The Literacy Lab - Where We Are

Please check this page for periodic updates on the Literacy Lab. We aim to update monthly. 

Literacy Lab Where We Are Updates

We’ve now entered the prototyping phase. Since January 2025, we’ve engaged with folks who have insights into three solution areas the lab will focus on: newcomer reading instruction, literacy within Indigenous families, and the overlooked early years of literacy development.

In March, we hosted a Solution Identification Workshop, where we brainstormed and tested bold ideas to see which ones had the most potential to become real solutions.

This April, we’re holding Solution Refining & Prioritization Workshops, where we’ll select one bold idea per focus area to develop and prototype for the rest of 2025.

 

The Literacy Lab - What's Been Happening

Our journey in the Literacy Lab so far: Early 2024 – Laying the Foundation The journey began in February 2024 with the official launch of the Literacy Lab, setting the stage for a year of exploration, collaboration, and learning. By April 2024, momentum picked up with the Lab Counsel Launch, bringing together key stakeholders and community voices. This was accompanied by the first round of Community Systems Workshops, where initial ideas and shared challenges began to take shape. 🧠 Spring to Summer 2024 – Understanding the System In May 2024, the focus turned toward Initial Challenge Mapping, diving deeper into the context and lived realities influencing the system. These efforts continued through additional Community Systems Workshops, helping connect patterns and perspectives. June 2024 marked the start of intensive Mapping, Research, and Interviews, culminating in a Lab Counsel Map Review to reflect and validate emerging insights. The work deepened over the summer, with ongoing research and interviews extending into July and August. These months also featured a Teacher Candidate Workshop and the Indigenous Perspectives Circle, ensuring that diverse, grounded experiences informed the evolving picture. 🛠 Fall 2024 – Deeper Engagement The fall brought opportunities to synthesize and reframe. In October 2024, Mapping & Interview Updates provided fresh insights, which were further explored in a Lab Counsel Workshop. In November, the momentum continued with another round of Community Systems Workshops, followed by a Literacy Counsel Meeting in December to prepare for the shift from understanding to action. 💡 Early 2025 – From Insight to Action With a strong foundation in place, January 2025 saw the start of Solution Brief Development, translating insights into concrete, community-rooted ideas. This was followed by Community Solutions Workshops in February 2025, where stakeholders collaborated to refine potential paths forward. Finally, in April 2025, the project enters a key phase with Proposed Solution Workshops, setting the stage for tangible change and implementation.

 

 

 

 The Literacy Lab - What's Coming Up

  • Once we select bold ideas to prototype, we’ll form three dedicated Solution Teams. These teams will be made up of individuals well positioned to test the prototype throughout the rest of 2025.
  • Lit Lab Photos

Are you interested and want to be involved?

Learn More Back to the Main Page

 

 

Calgary Foundation Logo

The Literacy Lab is generously funded by an anonymous donor through the Calgary Foundation.

Stay tuned for project updates and ways to engage.