Teachers
We believe imagination is the superpower of the 21st Century
In a time of rapid global change, the ability to imagine and experiment without fixed outcomes is more important than ever, yet increasingly rare. The World Economic Forum estimates that 65% of children entering primary school today will work in jobs that do not yet exist.
Imagination is the ability to form mental images, concepts, or ideas that are not present in one's immediate sensory environment. It allows individuals to explore new possibilities, solve problems creatively, and envision different perspectives.
At the Institute of Imagination (iOi), we want every child to have the skills and opportunity to imagine and achieve their fullest potential. We focus on two key outcomes for children:
Building creativity: By creating the space, tools, and opportunities for creativity to thrive through creative learning experiences across the arts, sciences and digital technologies
Sparking aspiration: Our work opens up opportunities for children to build skills, ambition and inspire possibilities in regard to their future
Learn more about our work
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Listen to iOi Executive Director, Tom Doust, on the Well Schools Podcast. In this episode, Tom discusses the power of imagination, and how things such as play and creativity fuel productivity.
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"One of my students used to throw his work in the bin or punch a wall — but without a fixed goal to fail against, he was able to engage fully."
— Creative Sparks Cohort 1 Teacher Feedback
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"I was nervous about doing the activities myself, but now I’ve learned how and developed the skills, I can use it with my class."
— Creative Sparks Cohort 1 Teacher Feedback
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"Giving my students the independence and freedom to experiment has made them more engaged — even if the outcome wasn’t perfect, the learning was."
— Creative Sparks Cohort 1 Teacher Feedback
Why our work?
Institute of Imagination’s (iOi) learning experiences go beyond traditional STEM to offer rich, hands-on STEAM learning experiences. By integrating the arts and design with science, technology, engineering and mathematics, iOi nurtures creativity, imagination and design thinking alongside technical understanding, helping students make deeper, more meaningful connections with the world around them.
iOi’s approach is grounded in powerful educational theories such as constructionism, tinkering, learning through play, habits of mind and embodied cognition, meaning students learn by actively making, building, experimenting and reflecting rather than passively receiving information.
Through playful, project-based experiences, children develop iOi’s eight core competencies: curiosity, creativity, criticism, communication, collaboration, compassion, composure and citizenship; skills that are essential for lifelong learning and future success. In an iOi activity, students explore real-world challenges, work collaboratively, learn from trial and error, and use their bodies, senses and imaginations to think deeply, building confidence, resilience and a genuine love of learning.
Find out more about theories underpining our work
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It is based on the idea that students learn best when they are actively involved in constructing and creating things in a social and collaborative environment.
The process of creating something tangible helps students develop a deeper understanding of the concepts and ideas they are learning. It is believed that by actively constructing and manipulating objects, students engage in a process of learning that is more meaningful and memorable.
This approach encourages students to take ownership of their learning and become active participants rather than passive recipients of information.
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recognises the power of play in fostering children's holistic development and learning. The Lego Foundation believes that play is a natural and effective way for children to explore, experiment, and make sense of the world around them. Through play, children engage in hands-on experiences that promote creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.
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The habits of mind approach to STEM education is a teaching and learning framework that focuses on developing students' cognitive and intellectual skills and dispositions. The goal of this approach is to help students become more effective problem-solvers and critical thinkers by cultivating certain habits of mind, such as persistence, flexibility, and metacognition.
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In simple terms, embodied cognition suggests that we learn and understand things better when we engage our bodies and senses in the learning process. It recognises that our bodies play a vital role in how we think and learn and that by using our senses and physical actions, we can enhance our understanding of concepts and ideas.
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Fun things happen here
Try these activities with your classroom
Our activities are designed to fit your schedule and resources. You can choose from quick, low-effort options or dive deeper with more comprehensive activities that explore techniques in depth and involve some additional preparation.
