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From the Ground Up: Mount Vernon Students Design Furman’s First High School Summer Entrepreneurship Experience

May 7, 2025 (May 7, 2025) by sroyal

In a powerful alignment of purpose and possibility, Mount Vernon’s Innovation Diploma (iD) program has formed a strategic new partnership with Furman University’s Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This collaboration marks a milestone for both institutions—each committed to developing entrepreneurial thinkers who thrive in uncertainty, lead with empathy, and design for real-world impact. The…

Personal Geographies: Blending Innovation, Design, and Purpose

December 4, 2024 (December 4, 2024) by sroyal

The Journey of Purpose—central to Mount Vernon’s 10-year strategic plan—encourages students to explore who they are and where they are headed. This vision is brought to life in Mount Vernon Studios, the School’s innovative Arts program, through the department’s annual theme of Personal Geographies, which invites students to navigate self-discovery through creativity. In Upper School,…

Exploring the Possibilities of Mobility in Design: Grade 7 Mini Golf Design Project

October 30, 2024 (October 30, 2024) by sroyal

As part of a transdisciplinary, grade-wide exploration, Grade 7 is starting a multifaceted project-based learning (PBL) journey exploring the possibilities of mobility in design. The end goal? Construct a mini-golf experience for the entire school community and debut it at Mustang Rally 2025. Over the next 8 months, this learning experience will help students see…

Designing the Future of Fun: Inside the Design Process for Mustang Rally

April 10, 2024 (June 12, 2024) by Mount Vernon

At Mount Vernon, innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a daily part of life and learning. For the second consecutive year, Grade 8 students in Impact Design Lab (IDL) are taking on the challenge of reimagining the field games for Mustang Rally, our beloved annual spring carnival. This year’s project, much like the ones before…

Designing for Global Impact in Grade 8

April 5, 2023 by Mount Vernon

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″ da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Grade 8 embarked on a 9-week journey to deepen their understanding of global issues and design a public product that…

National Recognition of Middle School Impact Design Program

March 29, 2023 (June 27, 2024) by Mount Vernon

Ryan Welch was selected to speak at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) conference in February to share his insights on Impact Design Lab, the innovative Mount Vernon signature Middle School program he co-creates and co-teaches with Kevin Day, and Dr. Todd Wass. The Grade 8 program focuses on developing students’ people-centered problem-solving skills…

Grade 5 Product Design Challenge to Benefit Kindergarten Learning

February 15, 2023 by Mount Vernon

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_video _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] Design Thinking is a problem-solving method that emphasizes empathy and creativity. It helps individuals and teams approach problems from different perspectives and find innovative solutions. Grade 5 students recently put their…

Introducing: Impact Design Lab

August 31, 2022 (July 3, 2024) by sroyal

Introducing Impact Design Lab (IDL), a Mount Vernon Middle School designed class where students are taught to find problems and ask “How can I fix this?” instead of “I wish this was different”. Over the summer, we sat down with the three educational designers: Todd Wass, Ryan Welch, and Kevin Day to learn what this…

Mustang News Network: Student-Led, Purpose-Driven, and Poised for Expansion

April 1, 2025 (April 1, 2025) by sroyal

In just two years, Mustang News Network (MNN) has grown from an ambitious idea into a thriving, student-led broadcast team that embodies Mount Vernon’s commitment to voice, choice, innovation, and authentic learning experiences. In an age where media literacy, digital communication, and collaborative work are essential, MNN serves as a 21st-century learning studio—a place where…

Innovation Diploma Students Explore the Future of Entertainment

December 18, 2024 (December 18, 2024) by sroyal

Innovation Diploma (iD) challenges students to think like innovators and be problem-solvers. A core element of the program is the “Future of” Design Series, now in its fourth year, which invites students to explore and reimagine the future of major industries. Following past explorations into retail, food, and air transportation, this year’s focus was entertainment….