Did you know, there’s a group of 9 students, putting a high priority on “experiential learning” and experimental class structure, with engagement, community building and sustainability at the heart? Well, now you do. They want to see positive changes made at the Burnaby Campus of SFU and beyond, and are committed to hearing (and creating space for) student voices, faculty and beyond about how to do that. (read more at http://www.sfu.ca/experiential/?p=144)

I had the joy of working with this dynamic group of young adults last week to get them on the same page as they plan out their big project. I took them through a personal reality check (context map), looking at their motivations, an inventory of their skills, what they value and what values they want to see in the world. We talked about their collective Change Lab group values. I lead them through a high energy appreciative inquiry retrospective visioning exercise and we launched into their mission and purpose from there. As the project was put in the context of a strategic plan, next steps were obvious. The group looked at what we had done in one afternoon and seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. “Now it’s clear,” one student commented.

Meetings can be about “seeing” something together, as you create it. It’s a collective and creative process, where everybody in the room has something unique and important to offer. I believe this class of senior undergrads is on to something. Experience, experiment, engage, community. Love it! Read more: Change Lab).

“The Change Lab is a collaboration and partnership between Sustainable SFU (Founding Partner), CityStudio, SFU Sustainability, the Faculty of Environment, the Institute for Environmental Learning, SFU Career Services and the Experiential Education project (Office of the Vice President Academic).” (from the website)