MBRF/Edison Innovation Center
Client Background
The National Museum of Education contacted Caler&Company to help in the collaboration with the Edison Innovation Foundation, in response to an RFP to provide innovation processes and methodologies throughout the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). This includes an Edison Innovation Center in the City of Dubai, housing inspiring classrooms, laboratories, workshops, business development centers, marketing/media studios and the Arab Inventors’ Hall of Fame.
The proposal focuses on fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and actively engaging students and teachers in the motivational curriculae practiced by the inspirational inventor, Thomas A. Edison, and taught by the National Museum of Education.
The Challenge:
The GCC sought to shift away from being largely an importer of science, technology, entrepreneurship and business start-ups and create and apply knowledge that addresses the specific challenges facing the region. Current education systems do not encourage innovative thinking, current cultural standards limit creativity and there is a lack of governmental support to promote research and development. The MBRF Foundation seeks global support to help reform education systems and create a culture that appreciates and rewards innovation throughout Dubai and the GCC.
The Outcome:
Caler&Company’s innovative proposal for Dubai features Thomas Edison. It showcased Edison photos, quotes, his 1989 Westinghouse light bulb base with a palm tree photo and desert palm tree seeds inside and a short story demonstrating Dubai’s potential for a preferred future.
The proposal also included: an introduction to and detailed floor plans and architectural rendering of the proposed MBRF/Edison Innovation Center in Dubai; information about MBRF/Edison Innovation Center’s goals, visions, benefits and featured Web-based seminars, a Mobile Museum and laboratories; an MBRF/Edison Innovation Trainer Certification, qualifying trainers to teach throughout the GCC; literature on the National Gallery for America’s Young Inventors, the Edison Innovation Foundation, Thomas Edison and his global contributions; as well as educational videos on the Man of the Millennium, Everyday Edison: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Ideas and the National Museum of Education’s Inventucation?
To support National Museum of Education leadership with their presentation to students and Dubai guests at the Team Edison Seminar, Caler&Company developed a five-minute video from hours of rough cut film highlighting the Inventucation process in the classroom.
“I just want you to know that the presentation box and binder regarding the establishment of the MBRF Edison Innovation Center with the Prince of Dubai's Foundation and our Edison Foundations throughout the Arab World was a reflection of your creativity, ability to digest facts and foundation missions clearly, understand the relationship between foundations in dealing with the Government and Private Sector, and above all, your exceptional competence. We have dealt with many consulting companies over the years to help develop the brand and image of Thomas Edison and can clearly state Caler & Company is the best. You only achieve that status once you understand what the philanthropic sector does, and should do, to enhance the communities in which we live. Keep up the good work!”
John P. Keegan
Chairman
Charles Edison Fund and Edison Innovation Foundation
“We just wanted to tell you how much we appreciated all of the time and energy, and the creative force that it took to make this happen. When we think that we have the opportunity to use what we have spent many years developing to possibly increase world awareness, and to make some small part of a movement which could open eyes to the similarities between youth in America and in the Middle East, we are totally thankful. Once again, you have done an outstanding job. Thank you again.”
Gay Evans
Assistant Executive Director
National Museum of Education