Discovery Labs

 

Discovery Labs are one of NCCEP’s strategies to facilitate peer networking, sharing, learning, and problem-solving. They are short-term working groups that use design thinking to come up with practical solutions to big challenges.

The goal is to solve problems with the people for whom they matter most and build strong working relationships within the GEAR UP community. The final output of the group may include a toolkit, guide, or recommendations.

“I enjoyed the process. I liked the opportunity to meet and work with other GEAR UP colleagues nationwide.”
-Discovery Lab Participant

Current Discovery Labs

Most Discovery Labs last 3 – 6 months with a time with a commitment of 2 – 4 hours / month.

Check back for future opportunities.

Past Discovery Labs

    • Challenge: Identify opportunities to standardize onboarding and enhance NCCEP’s programs for new professionals

    • Outcome: Expanded communication including an onboarding checklist and conference planning tool; redesign of the Coordinator Learning Lab and Study Lab to better serve new professionals

    • Participants: Adrienne Enriquez, Oregon GEAR UP; Dr. Alana Simmons, GEAR UP Dougherty (GA); Dara Self, Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP; Dina Ibarra, University of Washington GEAR UP; Dominica Scibetta, CSU Long Beach GEAR UP; J.R. Luyster, West Virginia GEAR UP; Rebeccah Lystash, GEAR UP Virginia

    • Challenge: Redesign the virtual Capacity-Building Workshop to meet the current needs of GEAR UP professionals

    • Outcome: National GEAR UP Academy

    • Participants: Melissa Lopez, Region One ESC GEAR UP; Jacque Deahl, GEAR UP Idaho; Lindsay Williams, K20 Center at The University of Oklahoma; Christopher Mutshnick, UCSC Educational Partnership Center-GEAR UP; Rebeccah Lystash, GEAR UP Virginia

    • Challenge: Increase STEM programming in GEAR UP

    • Outcome: NCCEP / GEAR UP STEM Toolkit

    • Participants: Steering Committee - Dr. James Beeler, Appalachian State University GEAR UP (NC); Dr. Alana Simmons, Dougherty County School System GEAR UP (GA); Dr. Tireka Cobb, Louisiana GEAR UP; Dr. Virginia Bolshakova, Indiana GEAR UP
      Discovery Lab Participants - Doug Thompson, Appalachian State University GEAR UP (NC); Loran L Mayes, Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP; Emily Yunes and Thaline Rodene, GEAR UP Manchester (NH); Aaron Mitchell, GEAR UP New Mexico; Tami Herrell, GEAR UP Opportunity / Berea College (KY); Madison Bloodgood, GEAR UP Wyoming; Brooke Stafford and Joshua Faith, Indiana GEAR UP; Laura LaLonde, Iredell-Statesville Schools GEAR UP (NC); Arturo Alva Jr., Jubilee Academies GEAR UP (TX); Felicia Armand, Jenny Moran, and Thomas Rudd, Louisiana GEAR UP; Christine Scafidi, Massachusetts GEAR UP; Laura Saavedra, Michigan GEAR UP; Jana Burd, Janet Stake, and Nicole Stella, Nevada GEAR UP; Amber Kelly, Pennsylvania GEAR UP; Aimee Castillo-Griffin, Region 12 GEAR UP (TX); Kristen Yip, University of Washington GEAR UP Achievers; Anita Long, Vermont GEAR UP; Michelle Parvinen, Washington State University Tri-Cities GEAR UP
      Partners - MAD-learn, Maker Ed, Texas Instruments, The University of Oklahoma K20 Center
      & 50+ Testers from the GEAR UP Community

    • Funder:The Cognizant Foundation