Local Tomorrow: A place where community shapes a greener future
How do we learn? At first, we touch and explore. Later in life, we begin to build things like our ancestors. Then someone asks us to open page 57. The way we learn at schools is not natural. We, in Local Tomorrow, believe that education should be restructured in order to awaken the creator inside us.
What’s Local Tomorrow? A vibrant hub to embrace people of all ages, colors and genders! A place for educational workshops in which people learn by doing! A bistro to socialize and try local foods!
Local
Sweden
Stockholm
Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
Yes
As an individual in partnership with other persons
First name: Saziye Müge Last name: Uysal Gender: Female Nationality: Turkey Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Understensvägen 20 Town: Stockholm Postal code: 19150 Country: Sweden Direct Tel:+46728440160 E-mail:s.mugeuysal@gmail.com
Local Tomorrow is an educational initiative that democratizes learning for people of all ages, genders and colors. This project is designed to build a greener and more sustainable future by helping people create, socialize and eat together.
In Local Tomorrow, we think that education is one of the most important sectors to make a change for a better tomorrow. We are advocates of active learning. Therefore we believe that learning is not limited to classrooms, schools or institutions. For us, the solution is to localize and return the roots of learning. How do humans learn? Humans learn by checking examples, building things and using all their senses. We do not necessarily learn by sitting passively or listening to someone talking. Local Tomorrow is offering a creative hub to take ownership in learning.
We plan to host workshops where people try to find solutions to everyday problems and be able to make their own items. In our hub, families will learn how to make a wooden toy for their children’s next birthday. Elderly people will teach how to make organic strawberry jams in another workshop. In Local Tomorrow, we aim to give people with experience a stage to share the knowledge and empower make-not-buy culture to help our planet.
The learning outcomes that we plan to accomplish are:
-to learn real life skills that are prone to be forgotten
-to make connections and engage in the maker community
-to build on their previous knowledge to master learning
Local Knowledge
Building a Greener Future
Community Engagement
Sustainable Education
Hands-on Learning
1-Creating a collection hub for recyclable and old items to give them a second chance in the workshop
Local Tomorrow is a project in which people of all ages, genders and backgrounds will have a say in the future that they want to build. In the Local Tomorrow workshop, the participant will try to understand both the needs and the challenges of tomorrow. Then we will educate the surroundings and come up with solutions to these needs and challenges. We, the creators of this initiative, strongly believe that the solutions for the future problems will be “Local” In our workshop, we will act as a collection hub for pre-loved items so that the educational and recreational activities will be sourced through those.
2- Exploring 3Rs of waste in an authentic context and emphasizing Reuse and Reduce more learning activities
In Europe, only 30% of the plastic was recycled in 2019. 25% of the plastic went to landfills. Even if we recycle and follow the signs on the products, we cannot guarantee that the product we put in the recycling bin will not end up in a landfill or the ocean. In Local Tomorrow, we, the educators, will discuss the importance of reducing and reusing in our learning activities. For example, we will have workshops where people work on an old piece of furniture to make wooden frames. One of the key objectives in Local Tomorrow is that sustainable choices become more significant in learners’ lives when they want to renew or buy something.
1- Exploring local aesthetics and empowering cultural memory
Local Tomorrow is a project in which the roots of learning and cultural memory is the central focus. The stages of learning for us are respectively: observing, embracing and replicating. Our workshops are designed in a way that we will observe the item in question, then embrace the design principles and/or cultural importance it has. Then we will replicate the item with creative touches of participants. For example, before the wooden toy workshop, we will explore the history of toys, what cultural symbols are used locally and the aesthetic principles to make toys.
For example, in our weaving workshop, we will be reusing the threads from old jumpers and sweaters. We will be learning about how different cultures used different symbols on the carpets and how we can incorporate color theory into weaving.
2- Precision and attention to detail while prototyping
Participants will follow the Engineering Design Process throughout the learning experiences. It can be simplified as “Define-Ask-Imagine-Plan-Create-Experiment-Improve” These steps will help the learners come up with precise solutions within requirements. We aim to combine aesthetic principles and engineering design process in learning. Participants will learn to make the right judgment to choose aesthetics over functionality.
1-Believing that everybody has a say in building the tomorrow in Local Tomorrow, inviting people of all ages, gender, backgrounds to have an open communication and be creators.
Local Tomorrow is an initiative to find out sustainable solutions for the future by teaching people new skills to make stuff. We believe that we cannot build our future with a limited privileged group. On the contrary, everybody has a responsibility in working towards giving the next generation the best world possible. Our target group comes from different levels of migration, personality types, backgrounds and genders.
