Within the areas of STEM, Digital and Design Technologies, project and inquiry-based learning and innovative design approaches, there are many success stories across the Archdiocese and other school systems in our area. However, there are still many pathways untraveled about how to develop a STEM culture within schools. We recognised this and began sharing our ideas with each other, via both Google Hangouts and informal in-person meetings. Between us we developed a dialogue focused on critical feedback and solutions. Recognising that others teachers have many successes to share, we decided to cast our net further. As a result, The INNovator’s Network was born out of a need to reimagine, create, foster and extend opportunities for teachers to share their innovations and hear about the wonderful things happening in other schools around them.

The INNovator’s Network, nicknamed The INN, invites teachers from around Canberra and surrounding areas to share their ideas in an informal setting. Meetups are based on a particular topic and teachers are encouraged to share their experiences.

We love the phrase “the wisdom is in the room” and value the input of others. In an effort to approach professional learning from a different angle, conversations are allowed to flow between topics, depending on the interest and needs of the group.

We believe firmly that much of the success of our school STEM programs at St Gregory’s Queanbeyan and St Thomas the Apostle Kambah is attributed to this professional learning and collaboration model, as well as the support and encouragement of our principals, Clare Frazer and Ursula Jamieson.

To gain a wider network we decided to put our conversations ‘to tape’, so to speak, and there our podcast was born. The INN podcast has led to some great recordings, particularly our recent interviews with Deputy-Director Angus Tulley on School Leadership & Innovation and US Marine Gary Slater on Critical Thinking. We have also created an official presence online with our Twitter account, which in conjunction with our personal accounts, has led to a lot of really great professional dialogue with educators locally and internationally.

We are still really forming the core of our INNovator’s Network ‘tribe’ with other great teachers and leaders from across CE, however, we are always keen to connect with more people. We have some great professional learning workshops coming up throughout the year and some excellent interviewees scheduled for future podcasts. Keep your eye on the bulletin board for upcoming TeachMeets, professional learning opportunities and collaborative workshops.

Written by Garreth Wigg and Luke Mooney AKA ‘The Innkeepers’

Follow The INNovator’s Network on Twitter: @inn_network

Subscribe to the Podcast: bit.ly/theinnpodcastsubscribe