Innovation
Innovation is applying creative solutions to transform how something is done and create new possibilities
Innovation is what helps us imagine, invent, improve and inspire others - and, along the way, give back to the world
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Innovation is everywhere
What does a pencil, a pen, a notebook and a door have in common?
One thing they have in common is that they haven't changed very much in the last years or even since they were invented. They worked great when they were first invented and still work perfectly now
But look around and you will see that most things we use daily have changed in the past few years. Your phone, your apps, your shoes, the way you shop, the way you learn are all reimagined and transformed continuously
Climate change is pushing us to reimagine ways to transform how we live, work and play
For many years, we produced products that polluted the air, harmed humans and Nature. Now many people are innovating sustainable solutions that turn the tide of climate change
There are many kinds of innovation
Products
New materials, tools or technologies that help people or Nature
What's really interesting is seeing how something so small can have such a big impact on the environment
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Systems and solutions
New materials tools or technologies that help people or Nature
Ocean plastic pollution
"...it's fun to work on big problems
Coral reef restoration
No problem is too big or too small. If it matters to you, just start innovating
- Alex Goad
Determined to ensure coral reefs survive and thrive for future generations
Ocean exploration
Global Fishing Watch
Making the invisible visible
Open ROV Titan
Experiences
New ways to learn, explore and inspire action
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...Ocean X has given me the opportunity to be brave and always further myself
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What's really interesting is seeing how something so small can have such a big impact on the environment
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...only by working together...we can change the course of history
Community programs
New ways to bring people together to create change
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...plastic has an impact no matter where you live
Bringing ocean and culture together
How to innovate?
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Making the ocean accessible to children who are hospitalized
With skill and motivation you can innovate anything
1. Start small
Innovation begins by testing your idea in the simplest way possible
2. Make a prototype
Draw it. Build it out of cardboard. Test it with friends.
A prototype doesn’t need to look good — it needs to teach you something
3. Expect failure
Failure isn’t the opposite of innovation — it’s the engine of it.
Every test gives you clues for your next version
4. Improve, test again, repeat
Innovation is a journey of many small experiments that add up to something big
Try this
Pick a problem you care about at school, at home or in your community ​
What annoys you?
What feels unfair?
What isn’t working?
What would you change if you could?
Choose one
Sketch a solution in 5 minutes
Share it with someone
Ask: “What could make this even better?"
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Improve your solution based on the feedback you got
Share it again. See what works and what needs work
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Share it before you think it's ready
Many people work for 'the perfect version'
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There is not perfect
There is only progress
That’s innovation
Resources
1. MIT Sea Grant – Ocean Engineering
Hands-on challenges that teach buoyancy, robotics, sensors and how we explore and protect the ocean​
2. Technovation Girls
A global program where girls design and build real tech solutions to real problems, including ocean and climate issues
"The world does not need us to be perfect, it needs us to be brave
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3. Girls Who Code
"Shape the next chapter of tech, where every voice counts
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4. Ocean Wise Youth Programs
Creativity, design thinking and teamwork to work on ocean challenges Based in Canada
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5. Engineering for Change
Courses and challenges to design solutions for clean water, energy, climate and communities
"Join a global community of changemakers
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6. IDEO U
Short courses to move you from learning to applying
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Tune in / tune out
Innovation comes from being open to new possibilities
Tune in to music to energize you
Tune out to something completely different to inspire you
Tune in
EMINEM (Clean version)
One opportunity... don't let it go
Tune out
Explore millions of objects from art, science, history and Nature. Wander, notice what catches your eye and let it inspire new ideas​
