Conclusion

Practicing problem-solving is a form of creating hope for change. When participants feel heard, are respected for their lived experiences, and are able to imagine a future different from the one associated with fear, the work succeeds.

Ideas we see today were imagined by people who came before us. If we want a future that prioritizes love, humanity, and care, we need to practice with our students a different way of problem-solving and imagining. The activities, structures, and facilitation choices throughout the process—from community agreements to problem framing and judging criteria—teach students that their thinking matters, different perspectives strengthen solutions, and imagining change is possible.

With thanks to our funders

Principled Innovation Academy is an ecological model of Principled Innovation . It guides our ability to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas and form new solutions, guided by principles that increase the possibility for humans and communities to flourish.

Principled Innovation is one of nine design aspirations that guides the ongoing evolution of ASU as a New American University. Practicing Principled Innovation at ASU ensures we place character and values at the center of decisions and actions.

The Principled Innovation Framework originated in the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation where it was co-created by faculty, staff, students, and community partners. A generous gift from the Kern Family Foundation in 2017 supported the development of the framework, tools and resources and the college’s efforts to integrate Principled Innovation into the systems of teacher and leader preparation. The Kern Family Foundation continues to support Principled Innovation through investments that catalyze Principled Innovation across Arizona State University.