The Joyful Learning Collaborative (JLC), convened by Thinkery, unites 25 incredible community-based organizations on a mission to redefine learning and collaboration through joy, curiosity, and relationships.
Each year, the Collaborative will focus on a unifying topic that will bring joyful learning experiences into communities – this year it was the eclipse!
To make this happen, Thinkery brought collaborative members together for three pathway sessions on accessibility, storytelling, and place and space where collective learning happened through shared stories and playful exploration.
To celebrate a successful first year of collaboratively working together towards providing joyful learning eclipse experiences to the Central Texas community, here’s what some of our members had to say about their JLC experience:
Simons Foundation
The Simons Foundation is a proud supporter of the Joyful Learning Collaborative. JLC’s unifying collaborative project, the 2024 Solar Eclipse was part of Simons Foundation’s ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society and Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection to science — whether for the first time or a lifetime.
“The most exciting thing about JLC is obviously supporting people to have the most amazing experience with the eclipse as it passes through their hometown, but also the potential for what it could build into beyond the eclipse. How you take this group of people that are interested in building science engagement opportunities in their communities and growing that and thinking about how they can decide what to do next and where this opportunity might take them.”- Ivvet
Joshua’s Stage
Joshua’s Stage is an enrichment program for individuals with a wide range of special needs, featuring programs in person and online, including activities such as theater arts, improv arts and crafts, music, photography, create-a-story, and showcase.
“We are most excited about being a part of JLC. The camaraderie, learning from other individuals, as well as learning how to create projects we may not have thought of or to enhance those projects to best meet the needs of our participants so we can celebrate a wonderful occasion.” – Joshua
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired serves over 11,000 students from all around Texas that are visually impaired.
“I really like the opportunity to be able to connect with different organizations around Austin and see the fantastic things that they’re doing in preparation for this event. It’s also opened up my eyes as to which partners we could have and collaborate with so that the community can have more resources from our school to include those students and young adults that may not be served through us directly, but they have a visual impairment or hearing impairment, as well as getting to know a bunch of really fantastic people who have the same passions.
And so that is something that I’ve been really thankful for.” – Carlotta, TSBVI
Andy Roddick Foundation
The Andy Roddick Foundation works with the community to expand opportunities for young people to learn, thrive, and succeed through different programs and activities.
“To me, joyful learning is just what learning should be. I feel like we’ve lost some of the joy in public education, so I’m really fortunate in this role that I’m able to bring the fun back into learning.
And you can learn anything as long as you’re interested and passionate about it. So, for me, that’s what joyful learning is, that interest, that passion, that excitement. Kids want to learn. They want to do it in a way that’s meaningful and fun.” – Jennie
Stars and Science Austin
Stars and Science Austin runs science education outreach programs throughout the community, including a Mobile Planetarium, stargazing, and science activities.
“Joyful learning is what happens when kids leave our planetarium dome and they go “Wow, that was awesome.” That’s one of the things I like about my job right now.
One of the guys here today was talking about how he wants schools to be a place that kids want to go to, and it excites them. And I want that because I think that is the most important thing.
Little kids are so excited about learning. And to keep that joyful learning up through the years is something that we have to figure out how to do.
I like being part of a big group that does that!” – Lucia
Together, the Joyful Learning Collaborative shared 55 Light Sound Devices to make the eclipse experience accessible to those with visual impairments. They spread twenty-five thousand solar viewers throughout the community, sparking excitement all over. Lastly, collaborative members put on multiple Pre-Eclipse and Eclipse Viewing Events across Central Texas, providing over 5,000 people with joyful eclipse experiences through hands-on, play-based fun!
This work was supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative.
