How can having fun with wild ideas help engage students with STEM? How can we give students the design and creative-thinking tools required to tackle the future and reinvent the world for the better?

How would we actually rewild every city on Earth? Through compost cannons, 3D-printed birds, sewer submarines, flying bikes and other seemingly outrageous—but theoretically possible—ideas from Steve Mushin's award-winning book, Ultrawild.

In this inspiring session, Steve explores how imaginative thinking can spark meaningful conversations about the future of our planet. Learn how bold, playful ideas can engage students in STEM, develop creative problem-solving skills, and empower young people to become designers, scientists, engineers, changemakers and wild thinkers.

Drawing on fascinating rewilding projects from around the world, Steve unpacks the philosophy of rewilding and shares practical ways educators can incorporate these concepts into their classrooms. Through hands-on ideas and real-world examples, participants will discover how rewilding can foster optimism and action in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Filled with humour, big ideas and delightfully ridiculous designs, this session is an energetic celebration of creativity and the potential we all have to reinvent our world for the better.

Topics Covered

What is rewilding and why does it matter?
Inspiring rewilding initiatives from around the world
Using imaginative design challenges to make STEM learning engaging
Large-scale ecological design and engineering concepts
Creative thinking and drawing as tools for reimagining the future
Innovative technologies that support urban rewilding
The role of rewilding in strengthening ecosystems and addressing climate change

About Steve

Steve Mushin is an award-winning industrial designer, illustrator, science storyteller and workshop facilitator working in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. His illustrations, design projects, exhibitions and workshops explore rewilding cities into habitats for all species.

Steve has over 20 years’ experience as an industrial designer, workshop facilitator and science communicator. He has collaborated with scientists, engineers, sculptors and community groups on projects ranging from high-tech urban farms, composting systems and biogas technologies and zero-emission masterplans to science-based adventure playgrounds – amongst many other things.

Ultrawild has won Best Designed Children's Non-Fiction book (2024 Australian Book Design Awards), and the 2024 Elsie Locke Award For Best Nonfiction (NZ).

The Power of Ultrawild Thinking: STEM, creativity and rewilding

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