A submission to the No Right Brain Left Behind Challenge in 2011. http://rightbrainsare.us/ On behalf of the K12 group at Perkins+Will. Please note: there are links inside!

1. mission:summer
partnership-powered mobile camps to build
community infrastructure, empower summer
exploration, and bridge the academic calendar.

2. American students only go to school, on
average, 180 days. A recent survey
revealed that 75% of students aren't
enrolled in summer learning programs. As a
result, summer brain drain and a
widening achievement gap are
exacerbated, fueling the crisis of
engagement and creativity in the American
education system. Furthermore, with more
time spent wired and indoors between
school sessions, youth and their
communities risk a dramatic loss in free
play, exploration, + community building
central to an enriching summer break.
Enter...
mission:summer

3. Inspired by the timeless nostalgia of the
neighborhood ice cream truck, the social
media fueled urban food truck revolution,
and mobile museum + park units, we want
to harness the power of the serendipitous
interaction and novelty spurred by these
mobile trucks to fuel exploration and
creativity during summer vacation and into
the academic year.

4. how does it work?

5. how does it work?
(weʼre glad you asked.)

6. how does it work?
map form build spread mobilize integrate
community partnerships programming the word the mission academically

7. mission:summer, though ostensibly
novel, is actually rooted in very real
principles of asset-based community
development and urban planning. The
first step is to assemble a district and
community team of leaders to map local
assets: schools, libraries, green spaces,
academic/cultural institutions, community
centers, etc. Mapping these formal
institutions alongside informal gathering
places helps district see through a place-
based lens and target specific areas.
map
community

8. Identify: neighborhoods, blocks, parks and green areas,
play grounds, schools, community centers, libraries,
cultural and academic institutions, hang-out spots, gardens
and markets, sports areas, skate parks, and more.
map
community

9. The central operating principle of
mission:summer is to define and fuel
creative partnerships with school districts.
As such, institutions and individuals directly
contribute to the planning and operating of
the mobile fleet. By identifying positive
assets and forming strong connections, the
mission:summer project builds a creative
inertia that carries over into the school year
formally and informally.
map form
community partnerships

10. {
mission:summer
trucks
Truck is themed and team of individuals,
institutions, school representatives, and youth
fuel the summer planning and programming.
Themes are intentionally broad and planning
committees intentionally diverse.
Individuals Institutions Schools Youth
Community and Libraries, Museums, School district Community wide
parent catalysts Galleries, Studios, representatives, student planning
Businesses/ teachers, and catalysts
Organizations/ curricular
Associations catalysts
map form
community partnerships

11. e.g.
Both general/
Chicago specific
examples mission: move mission: produce
mission: make
trucks trucks trucks
Hardware store owner; Local Yoga studio owner; team of fitness Local mom who hosts the morning
architect; team of parent minded parents; Little league radio news; local DJ;
mechanics director documentarian and production
team
Museum of Science and Industry; Hubbard Street Dance Company; Local newspaper; NPR station;
Local AIA/AIGA chapters; MAKE Urban Gateways; Local park district public library
magazine community manager programmer
Head district shop/woodworking Dance coach; district physical Student newspaper sponsor;
teacher; Science Olympiad coach; education curricular lead; group of English department chair; District
school principal who used to be an teachers who latin dance on the IT director
engineer weekends
Local Eagle Scout; captain of the Dance team member; soccer Newspaper editor; film club leader;
pine wood derby team; engineering captain; Girls on the Run youth local YouTube “celebrity” (9th grader
college student home for the leader whose skateboard how-tos went viral)
summer
map form
community partnerships

12. mission:sum m er’s programming is
customizable for each community, as is the
format for delivery (and size, for those
intimidated). Truck teams can choose to
divide the summer into months or
collaborate on all programming ideas. But
there a few central concepts that all teams
should consider when forming their
schedule, identifying resources, designing
programs...
map form build
community partnerships programming

13. • Programs should be 90-120 minutes in
length.
• There should always be “single
serving,”“multi-week summer workshop,”
and individual program options.
• These interactions are meant to be
catalysts for individual and group
exploration. Materials and information in
the trucks and online will direct parents/
students how they can make, move,
produce, explore, etc more.
map form build
community partnerships programming

14. • Students with independent projects/
goals are encouraged to register them
online. “Mission hours,” like office hours,
right before and after programming are
times students can consult with mentors.
• Students should be encouraged to
register and participate online to log
their attendance, share creations, and
see/hear other work and stories.
map form build
community partnerships programming

15. mission:summer spreads the word in
the usual ways, school newsletters,
library and museum bulletin boards, local
radio and newspapers, etc. but it also
engages students and parents using
social media to build momentum, identify
locations, create a feedback loop, solicit
ideas, and spread stories.
map form build spread
community partnerships programming the word

16. “The #mission:summer #produce +
#explore trucks are hitting Montrose
beach at 1:30. Let’s just say #birds + #flip
cameras. Special guests...”
My “flight” mini doc got posted on the
@mission:make website.
#omgsoexcitedrightnow.
Latest batch of mini-docs posted from the
mission:produce truck. School kick off
screenings at Peggy Notebaert Nature
Museum 9/7/11 @6:00. Free entry.
map form build spread
community partnerships programming the word

17. mission:summer could also have a
web interface with local and national
content and schedules. The layout
possibilities are endless. But one thingʼs
for sure, they would definitely use Google
maps.
map form build spread
community partnerships programming the word

18. With planning down, the only thing left to
do is mobilize.
mission:summer’s trucks:
• follow a basic schedule
• show up at community events
• have several surprise visits every
summer
• are filled with possibility
We suggest that, to cut costs, districts use their bus fleet or rely
on creative partnerships to outfit the mission trucks.
Also, don’t be afraid to start small. We just like thinking big
map form build spread mobilize
community partnerships programming the word the mission

19. Communities can use whatever mobile
infrastructure they have to accommodate
mission:summer’s trucks:
• follow a basic schedule
• show up at community events
• have several surprise visits every
summer
• are filled with possibility
map form build spread mobilize
community partnerships programming the word the mission

20. What now? Summer’s done.
map form build spread mobilize integrate
community partnerships programming the word the mission academically

21. What now? Summer’s done.
We know. But hereʼs the catch. When you
look at a place for its community and
creative assets, you say “yes, and”, you
foster spontaneous interactions, you create
connections, and build networks
organically...
mission:summer doesnʼt end.
It empowers.
map form build spread mobilize integrate
community partnerships programming the word the mission academically

22. It empowers year-round.
And that is why we think it is special. It
relies on a strong planning process rooted
in community development.
The connections fostered result in future
programming between institutions, artists in
residences, new personal and professional
relationships, kids during the summer that
say “ah-ha,” not “Iʼm bored.”
And whoʼs to say the trucks canʼt make
appearances in December? Not us.

23. an education idea.
Melanie Kahl