A story
I once was invited to give a talk about technology and its impact on younger people. More importantly, its impact on society in the north of the Netherlands, where I live. Focused on how we can use that technology also to stop migration from villages to cities, keep young people in small communities, use technology to help solve local issues and more. My ride to that location was Peter, who turned out to be a principal of a school. Just like any other first meeting, it was kind of awkward, making conversation, etc. But is was nice. I did my talk, and then we drove back home.

Then we actually really met. He knew more about what I do, and because of that he told me about what he is doing at his school — a MacBook per child projects to customize and personalize education and more, and the fact that they will be building an entirely new school, and that all of his staff is participating in this, which is in my opinion an exceptional achievement. In my talk I also added some bits of Ken Robinson’s TED talk (the ‘My only hope for the future part’), which really touched him. I was so triggered by his ambition and passion that I offered to help him. I invited Peter to the Creative Company Conference which made him buy The Element for his staff to make them think. So since then we had a lot of talks, getting to know each other better and started dreaming about the ideal school. We decided to go for something wild, but a beautiful dream:

to create the best school for the Netherlands
(and maybe even the world)

Ambitious? Of course. But I’d rather strand half way of this goal then not trying it at all. We have a brilliant opportunity to work on e-ve-ry-thing — from the ways to teach, learning methods, usage of new technology to a entirely new campus that will be build, with all the decisions still to be made. So it can also become the perfect happy place; including all facilities for all kinds of sports, to a theatre and maybe even an Apple store. It’s the only place in the Netherlands where the openness to work on all levels is an option and we can even contribute to the actual place/building. And more importantly create a great example for a school educating kids from the age of 12 to 18/20.

Since a lot decisions still need to be made, I thought it might be a good idea to organize a moment with a wide variety of people, to think about on how we can use this opportunity to turn in into not just another school. But a place that can also inspire others to create places where young people can be educated in their whole being and, can become who they are and not what we want them to be.

So, I sent Peter an email last week with this proposal and started to invite people to join to think about the school you dream about, if you actually would have the opportunity to make it come true. If you dream about the ideal ’school’, what do you then think of? From the building, to learning methods, to what it means for the role of teachers, if we’re educating for existing jobs or future jobs that don’t exist yet, should it be bootcamp for life or perfect for a job, should it actually be a building, what should be the role of technology, distributed learning, play/games, etc.

In one week, a gathering with some people transformed into Project Dream School / Project Droom School. With one clear goal: making it happen, simply because the opportunity and commitment is there by Peter and his staff. Goal is to make Stad&Esch, Peter’s school, into the school we all dream about. To become great example that will hopefully will be so contagious we inspire other schools as well.

Tomorrow, a mix of education professionals, architects, designers, strategists, representatives from the city of Meppel (where the school will be built), teachers, students, parents gather for a kick-off. And three great people will join via Skype. A nice blend of local people, leading professionals and international influentials. Idea is to share everything we learn online.

Joining the meeting tomorrow
Sir Ken Robinson (via Skype), Jeff Jarvis (via Skype), John Moravec (via Skype), Roel van den Berg, Alrik Koudenburg, Ellen Mashhaupt, Bianca Geerts, Fons van den Berg, Rob van der Ploeg, Bram Verhave (Architecture historian STEK, advisor to Chief government Architect), Peter de Visser, Ton Dohle, Bjorn Eerkes, Maurice Mikkers, Lex Hupe, Arjan Dingsté, Hartger Meihuizen (staff Stad&Esch), Roel Fleurke (staff Stad&Esch), Koene Kisjes (student Stad&Esch), Christian Paauwe (student Stad&Esch), Bart Hoekstra (student Stad&Esch), Jan Albert Westenbrink, Annette Stekelenburg.