From Space to Schools: How Does XPRIZE Reimagine Learning?
Video by WISE Channel via YouTube
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In this episode of WISE On Air, we explore the intersection of innovation and education with Alexander Nicholas, Executive Vice President of Learning & Society at XPRIZE.
Drawing from his experience leading educational initiatives at the Gates Foundation and now at XPRIZE, Alexander shares insights on how prize competitions can catalyze transformative solutions in education. Alexander discusses XPRIZE’s unique approach to tackling global challenges, from their first space competition to their current work across seven domains including education.
He explains how their "brain trust" methodology brings together diverse experts to frame problems and design prizes that drive real impact. Through examples like their global learning prize that reached millions of students in Tanzania, we explore how prize competitions can validate educational technology and create new standards for efficacy.
The conversation delves into Alexander’s vision of democratized education, where high-quality learning becomes "demonetized, delocalized and moving into the fabric of society." He shares thoughtful perspectives on how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies might help realize this vision, while emphasizing the importance of keeping solutions globally relevant and contextual.
Join WISE Director and Host of this episode, Elyas Felfoul, as we examine how prize competitions could help transform education systems and create more equitable access to learning opportunities worldwide.
Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair
Learn more about XPRIZE: https://www.xprize.org/
00:00 Introduction: Reimagining Education
00:44 Welcome to Wise on Air
00:52 The XPRIZE Foundation: Innovating for Change
01:11 Interview with Alexander Nicholas
02:05 The Visionary XPRIZE Event
02:34 History and Evolution of XPRIZE
08:39 Domains of XPRIZE
13:26 Empathy and Innovation
20:12 Defining Success at XPRIZE
31:07 The Role of Technology and AI in Education
38:07 Looking Ahead: The Future of Education