It has taken us 2 years, but on June 11th 2019 - she was officially unveiled. The Looking Glass will serve as the first stop on a teen-created Discovery Walk highlighting the amazing inventions and innovations that have been made in Cambridge. Our goal is to weave the physical and digital worlds together creating a one of a kind experience our visitors.
Innovators for Purpose (iFp) is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that inspires high-potential diverse youth, especially those from under-resourced and under-represented communities, to become creators capable of producing innovative solutions to the most complex problems in their communities and the world.
iFp’s teen-powered design and innovation studio (iFp Studios) uncovers fresh youth inspired solutions to real problems for real clients. Using our integrated approach that blends art, design and humanities with emerging technologies such as augmented reality and data science, teens work collaboratively with designers, technologists, makers and other professionals to bring new-to-the-world ideas to life.
Our clients include Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, Cambridge Public Library and MIT. Hire us to solve your business communication needs from a fresh youth perspective.
The Looking Glass Design Team
Kendall Square was originally a salt marsh on the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge, it became an important transportation hub when the West Boston Bridge (now Longfellow Bridge) was built in 1793, providing the first direct wagon route between the two settlements.
Kendall Square was a major industrial center in the 19th century, and by the beginning of the 20th century was home to distilleries, electric power plants, soap and hosiery factories, and the Kendall Boiler and Tank Company. The square was named after the company, which in turn was named after one of its owners, Edward Kendall.
In 1916, the MIT moved from Boston to Cambridge. Since then, the proximity of MIT, whose campus eventually expanded into Kendall Square, has influenced much of the development of the area, and contributed to its development as a technology hub.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
The Looking Glass is the first of hopefully several stops on a Made In Cambridge discovery walking tour of Kendall Square. Each stop will uniquely weave the physical and digital worlds together. Our plans include expanding on this website, building a location-based app using a contributory audio reality platform and adding other interactive capabilities.
Your support helps us inspire high-potential, diverse young people to discover their passions, develop innovative mindsets and cultivate marketable skills. Through very authentic projects and experiences our students learn how to navigate ambiguity, communicate across disciplines and create unique solutions that delight and amaze. The outcome of these experiences are empowered youth with the skills and mindsets to drive their own communities forward - giving purpose to their innovation.
The Looking Glass was design by iFp Teen Creatives in collaboration with many tech & creative professionals.
