From Passengers to Rocket Powered Explorers: Designing AI Infused Innovation Pathways
From Passengers to Rocket-Powered Explorers: Designing AI-Infused Innovation Pathways for Secondary Schools:
As AI rapidly reshapes the world beyond the classroom, how can schools move students from passive consumers of information to active innovators and creators? This session explores how secondary schools can design future-ready learning pathways that empower students to use AI as a co-pilot in design thinking, entrepreneurship, and project-based learning.
Drawing from real-world case studies and programs—including existing innovation pathways, a 3D printing design course where students used AI to prototype solutions, and a student-led app development program using AI coding agents—we’ll examine how AI can amplify creative problem-solving, accelerate iteration cycles, and deepen engagement.
This interactive workshop invites participants to examine the current innovation landscape, learn how AI-enhanced learning tools can be implemented, and identify strategic actions for launching or scaling AI-powered pathways in their schools. We’ll also discuss the critical role of ethics, equity, and future-ready assessment models to ensure these pathways are accessible and impactful for all learners.
Participants will leave with concrete strategies, collaborative connections, and a renewed vision for helping your students become rocket-powered explorers in an AI-driven world.
Facilitated By
Sam Vierra
Coordinator for the Institute of Design and Innovation, American Embassy School
For nearly a decade, Sam has been designing and implementing innovative teaching and learning practices. His interest in reimagining education began after watching Most Likely to Succeed, a documentary that explored groundbreaking approaches to course design and assessment at High Tech High.
At Stanford’s d.school, Sam explored ways to integrate design and systems thinking into his courses. Building on this work, he partnered with the d.school to develop the Global Sustainability by Design program at Punahou School in Hawaii.
In 2022, Sam earned a Master’s in School Leadership from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, focusing on leading change within independent schools. He has had the opportunity to collaborate with Tony Wagner in designing authentic, innovative programs that equip students with the mindsets and skill sets essential for 21st-century learning.
Currently, Sam leads the Institute for Design and Innovation (IDI) at the American Embassy School in New Delhi, where he continues to push the boundaries of student-centered, experiential learning.
Ryan McKinnie
Technology Innovation Coordinator, American Embassy School
With more than 15 years of international teaching experience, Ryan McKinnie is an educator and technology leader whose career has taken him from history classrooms in China to PYP adventures in Lebanon. Now based in New Delhi, he serves as the PreK–12 Technology Integration Coordinator at the American Embassy School, where he helps students and teachers explore the creative possibilities of technology.
Ryan is passionate about blending hands-on learning with digital innovation. At AES, he leads the makerspace and supports technology integration across grade levels, helping students design, code, and create with tools ranging from 3D printers and robots to augmented reality.
By weaving together traditional pedagogy, emerging technologies, and creative problem-solving, Ryan empowers learners of all ages to collaborate, experiment, and build the skills they need for a rapidly changing world. This year, he is especially focused on partnering with IDI students to think outside the box with AI—exploring ways to 10x their impact, scale their service learning projects, and apply an entrepreneurial mindset to amplify innovation and real-world change.
