Overview
What Do We Do?
K12 Lab Network is a catalyst for the national movement to bring design thinking into schools and to help communities think beyond current school models. We empower educators and innovators of many stripes to experiment in order to show that improvement and change are possible.
To envision and create powerful models for teaching and learning, we ask some big questions about the future of school, questions like:
- How might we reimagine high school?
- How might we reinvent professional development for educators?
- How might we help school leaders hack toward deeper learning?
Want to connect?
Visit our office hours on Mondays from 3:30-5:30PM. Please email K12@dschool.stanford.edu to reserve a time. You may use that email for any other inquiries.
Join the #DTK12chat every Wednesday 9pmET/6pmPT.
Explore the global network of educators practicing design thinking with our Design Thinking in Schools Map
Join In
Shadow a Student Challenge
See school through a student's eyes
Deeper Learning Puzzle Bus
Build escape rooms for deeper learning
K12 Professional Development
Our set of workshop offerings
Opportunities from the Network
Upcoming design thinking experiences
K12 Lab Network Wiki
See resources, curriculum and activities from previous workshops
K12 Lab Network Community Email
Stay up-to-date with resources & happenings
Team Members
Jennifer Walcott Goldstein
Co-Director, School Retool
Laura McBain
K12 Lab Director of Community and Implementation
Louie Montoya
Designer in Residence, K12 Lab Network
Ariel Raz
Learning Experience Designer, K12 Lab Network
Sam Seidel
Director of K12 Strategy + Research
Susie Wise
Strategic Advisor, School Retool
Peter Worth
Co-Director, School Retool
Devon Young
Program Manager, K12 Lab Network
Latest Updates
Substantial Sprint
Read moreGet Answers
What kinds of professional development does the K12 Lab Network offer?
School Retool is a professional development fellowship that helps school leaders redesign their school’s culture using small, scrappy experiments called “hacks.” Hacks may start small, but they’re built on research-based practices that lead to Deeper Learning, and can create the kind of big changes school leaders strive to create.
Discover Design Thinking workshops are 2-day deep-dives in the process. Educators have a chance to practice design thinking as well as determine how to bring this practice home to their local context.
Design Thinking Bursts give novices a 2-hour experience of the process and mindsets through a rapid design challenge.
Design Thinking Deep Dives are fee-based collaborations with schools, organizations, and districts to design a context-specific challenge frame. This experience can take place at the d.school or on location. Contact us to learn more.
Can I connect with the K12 Lab?
Yes! We love connecting with educators, innovators and other individuals and groups interested in the education innovation space. Below are some ways to get in touch:
Connect on social media: The K12 Lab Network maintains an active Instagram account, Facebook page, and Twitter account. Check out #DTK12chat, a weekly Twitter chat on design thinking in K-12 education, held on Wednesdays from 6-7 PM PST.
Subscribe to our mailing list: All of our offerings are announced in our monthly network email, as well as stories from the field.
Come to office hours: We hold office hours on Mondays weekly from 3:30-5:30. Reserve a spot here.
Tour the d.school: We offer tours of the d.school for educators and students once a month. If you’d like to join an upcoming tour, submit your request here.
Can the K12 Lab come to my school or organization?
Since we operate as a part of Stanford and are located in the Bay Area, most of our offerings are clustered around the region, including San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Oakland. We do occasionally offer programs in other areas. If you’re interested in pursuing such an opportunity, please get in touch with us.
How can I find other educators who are using DT in their work?
There are lots of educators doing great things with design thinking in their schools and organizations across the globe. To find other like-minded design thinkers, you can:
• Add your school or organization to our Design Thinking in Schools map
• Follow us on Twitter, and join the #DTK12 chat on Wednesdays from 6-9 PM PST
• Join our Facebook group of educators
• Sign up for our network email to see what’s happening in the world of #DTK12