[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]Media contact: Jessalyn Holdcraft, NewBoCo
jessalyn@newbo.co
NewBoCo partners with Iowa BIG, Scrum Alliance to bring AgileEDU to Iowa educators
AgileEDU focuses on rethinking the 21st century classroom and giving educators Agile learning to utilize in their classrooms
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, June 1, 2017 – NewBoCo has partnered with Iowa BIG and Scrum Alliance to bring AgileEDU to Iowa educators on Friday, June 2. AgileEDU is a daylong workshop for educators, educational leaders, and legislators to learn about and explore the use of Agile principles and methods in schools; it is the first event of its kind in Iowa.
“With the innovative Iowa BIG program happening in this building, our statewide computer science curriculum and STEM clubs, and our deep focus on Agile with entrepreneurs, this was a logical next step for us. This event brings together a group of the world’s best thinkers and our region’s educational leaders for a day to explore the future of education. Iowa truly is a leader in education innovation,” NewBoCo Executive Director Eric Engelmann said.
NewBoCo is an aggressive user of agile in aligning organizational strategy with performance. IowaBIG is an innovative school pioneering unique ways to create engagement and accountability with students and teachers. Together, they are looking to bring new ideas to teachers and educational leaders in Iowa by exploring the global Agile movement and its potential impact on schools, as well as lessons learned from other schools already experimenting with Agile in classrooms around the world.
“Iowa BIG is an exemplar of what public education can become if we dream big enough,” said John Miller, founder of Agile Classrooms. “I am excited and humbled to be part of this event to share how Agile can help this group and other Iowa schools accelerate and strengthen their work. With the knowledge and tools these professionals will take back to their classrooms, together we are growing and expanding the number of innovative 21st-century learners.”
Scrum Alliance® is a global professional membership and certification association representing Scrum and Agile practitioners who are transforming the world of work. Today, it announced its support of AgileEDU, taking place June 2 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“Scrum Alliance is proud to support the Agile in Education movement in the United States and around the world with educators who are making it their mission to change the way students learn and teachers teach. This type of event in Iowa this week demonstrates another way Scrum Alliance is committed to help transform the world of work, by teaching the next generation of workers a better way to do their work,” said Lisa Hershman, interim CEO for Scrum Alliance.
Short term, AgileEDU aims to expose educators, educational leadership, and legislators to Agile and how it can be used in their classrooms, schools, and districts. Long term, the goal is for Iowa to continue to be a leader through innovative educational practices, with AgileEDU as a resource for educational leaders worldwide.
About NewBoCo
The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative is a nonprofit with the mission to accelerate world-changing ideas, from Iowa. The organization aims to create impactful startup businesses that grow here through its Iowa Startup Accelerator program and more; to foster world-class technical and creative talent via innovative educational programs for kids and adults; to assist thriving, innovative companies in developing new products and attracting the best talent through corporate innovation programs; and to make an outstanding social impact and make the world a better place. Since 2014, the program has grown dramatically, helping hundreds of startups get off the ground and grow, and thousands of children learn to code.
About Iowa BIG
Iowa BIG is Iowa’s initiative-based high school experience and is a partnership of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, the College Community School District (Prairie), and the Linn Mar Community School District. Iowa BIG helps students become makers, designers, social entrepreneurs, and storytellers by creating curriculum with business, nonprofits, and government agencies. Iowa BIG, visioned by and for our community, seeks to be an emerging example of a truly learner-centered school. Instead of being driven by curriculum, courses, and seat time, BIG is driven by learner passion and interest, authentic and “messy” problems and projects, and high engagement with a networked and caring community beyond the walls of the school.
About Agile Classrooms
With the first Agile Classroom of fourth graders in 2010, educators saw their students grow into collaborative, self-directed, and innovative learners integrating 21st-century skills throughout their learning. Since then, Agile Classrooms has partnered with educators throughout the world to transform their schools into authentic 21st-century learning environments that achieve in today’s educational landscape and prepare students for the future.
About Scrum Alliance
Founded in 2001, Scrum Alliance® is the largest, most established and influential professional membership and certification organization in the Agile community. Scrum Alliance is a nonprofit association with more than 500,000 certified practitioners worldwide. Its vision is to “Transform the World of Work” with a mission to guide and inspire individuals, leaders, and organizations with practices, principles, and values that create workplaces that are joyful, prosperous, and sustainable. For more information, please visit scrumalliance.org.[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]