competencies, trust, rapport, and perspective taking. Experiential learning increases students’ confidence by engaging them in meaningful group work, structured reflection, and insight into themselves and their teammates. It is designed to address gaps in traditional higher education coursework by focusing on authentic connection, empathy, collaboration, and creativity.
We recruit students enrolled in Penn State classes with semester-long group projects. By working directly with professors and instructors, we customize the activities to meet their objectives and align with the content and structure of the course. Students are generally organized into small peer groups that participate in both in-class and out-of-class experiential learning. These experiences are designed to cultivate skills like trust, empathy, creativity, authentic connection, and shared meaning through immersive, hands-on learning.
In the classroom, students engage in interactive experiences such as LEGO Serious Play and card-based games that foster discussion, creative problem-solving, and team-building.
Outside the classroom, students participate in ‘third-space’ experiences across the State College area, set in locations such as museums, farmers’ markets, local culinary spaces, and food banks. The students use the ‘For The Future’ app, which prompts research-based activities and structured reflection. The app captures changes in students’ competencies, mindsets, and confidence through structured and unstructured data.
Our goal is to provide a low-cost, scalable platform that supports students’ well-being and long-term personal and professional success. After participating in the project, students report feeling more connected—to themselves, others, and their larger communities.
The project is a joint venture supported by the SPARC Foundation and Penn State and housed in the Design4Impact Incubator.
If you’d like to learn more or inquire about how the program could be customized for your class, contact Kerry Small at kls410@psu.edu.
Project Funder(s)
Project Focus Area(s)
Developmental Period(s)
Partners
SPARC Foundation; Noble Reach Foundation; Penn State's Philadelphia Outreach Center; Smeal College of Business; Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management; Invent Penn State, Social Science Research Institute at Penn State. Third-Space Community Partners: 2000 Degrees; Blue Brick Theatre; Climb Nittany; Famous Ernie’s Steaks; Lion’s Pantry; Local Whiskey; LoveIt; McLanahan's Downtown; Nittany Meadow Farm; Northland Bowl & Recreation Center; Out of the Cold; Centre County; Palmer Museum of Art; Pavilion Theatre; Penn State Berkey Creamery; State College Downtown Farmer’s Market; State College Food Bank; The Arboretum at Penn State; The Corner Room; The Nittany Quill; Tussey Mountain Ski & Recreation; Uncle Eli’s Artist Marketplace & Frame Shop; Uptown Cheapskate Downtown; Webster’s Café; What-A-Blast Laser Tag; Wreck-It Rage Room; YMCA of Centre County