In the workshops we have with our students now, we make sure to:
Make every single voice/idea to be heard,
Keep the groups diverse and increase publicity in different parts of society
Help newcomers to the country express themselves in the local language
Provide a judgement-free trial and error environment for learners of all genders, personalities
Traditionally we believe that learning only happens in classrooms. Then with the hassles of working life, most people follow their paths into their careers. To learn something new seems to be for children. On the contrary to the traditional view on education and learning, we are advocates of life-long learning. We define our learners as the citizens of today and tomorrow. Our hub, Local Tomorrow, is designed to host people of all ages, genders, backgrounds in our learning workshops. We would like people to interact with one another and most importantly, learn from one another. This local learning community will shape a better future and collaborate for greener solutions.
To welcome all civil society to Local Tomorrow will enable us to:
Decrease alienation of senior citizens and provide them with a vibrant learning environment
Pass on important survival skills and knowledge to younger generations. (For example, how to make your own jam or yogurt)
Enlarging the community of makers and creators
Creating a safe space for younger generations to produce quality content
We have been in contact with different local design studios and makerspaces to check the environment there and also get some ideas for our own project. The places that we have been to either did not have an educational purpose or were only towards a specific target group. These insights helped us to design the Local Tomorrow, a place for everybody with an educational purpose. We aim to make everyone learn, unlearn at times, from one another and empower this community exchange.
We have been to events to meet local networks and incubators. We are developing our business plan to meet Stockholm City’s helpline for company founders.
Other than meeting local makerspaces and hubs, we decided to volunteer as group leaders to test our educational plan, pedagogy and methodology in a local makerspace. We lead a group of fifteen learners in robotics. In this workshop, as we addressed earlier, we make them use the Engineering Design Process and guide them to find aesthetic solutions to everyday problems.
We, the creators of Local Tomorrow project, are a couple who work as an engineer and an educator. We both love making our items, looking for sustainable solutions and the cultural aesthetics. Our desire to make our own items and teach others combined. Then we decided to share that passion of ours with others by mixing and mashing the engineering design process and the educational approach learning by doing. As an educator, we believe that people learn more when they are actively building things. When you compare a class reading the history of Pisa Tower to a group who works on making a model of the same tower, the one who is making the model will learn more about its history. Because the one who is making a model will need to research about the aesthetic principles of the tower, real measurements and use math skills.
In our initiative, we would like to inspire people to create items with reused items. In our opinion, people will connect with the materials and prototyping when they get to build it from scratch. When we create things, they are going to have a meaningful story in our lives. The things we learn throughout the journey will be more permanent compared to the learning at the traditional settings.
Compared to mainstream educational settings, Local Tomorrow will not follow a fixed curriculum for learning; however, this place will encourage more comprehensive learning experiences to solve everyday problems.
On the contrary to mainstream actions, Local Tomorrow defines a learner as a person with a passion to learn regardless of their age, gender, background. So we put the community in the center. Therefore Local Tomorrow will let people regain a sense of belonging to their surroundings, habits to learn new things and their cultural memory. Local Tomorrow is both a performance stage for workshop leaders and a creative hub for those with passion to make. People will pass on local knowledge and help local food initiatives with its kitchen area. Participants will get to use the local language and integrate more into society.
Learning is beyond classrooms, identities and labels. We aim to raise people who are close to polymaths.
Our project is built around the ideas of democratizing and localizing education, reusing resources to have zero-to-no waste, and empowering make-not-buy movement. The methodologies that we embrace in the project are learning-by-doing and engineering design process. These aspects of our project make it very transferable to almost all countries, regions or groups. We aim to make a space for all parts of society and build a community around the values above. We believe that we can only solve the challenges of tomorrow by teaching people how to pass on knowledge and make their own items without wasting the planet's resources.
The implementation of an educational initiative like ours is quite possible in different settings given that initiators adjust the content and learning outcomes to their own local values, needs, language, aesthetics, and cultural memory. Since we are advocates of localization, with the right adjustments, every context would benefit a lot from a learning hub like this.
The Local Tomorrow initiative combines two educational approaches, Constructivism and the Engineering Design Process, to create a makerspace for individuals to explore their creativity and produce tangible items for themselves. Constructivism focuses on the idea that individuals learn best through hands-on, active involvement with the material they are learning, while the Engineering Design Process provides a structured framework for problem-solving and product development. By offering a variety of tools and resources, along with the support of knowledgeable mentors, Local Tomorrow provides the ideal environment for individuals to apply these principles, create their projects and enjoy coffee and local foods in a comfortable and inspiring atmosphere.
