Hi <<First Name>>,
How a summer flies by! We hope yours, dear reader, has been a summer of reflection, creativity, and inspiration. What new questions are on your mind?
While it's impossible to capture all the summer happenings, Network highlights include:
- DFA facilitated our largest National Project ever, with 114 participants across seven time zones.
- Student Leaders advocated for equitable access to STEM learning opportunities.
- We attended the Future of Design in High Education (FDHE) conference, which featured so many stellar DFA Mentors.
Read on for more details and watch this space for all things DFA -- project highlights, insightful resources, reflection tools, professional opportunities, and more!
Glad to be back with y'all,
Alden + the DFA National Team
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Want a visit from DFA National?
Email us to set up an in-person gathering.
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Summer Design Accelerator with Unilever
DFA’s 2022 Summer Design Accelerator advanced a multi-year partnership with Unilever. This summer's challenge was: How can we build an authentic skincare movement that centers science, self-esteem, and healthy practices so everyone can love the skin they're in?
In response to an open call, 114 participants (from seven time zones!) joined the Summer Design Accelerator, making it DFA’s largest and most diverse National Project to date. Each week, teams focused on a different step of the design process, culminating in a two-part Expo. Innovative solutions included a new product line for men, digital diagnostic tools, peer-to-peer science education, a skincare festival, and daring marketing campaigns.
To these newly-minted DFAers, we say: CONGRATULATIONS! We're so grateful for your outstanding effort, openness, and creativity throughout the summer. Welcome to this remarkable community.
Our thanks and acknowledgement to Dr. Perry Sweeper, Kaleena Sales, MFA, Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon, and Omari Souza, MFA for helping to shape and support DFA's 2022 Summer Design Accelerator.
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YMCA Summer Design Experience
Over the summer, Student Leaders from the YMCA and Bank of America gathered to learn the design process and develop their skills as empathetic, innovative leaders.
After identifying a need for equitable access to stem education among high schoolers, the team applied the DFA design process to learn more about this challenge space and brainstorm solutions. Along the way, Student Leaders identified their next steps as change agents and developed lifelong skills, including systems thinking, empathy, and comfort with ambiguity. Key outcomes for the Student Leaders included insights about Professionalism, Teamwork, Networking, and Communication.
Here's the Reflection Zine template Student Leaders used for their weekly reflections. Feel free to use it for your own reflections or to support students you mentor.
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