Cultivating Creativity

“Our future depends on innovators who can bring together diverse talents and perspectives to imagine and implement new solutions and ventures.”
In preparation for the International Space Apps Challenge, NASA was invited to lead a Salon at Vanderbilt University as part of the Curb Creative Enterprise and Public Leadership Scholars Program. The Curb Center Leadership Salons provide some of Vanderbilt’s brightest students the chance to engage in informal conversations and hands-on workshops with leaders from across the creative spectrum. Some of their previous guests include the co-creators of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, to fashion designers and entrepreneurs. Given that the International Space Apps Challenge is one of the most creative undertakings the Agency has ever attempted, the invitation seemed appropriate!
The NASA Open Government Initiative in general, and the International Space Apps Challenge, in particular, are activities that value creativity and require “outside-the-box” thinking. The idea of a Salon incentives students to apply the use of a creative process in order to develop innovation solutions to tough challenges. The approach is much more engaging then a lecture about a topic and challenges the students to develop creative solutions to real problems facing real organizations. The Curb Center is all ...