FLICKR/LORIE SHAULL
Project Origins
One week after a police officer arrogantly deemed that George Floyd’s life didn’t matter, we talked with our students. They were visibly upset over what they were seeing on the news and social media. Most were confused and many no longer felt safe. We concluded the discussion by offering two options. We could remain afraid and hope it will all pass. Or we could channel our fears and use our talents to attempt to make a difference.
A few days later, we shared an idea with our partners at the Cambridge Public Library. The Teens would create an augmented reality installation on the Library’s lawn. The installation would allow our young people to use their creativity and voice on a matter of most importance to them. In record time, we received the green light from the Library. The resulting project called “This Should Not Be.” addresses the following question:
“HOW MIGHT WE AWAKEN PEOPLE TO THE INJUSTICES IN OUR SOCIETY AND INSPIRE THEM TO HELP US CREATE A WORLD THAT WE ALL CAN BELIEVE IN?”
ABOUT US
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 Studios is a teen-powered design and innovation studio that 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
Sonification in Detail
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
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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.