Hey friends, welcome back to The Learning Project Podcast! I’m so excited you’re here with me today because we’re diving into something that sits at the very heart of transforming student learning—the innovation mindset.

This one hits close to home because the shift we’re going to talk about today? It changed everything for me as a teacher. And I truly believe it can change everything for you too.

Let me take you back for a second—I remember standing in front of my class, wondering why my students weren’t asking more questions. Why weren’t they more curious? More invested? And the truth hit me like a ton of bricks: I hadn’t created space for that curiosity or innovation to grow.

That moment flipped a switch. I stopped leading those “cookbook labs” where every student followed the same step-by-step instructions, and instead, I challenged them to design their own experiments to test different variables. That was a powerful shift toward an innovation mindset—and the difference in student engagement was instant.

They had autonomy. They had ownership. They were solving problems, making decisions, testing ideas, and reflecting when things didn’t go as planned. In other words, they were thinking like scientists and engineers. They were building an innovation mindset.

Today’s episode is all about helping you create that same energy in your classroom—where inquiry thrives, students feel empowered, and learning becomes a space of creativity, resilience, and innovation. I’m sharing simple routines, practical strategies, and a free resource to help you bring the innovation mindset to life right away.

Let’s get into it.

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💡 Why the Innovation Mindset Matters

When we talk about the innovation mindset, we’re talking about developing habits like curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, risk-taking, perseverance, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned. These aren’t just skills for school—they’re real-world survival tools that help students succeed in any path they take.

And here’s what’s amazing: research backs this up. According to the P21 Framework for 21st Century Learning, creativity and problem-solving are essential for future readiness. John Hattie’s work shows that student ownership and teacher clarity are among the most effective ways to boost achievement. And when we intentionally foster an innovation mindset, those pieces come together beautifully.

But here’s the good news—you don’t need a fancy lab or endless prep time. The innovation mindset lives in the small shifts: the questions you ask, the opportunities you give students to lead, and how you celebrate thinking over perfection.

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🛠 How to Build an Innovation Mindset in Your Classroom

Let’s start with one of my favorite tools: phenomena-based learning. When students are introduced to something they don’t fully understand—like “Why do some objects sink while others float?” or “Why does static electricity make your hair stand up?”—they lean in. They’re curious. That moment of wondering is where the innovation mindset is born.

Another strategy? Inquiry routines like “Classify and Justify” (formerly my Mystery Sort). These activities build critical thinking, communication, and collaborative innovation. They encourage students to look at the same problem in different ways, defend their thinking, and embrace multiple possible answers—just like real-world innovators do.

You can try sorting types of energy, animal adaptations, or even parts of a system. When students debate and refine their ideas, they’re practicing the very core of the innovation mindset—flexible thinking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Another powerful habit? Thinking aloud. When I model my own curiosity—saying things like, “Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I changed this variable…”—I’m showing students how real scientists and engineers think. I’m also showing them that not knowing is okay—it’s part of the process. That’s an essential part of building an innovation mindset: normalizing uncertainty and valuing iteration.

And I can’t emphasize this enough—celebrate the process. When students redesign, rethink, and try again, that’s where growth happens. I’ve built reflection into every stage of STEM learning so students can track how their ideas change over time. That sense of progress is fuel for the innovation mindset.

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🔗 Cross-Curricular Connections: STEM That Sticks

Want to know a simple but powerful tip? Start with science, then build your other subjects around it. That’s how I support my teachers in creating authentic, innovation-centered learning experiences.

Take Kindergarten: we study forces, weather, and animals. From there, we choose books, writing prompts, and even art projects that tie into those themes. In doing this, students begin to see the world as interconnected—just like real innovators do.

Math? It becomes the tool to solve real problems, not just a worksheet. Students gather data, measure changes, and analyze results in meaningful ways. Art brings creativity to the forefront—designing, modeling, building, and reflecting. All of these moments nurture an innovation mindset by showing students they can use their ideas across domains.

And when we assess with rubrics that highlight collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking? That reinforces the message that how they think is just as important as what they produce.

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⚡ Quick Wins for Building the Innovation Mindset

Now, I know you’re busy. So here are a few low-lift, high-impact ways to bring the innovation mindset into your classroom this week:

• Start a Wonder Wall. Give students space to post questions. You’ll be amazed at how it fuels inquiry and ownership.
  
• Use a STEM Question of the Week. I’ve created 36 of them for you—they’re inside my free STEAM Spark Plug!
  
• End the day with a reflection question. Try: “What did you try today that didn’t work yet?” That’s an innovation mindset in action.
  
• Try a 5-minute Invention Brainstorm. Ask students to sketch a solution to a real-world problem. It builds creative confidence and shows them their ideas matter.
  

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🌱 Wrapping Up + Your Next Step

Before we wrap up, I want you to remember this: building an innovation mindset doesn’t require big, flashy lessons. It starts with small moments—where students feel safe to wonder, safe to try, and proud of how they grow.

So here’s your next step:
👉 Head to www.learning-project.com and grab your free STEAM Spark Plug . It’s full of routines, questions, and planning tools to help you embed the innovation mindset into your everyday teaching.

Also check out the Wonder and Work Template Toolkit with templates that you can take and use in your classroom immediately! 

Want to keep growing?
Let’s stay connected!
📸 Instagram: @thelearningprojectjenn
📘 Facebook: The_Learning_Project
🎧 Or email me directly at jenn@learning-project.com

And hey—if you’re interested in a live session or webinar to see these ideas in action, let me know! I’m working on something special, and I’d love to invite you into the room.

You’ve got this, friend. Let’s help every student think like a scientist, dream like an engineer, and grow with the confidence that their ideas can change the world.

See you next time—and remember, the innovation mindset starts with you. 🚀