Sparking Innovation in Children Through STEM Exploration

Richard Cox, Jr. is the STEM Program Coordinator at Advocate Health, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this role, he supports STE(A)M education initiatives for the enterprise, focusing on programming and outcomes for K-8 learners through work at The Pearl Innovation District in Charlotte (www.thepearlclt.com) and Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem. With over 15 years of research and hands-on experience in transdisciplinary and integrated learning, Dr. Cox has championed STEAM education across diverse settings, from Kentucky to Chicago to North and South Carolina, engaging learners of all ages. Dr. Cox holds a Doctorate in Education and Social Change, specializing in mathematics, science, and transdisciplinary STEAM approaches. His academic career includes a pivotal role as Assistant Professor at Winthrop University, where he helped redefine teacher preparation by blending innovative methods with strategic curriculum development. This work is complemented by his experience as a classroom teacher, K-12 Instructional Coach, and STEAM Lab Coordinator, enabling him to bridge traditional teaching with imaginative approaches. Dr. Cox’s expertise is reflected in his extensive contributions to the field, including 15+ peer-reviewed publications, 30+ presentations, and numerous awards and accolades. His research focuses on imaginative learning, STEAM career pathway development, and workforce readiness, making him a thought leader in preparing learners for dynamic futures. His unique combination of practical experience, academic research, and leadership in professional development ensures that his contributions to this book are both deeply insightful and broadly impactful.Brandy Howard serves as Chief Academic Officer for Bullitt County Public Schools in Kentucky, where her visionary leadership transforms educational practices at the district level. She oversees instructional coaching, professional development, and assessment strategies while championing her district’s Graduate Profile and authentic learning initiatives. As a co-leader of the Transformational Learning Cohort and the Graduate Profile Cohort, Dr. Howard works closely with educators to integrate meaningful, real-world experiences into classroom instruction.Her influence extends beyond the district through her participation in national and statewide initiatives, such as the NAESP’s Innovative Principal Circle Cohort and the Kentucky United We Learn Innovative Assessment team. Dr. Howard also co-leads the Community Contributors of Innovative Learning Team, fostering partnerships between schools and local stakeholders to reshape accountability systems and create a comprehensive learning ecosystem.Dr. Howard’s academic background includes research on the impact of year-round education, underscoring her commitment to evidence-based practices and data-driven decision-making. Her involvement with the Kentucky Department of Education Blended Learning Module Team and her induction into the KASA Kentucky Women’s Educational Leadership Cohort further demonstrate her dedication to progressive educational reform.

Everyone tells teachers to innovate, but Richard Cox Jr. and Brandy Howard invite them into a strengths-based, interactive journey. This book is a sandbox of provocations, stories, and reflection tools where teachers can explore, experiment, and make meaning of innovation on their own terms. It’s a space to understand yourself more deeply while learning from the practices of other educators and the structures of innovative workplaces.

• Foreword by Sarah B. Bush and Kristin L. CookPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsIntroductionDefining Innovation . . . Sort OfGrounding Innovation in Purpose: The SDGs and the ISPsThe UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)The Integrated STEM Practices (ISPs)The Connection Between SDGs and ISPsWhy This Book Uses Broader StandardsIntroducing the Innov8 FrameworkHow to Use This BookYour Invitation to InnovateChapter 1: Blueprints and BeginningsUnderstanding Innovation Ecosystems1. Collaborative Spaces2. Diversity of Expertise3. Incubator and Accelerator Models4. Community Engagement5. Technology and Infrastructure6. Sustainability and Inclusivity7. Continuous Learning and Adaptation8. Networking and MentorshipLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 2: Ready to Innov8The Path to Innovation: Our 8-Step JourneyWhat Role Might You Play?Step 1: Spark Curiosity, as a VisionaryStep 2: Design, as an ArchitectStep 3: Collaborate, as a ConnectorStep 4: Empower, as a NavigatorStep 5: Convene, as a BuilderStep 6: Measure, as an EvaluatorStep 7: Model, as a MentorStep 8: Sustain, as a Lifelong LearnerLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 3: SparkThe Act of Sparking Curiosity in InnovationCreating a Curious PlaceEstablish Safety FirstEmbrace and Encourage Risk-TakingFailure as FuelTeacher Self-AssessmentGrowth MindsetCrafting the VisionLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 4: DesignThe Act of Designing in InnovationDesigning an Innovative PlaceDesigning for CompetencyDesigning for CraftsmanshipDesigning for CultureCritical ThinkingAccessible for AllConversationClock (Time)Designing for ChangeLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 5: CollaborateThe Act of Collaboration in InnovationDesigning a Collaborative PlaceReconnect to Your Role: Check-InCollaboration in ActionShared VisionFinding Common GoalsNavigating NuanceLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 6: EmpowerThe Act of Empowering in InnovationDesigning an Empowering PlaceCheck for UnderstandingFacilitate, Don’t DirectElevate Learner AgencyLearn Together, Grow TogetherMake Empowerment TangibleEmpowering All LearnersLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 7: ConveneThe Act of Convening Community in InnovationDesigning a Convening PlaceBreak Down WallsMapping Your Community NetworkTap Into TrendsBuilding a Future-Focused Speaker SeriesConvening Over ConversationDesigning a Collaborative ProjectDiverse Perspectives Drive InnovationNavigating NuanceLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 8: MeasureThe Act of Measuring InnovationDesigning a Place That Values EvaluationAmplify StrengthsFrom Data to InsightsFeedback as FuelScaling and Refining SuccessLearners as EvaluatorsLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 9: ModelThe Act of Modeling in InnovationDesigning a Place That Values MentorshipBuilding Authentic ConnectionsDesigning Inclusive Spaces for MentorshipNurturing Long-Term Growth Through MentorshipEncouraging Mentees to Become MentorsLooking BackLooking AheadChapter 10: SustainThe Act of Sustaining InnovationWhat Role Might You Play?Converging to SustainA ChallengeKey TakeawaysNext StepsPotential Barriers and How to Overcome ThemReferencesIndex