Welcome to REDI Futures: Where Learners Author the Future

In The REDI Lab, learners uncover and share - as only they can - ideas that the world needs

Cyrus McCrimmon

The Coleman Center is the home to REDI Lab

Tom Thorpe, REDI Lab Co-Founder + Director

Dear Readers,

Picture this: A student who dreams of creating a Spanish-language COVID public service announcement finds themselves pitching to Comcast executives. A Junior researching quantum computing connects with leading experts in the field. A young woman who sees herself as “just a girl, not good at sciences” discovers her true potential through mentorship and authentic exploration.

These aren’t hypotheticals—they’re real stories from the REDI Lab, and now they have a home: REDI Futures.

In REDI Lab students build community through telling their stories. (Cyrus McCrimmon)

Beyond the Classroom, Into the World

REDI Futures isn’t just another educational blog. It’s a living archive of transformation—a digital frontier where learners share their journeys from curiosity to impact. Here, we witness the evolution of ideas from “what if” to “what is.”

Each story in this collection is tagged with elements of our four foundational pillars:

Design Thinking threads through problem-solving narratives where students tackle everything from urban planning to healthcare disparities. You’ll trace their empathy, iteration, and breakthrough moments.

Agency pulses in every account of students taking ownership of their learning—like the Senior who transformed a cooking video concept into a platform teaching life skills for post-graduation survival.

Growth & Liminality resonates in stories of students embracing the uncomfortable in-between spaces where real learning happens—stepping off campus, engaging with new communities, and seeing themselves through fresh lenses.

Storytelling itself becomes the vehicle for reflection and connection, as learners document not just what they created, but who they became.

Why REDI Futures Matters

In Tom Thorpe’s words, “REDI Lab is just the beginning of a lifetime subscription to learning.” This platform extends that subscription to you, offering:

“Here, we’re living a model of education where instead of doing just what’s asked of them, learners are spending their time imagining what’s possible and expanding their vision. They start seeing themselves in new ways.”—Tom Thorpe, REDI Lab Director (Cyrus McKrimmon)

Inspiration: Real examples of young people solving real problems
Evidence: Tangible proof of what’s possible when students direct their own learning
Community: A bridge between current learners, alumni, and future innovators
Reflection: A mirror for learners to revisit their growth and celebrate their courage

Your Invitation to Explore

As you navigate these stories, you’ll encounter learners who held their ideas lightly—a REDI Lab mantra that celebrates pivoting, adapting, and capitalizing on the unexpected. You’ll meet students who discovered that their “inner lives,” often given little space in traditional education, contain the seeds of innovation.

Whether you’re a student seeking inspiration, an educator exploring new possibilities, or simply someone who believes in the transformative power of authentic learning, these stories are for you.

Immerse yourself. Learn from the triumphs and challenges. Celebrate the courage it takes to share one’s journey. At REDI Futures, we believe that by amplifying these voices, we’re not just documenting the present—we’re designing the future.

With Love and Optimism,
The REDI Lab Team