Some examples of how the Local Tomorrow approach using Constructivism and the Engineering Design Process can be applied in practice:
-A participant wants to build a wooden shelving unit for their home. They would use the Engineering Design Process to plan, design, and create the unit, incorporating the materials, tools, and techniques available at Local Tomorrow.
-A participant wants to learn how to code and build a website. They would use Constructivism to actively engage in the learning process, exploring and experimenting with coding and website design through hands-on projects and activities.
-A participant wants to try their hand at a new craft, such as jewelry making or wood carving. They would use Constructivism to experiment, trial and error, and refine their skills in a supportive and encouraging environment, while incorporating elements of the Engineering Design Process to plan and execute their projects.
In each of these examples, Local Tomorrow provides the space, resources, and support for individuals to pursue their interests, learn new skills, and create items for themselves.
The global challenges that Local Tomorrow addresses in relation to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can be found below:
Goal 4: Quality Education
Local Tomorrow provides a unique and innovative approach to education through its integration of hands-on, active learning principles and structured problem-solving. By offering individuals access to resources and support, Local Tomorrow creates opportunities for lifelong learning and skill development, contributing to quality education for all. The makerspace encourages individuals to explore their interests, try new things, and learn through hands-on experience, fostering a love of learning and a desire for continuous self-improvement.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Local Tomorrow promotes responsible consumption and production through its focus on sustainability and reduction of waste. By providing individuals with the tools and resources to create and repair items themselves, the makerspace encourages the reuse and repurposing of materials, reducing the amount of waste generated. Additionally, the inclusion of coffee and local foods supports local agriculture and food systems, promoting sustainable consumption patterns. The makerspace also encourages individuals to adopt a more hands-on, DIY approach to consumption, reducing the reliance on mass-produced items and promoting a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle.
In summary, Local Tomorrow's current approach creates a unique and innovative environment for individuals to engage in hands-on, active learning and skill development. By promoting sustainability, reducing waste, and fostering a love of learning, Local Tomorrow contributes to quality education and responsible consumption and production, supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 12.
The tentative development plan for Local Tomorrow in 2023 as follows:
Brand Identity (February): The first step in launching Local Tomorrow will be to develop a strong brand identity. This will include the creation of a logo, tagline, color palette, and visual style that accurately represents the spirit and mission of the initiative.
Content Creation (March-April): To promote the brand and its offerings, a comprehensive content strategy will be developed. This will include the creation of visually appealing graphics, videos, and other promotional materials that highlight the benefits and unique aspects of Local Tomorrow.
Marketing via Social Media Channels (May-June): Social media will play a key role in reaching potential customers and promoting the brand. A social media marketing strategy will be developed and implemented, including regular posts and engagement with followers.
Foundation of the Company (July): The next step will be to formally establish Local Tomorrow as a legal entity, including registering the business, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and establishing a business plan and financial plan.
Generation of Education Material and Workshops (August-September): To support the learning and skill development aspect of Local Tomorrow, a range of educational materials and workshops will be created. These may include instructional videos, how-to guides, and hands-on workshops for individuals of all skill levels.
Tool Acquisition (October): In order to support the makerspace aspect of Local Tomorrow, a comprehensive inventory of tools and resources will be acquired. This will include everything from basic hand tools to specialized equipment and materials.
Online and In-person Events (November-December): To promote Local Tomorrow and its offerings, a series of online and in-person events will be planned and executed. This may include promotional workshops, open houses, and other community-building events.
Local Tomorrow contributes to developing new competences by providing hands-on learning opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and knowledge in sustainability-related fields. By offering workshops and other educational resources, participants can learn about and practice sustainable design, materials science, and other relevant competencies.
In alignment with the European competence framework on sustainability, Local Tomorrow provides a supportive environment for individuals to develop the following competences:
Understanding the principles of sustainable development and the ability to integrate them into decision making.
Knowledge of the environmental, social and economic impacts of products and services, and the ability to evaluate and compare these impacts.
Understanding of resource efficiency and the ability to apply it in practice.
Knowledge of sustainable production and consumption patterns and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice.
Understanding of the interlinkages between environmental, social and economic sustainability and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice.
By providing these learning opportunities, Local Tomorrow helps individuals to develop their competences in sustainability and to become more informed and active citizens.
