Meet Imagination Ambassador Izzy Jowett!
This is the fifth and final in a series introducing our Imagination Ambassadors. Through this program, we look to acknowledge and harness the energy of our experienced Chapter Leaders and to support and enhance their work in turn. Each has graciously agreed to serve in an advisory position to Imagination staff, and to assist in mentoring others and supporting the efforts and activities of Imagination.org. We welcome and appreciate their willingness to help us grow!
Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy
“Desperate to bring more creativity to our tiny primary school in Leuca, I was inspired by a UK friend to hold our first Cardboard Challenge in October 2014: I discovered the wonderful world of Caine’s Arcade and the Imagination Foundation and immediately fell in love with all that they do. I was absolutely ecstatic when I applied in summer 2015 and we were selected to join the Imagination Chapters Programme.
‘Fun Fridays’ regroups some 15 kids each week, aged 8 to 11. They speak Italian only and are indeed very latin and lively! We meet every Friday after school at the local tourist office where we picnic then play. Most rewarding has been seeing the children grow both individually and as a group: more confident, working together, persevering in finding solutions no matter the challenge.
My background in events and marketing is useful for organising activities but with no teacher training it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming on content. Thankfully, in addition to all the help from the team at Imagination Foundation, the Chapter Leaders Facebook Group has been a key resource for planning and support. And the friendships created there are truly special: we’ve linked with awesome Steve Auslander and his Chapter through their Super Grabber invention, with the amazing Kerstin Warner Rao and their Utopia project, and I had great online exchanges with the one and only Steve Sherman. In addition, Dee Kimbrell, Tonya Fletcher, Diana Fedora Tucci, so many truly inspiring people shared their creative wisdom and have helped me navigate this new territory. I look forward to connecting with other Chapters and will keep hoping for an Imagination Chapters global conference (hint hint).
We had many great times during our first year as an Imagination Chapter but the highlight was being asked to take part in the Science at Play project with Google. Such a fabulous week filming with ace crew Elizabeth Yng-Wong and Jerry Henry — a once in a lifetime opportunity for the kids and yet more fantastic materials that we continue to use every week.
If I had to chose one favourite inventor it would have to be Leonardo Da Vinci: I just love that he was the human embodiment of STEAM capacity — he did it all! From more modern times, I’m a great fan of British inventor Dominic Wilcox because he’s a brilliant inspiration for kids and his wacky inventions always put a smile on my face.
People are often curious about my current venture — a Glamping (luxury camping) site in Puglia — where I love to build fun stuff for kids young and old. Next projects include crazy golf and a Ninja Warrior obstacle course.”
Watch Izzy and her Chapter in the Science at Play series, made possible by Google.
