#United States #Denver #Unlikely Collaborators #National Institute for Play #Playposium

Igniting Creativity in Education with Play

In an exciting development for the realm of education, Unlikely Collaborators has awarded a significant grant to the National Institute for Play to facilitate the 2025 Professors at Play Playposium. This immersive event aims to reclaim the transformative power of play in higher education, inviting educators to rethink conventional teaching paradigms and explore the potential of play-based learning.

Scheduled to take place from June 23 to 26, 2025, at the picturesque University of Denver's Kennedy Mountain Campus in Colorado, the Playposium is set to be a revolutionary experience for educators across various disciplines. The event promises to provide a space for reflective practice and creative exploration, enabling teachers to challenge the established norms of academic constraints.

The Vision Behind the Playposium

The Playposium seeks to foster a shift in how education is perceived and delivered. While academia is traditionally grounded in rigorous intellectual standards, this event will encourage educators to unlock the significant benefits of play. Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, emphasizes, “We are built to play and built by play. Suppressing play can have profound negative consequences, while embracing it leads to greater creativity, problem-solving, and well-being.”

By integrating play into education, the Playposium aims to inspire both faculty and students, reinvigorating their commitment to the teaching mission. With Unlikely Collaborators' financial support, need-based scholarships will be offered to ensure that a diverse range of educators can partake in this transformational experience.

Expanding Perspectives Through the Perception Box

Central to the Playposium's framework is Perception Box™, a concept developed by Elizabeth R. Koch. This innovative model represents the biases and beliefs that shape our understanding of reality and ourselves. It serves as a guide for educators to expand their mental models and discover new ways of engaging with students.

The Playposium will leverage the Perception Box framework to enrich participants' teaching methodologies. Through workshops designed around playful pedagogy, educators will explore ways to connect more meaningfully with their students, nurture curiosity, and foster dynamic learning environments. Participants will be encouraged to challenge their narratives surrounding education, ultimately seeking to create more inclusive and student-centered experiences.

The Power of Play in Learning

Research highlights the substantial advantages play brings to the learning landscape. The National Institute for Play has published findings that show play enhances cognitive flexibility, encourages collaboration, builds problem-solving skills, boosts motivation, and cultivates resilience. These are indispensable qualities in today’s rapidly changing world.

Moreover, the Playposium will feature an array of interactive workshops, seminars, and experiential learning activities tailored to help educators rethink conventional academic structures. Topics will center around enhancing student engagement through creativity and play, challenging limiting beliefs, and envisioning novel teaching approaches that are both effective and engaging.

A Call for a