The Principled Innovation Academy model
Bridge classroom learning to real-world impact. Students work on challenges that matter, mentored by experts who know the field.
What is PI Academy?
PI Academy has created experiences that unite students from varying interdisciplinary backgrounds around a single topic. This shared focus enables comparison of approaches, engages larger groups efficiently, and connects challenges to what students care about most.
Why it matters
When students tackle challenges rooted in their own interests and experiences—working alongside peers, mentors, and experts—they bridge classroom learning to real-world problem solving. Students deepen their understanding and build practical skills through a Principled Innovation framework that focuses them on improving their community and the world. Industry experts and nonprofit leaders provide feedback grounded in their professional expertise and industry expectations, guiding students to ideate solutions that have an impact beyond classroom theory.
Our sessions are supported learning environments
built on design thinking principles.
We bring in expert judges, mentors, and keynote speakers whose work relates directly to the topic. Their expert guidance helps students examine solutions from multiple perspectives and consider different stakeholder needs, constraints, and implications.
The Principled Innovation framework is built on four interconnected character domains—moral, civic, intellectual and performance.
Get started
Throughout the competition, a series of carefully designed phases guides and structures the experience, from initial preparation through final pitch.
Prepare
Learn about the problem, think critically, register and complete your workbook, and learn about the matching process.
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Meet
All day, in-person session working alongside peers and experts as your concepts evolve and strengthen.
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Pitch
From idea to impact. Present your solution to expert judges, receive structured feedback, and celebrate what you've created together.
Get StartedContact us
Have questions about creating the Principled Innovation Academy model? Feel free to reach out.
