Empowering learners to think creatively, work collaboratively with others, and implement innovations. 
Kicking Off the Summer with Utica Community Schools

On the first day of summer, HFLI had the opportunity to work with Utica Community Schools'  Stevenson MADE Academy educators in a three-day workshop at their school. 

In the photos above and below, you'll catch glimpses of them prototyping and practicing their storytelling. It's all a part of professional development that provides an introduction to design thinking and an experiential way of understanding how it can be implemented to deeply engage students and staff.

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Through Their Eyes

Learn about the Henry Ford Academy: Dearborn student experience through the Class of 2018's student-created video.                        


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Summer 2018 Design Thinking Workshops for Educators

Are you looking for a way to deeply engage your students and your staff in developing meaningful learning experiences? Do you want to create a culture that supports trying new ideas, builds creative confidence, and focuses on the future?

HFLI pairs deep expertise in education and strategic design skills to create a series of summer learning experiences for educators.  Our workshops are backed by a decade of experience and the feedback from past participants that has helped to refine them. 

97% of participants in HFLI's 2017 summer workshops would recommend the experience to a colleague. 

So, join us in Detroit (July) or San Antonio (August)! Both cities have rich histories, promising creative futures, and are working to create innovative, excellent schools for ALL students. Or, contact us to bring a workshop to your region, school, or district.

To make our Intro workshop more accessible to educators from  Title I schools, we are offering substantial scholarships. We also offer group discounts and discounts for those who have previously attended an HFLI workshop. Email us at designthinking@hfli.org with questions.


Creating an "Innovation Ecosystem" 

In June, the Ford Fund Community Impact Fellowship kicked off in partnership with HFLI. 

The fellowship is a collaboration of 12 college students from the US, UK and Nigeria -- young innovators and entrepreneurs who are currently participating in Ford-branded programs -- coming together to create an "innovation ecosystem". 

The vision? For these community leaders to connect with each other, connect with Ford and Ford Fund, share information, learn from each other, ask for help, and collaborate when feasible on projects and social enterprises so they can scale and sustain their efforts.    

HFLI designed and is facilitating this Ford Social Innovation Studio initiative to empower leaders across the Blue Oval Network to achieve a more collective and transformational impact in communities where the fellows work and live.

Elevate: The Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) 2018 National Conference 

"How do you elevate education for your community?" 

We all need to work together to level uneven outcomes for students. It was inspiring to learn about the work of so many dedicated educators from Ford NGL communities across the US during the Ford NGL national conference. 

To make immersive design thinking learning experiences, support for rigorous college and career preparation, and opportunities for deeper STEM learning more accessible, HFLI provides "in-family" scholarships and discounts to all Ford NGL communities. For more information, contact us at info@hfli.org. 


HFLI's Ford STEAM Lab Camps Introduce Middle Schoolers to STEM Careers and Tech Entrepreneurship

The demand for our Ford STEAM Lab Summer Camps has been incredible! 

With two camps in Detroit fully enrolled, we seized the opportunity to  partner with Lawrence Technological University's Detroit Center for Design + Technology to add a third, August 6th-10th. This comes on the heels of HFLI being highlighted in a Model D article that includes other great STEAM learning organizations in the city. 

All campers for the 5-day HFLI + LTU DCDT camp will attend at no cost thanks to the generous support of Ford Motor Company Fund, the Hudson-Webber Foundation, the Walmart Foundation and .design domains. 

You Can Support HFLI on Prime Day

Want your Prime Day shopping to make a difference? Amazon donates to HFLI when you shop deals starting at 3pm on July 16 and running through July 17!


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