Re-inventing Education with 1600 participants
Every 30 years, New Zealanders take a moment as a nation to reflect on our education system. 2018 marked one of those rare milestones, a starting point for new ambitions. And we were lucky to be part of it.
Under the leadership of the Minister of Education, a national consultation was held, inviting all communities to express their beliefs about the future of education. The topic was not limited to the schooling of children, but rather considered education as a lifelong project, without distinction of age, gender or race.
The ambitious year-long project began with two major launch sessions, with New Zealanders from all walks of life invited to initiate discussion and build momentum before returning to their communities to spread the message.
Openfield was commissioned to design and deliver these two sessions. We have been involved in this extraordinary project from the beginning – thank you for trusting us once again.
Organizing events of this magnitude comes with its share of challenges:
– The venues were very large (the first one was an arena!), cold and unwelcoming. We had to structure the space to create a warm experience and keep the participants’ energy focused.
– We wanted the 800 participants to be actively involved, working, sketching and sharing their ideas and results. We needed a solution that avoided the need for many pieces of furniture, in order to reduce costs and improve modularity.
– Finally, we wanted this important milestone to be memorable. With so many participants, we couldn’t create a human-scale experience that would have been obscured by the front rows. It had to be big and high enough to be visible to everyone.
To address these three challenges, we used 1000 Tetrix cubes and 100 iPads equipped with the WorkshopTM application.
→ Structure the space
To maximize discussions, we decided to divide the venue into four independent spaces. Each area was delimited by elegant partitions built with the cubes. At the entrance, we created large doors framed with colorful designs. Framing the space greatly improved the overall experience, from orientation to energy retention.
Cubes gave us great creative freedom, allowing us to build almost any shape, anywhere. 
They were delivered on pallets the day before the session, making them easy to move and saving time and energy. 
The space takes shape.
An area demarcated by cube partitions. It can be seen from the back that the partitions are also used for display purposes.
→ Collaborative tools
Our goals for both sessions were to ensure a high level of collaboration (despite the large number of participants) and to remain true to our green principles (by limiting waste and favoring paperless events).
Participants worked in small groups of 6-8 people to maximize exchanges. Each group had a white table and an iPad.
The white table had many advantages: participants, sitting at the same level, could all pick up a pen and start drawing spontaneously. This broke the traditional pattern of one person taking notes for the group.
The small groups used small tables (only two cubes), which brought participants closer together and prevented loud talking, thus keeping the energy focused.
Group setup: seven participants around a white table with two cubes and an iPad.
Participants drawing on a white table with an iPad displaying instructions.
Some participants created their own space. A perfect example of how cubes strengthen autonomy and engagement.
We also used the cubes in different ways during the event, proving their versatility.
They served as a "coffee table" on stage.
Information posts distributed throughout the space.
As well as a feedback box.
→ Create an emotional impact
For such a wide audience, we have imagined three large sculptures with different functions:
- A static knowledge wall , over 10 metres long and 2.4 metres high, allowing participants to leave messages and feedback.
2. A central, smaller totem displaying participants' ideas and results.
3. A 4-meter-high lighthouse , illuminated at the top, serving as an emblematic rallying point to make an impression.
This project was both daunting and exhilarating. Daunting because of the logistical challenges (building wireless infrastructure for 800 participants and transporting 1000 cubes across New Zealand from city to city). Exhilarating because of the talented and passionate people around us.
These two sessions were a huge success...
See you in 30 years! 😉