Unleashing Creativity and Empowering Young Minds: Teaching Web 3 and NFTs to Students at Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy in New Orleans.
As an NFT collector and rap music creator from the city of New Orleans, LA spreading the knowledge of Web 3 and the leveraging of tools like Blockchain, NFTs, and CRYPTO is at the top of my priority list. I am grateful that this journey of innovation through music and art has led me to be in a position where I can begin passing on insights I have learned and wisdom from experiences in Web 3 to the next generation.
I am a person who moves through purpose. Naturally when I got the opportunity to teach children something I am so passionate about it was a no brainer. I honestly had no idea that the WIFI KIDS NFT Project would be so unique and diverse when I first met these wonderful group of students September 2022.
By introducing the concepts of Web 3 and NFTs, the students embarked on a journey that not only expanded their understanding but also sparked their creativity and passion. Through the power of hands-on learning and individual expression, the students were able to explore the possibilities of Web 3 in a tangible way, all while discovering and expressing themselves about their own unique interests and talents.
From the very beginning, it was evident that getting to know the students and understanding their passions and interests was crucial in establishing a meaningful connection. Recognizing that each child possessed a distinct set of talents and preferences, I made it a priority to create a comfortable and inclusive environment where every voice was heard. It’s something I like to call (Identifying your Superpower). Powerful tools like blockchain and NFTs can be leveraged as catalysts and creative and financial energizers that can help someone unlock their inner talents or simply push forward an already ongoing niche, interest, skill, or craft in amazing undeniable ways. With that said, having the children identify their personal interest or express their talents was a great approach to introducing them to Web 3 methods of creation and business.
On a daily basis we would spend a couple hours together during their After School Program finishing up their homework coloring and learning our WIFI KIDS class objectives. During the time it actually took for the students to become familiar with Web 3, this time was also a great opportunity for us to bond as teacher and pupils. I eventually came to know each student very well. The fundamental learning and foundational intellectual aspect of the student teacher relationship also became our chance to plant positive seeds and form a genuine bond as a class.
Mastering the Basics:
Before diving into the more complex aspects of Web 3 and NFTs, it was essential for the students to grasp fundamental concepts. Over the course of their first semester, they focused on defining ownership, assets, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and NFTs. I intentionally crafted a lesson plan that made these concepts simple and easy to understand and relatable to the young learners.
Through interactive discussions, hands-on exercises, and engaging presentations, the students gradually developed a solid understanding of the technology behind Web 3 and the unique reality and utility of non-fungible tokens. As their knowledge grew, so did their excitement to explore the creative possibilities that awaited them.
Empowering Creative Control:
Armed with a solid foundation in Web 3 and NFTs, the students were now ready to exercise their creativity and take ownership of their learning journey. In class I then begin to introduce them to the idea and process of designing their own NFT characters, providing them with an outlet for self-expression and imaginative exploration.
Before the design process began I had to make sure I contacted each student’s parents in order to get permission slips signed by their guardians consenting that it would be okay if photos of the children could be taken in order for the graphic designer to be able to illustrate characters that actually portrayed the appearance of each student in real life.
For about a week and half straight each day 1 by 1 I would chat with a student about ideas he or she had for how they envisioned their WIFI KID character animation would look. Hair, shoes, niche, colors, etc. The students had the control to design their characters however they could imagine. We also expressed and shared these collective ideas as a group and celebrated one another’s ideas creating even more of an enriching experience for the students as peers.
I wrote down all of their ideas and details for their individual characters and then sent the design breakdowns over to a graphic designer I had been working with for alot of my previous music releases in Web 3 by the name of Matt Hendrix Art to draw and illustrate their characters.
The resulting NFT collection was a testament to the diverse range of personalities and interests within the group. From doctors to athletes, superheroes to artists, the students unleashed their creativity and brought their unique visions to life. With guidance and insight, they learned about digital art, design principles, and the process of minting their creations as NFTs.
The Power of Web 3 in Action:
Late December 2023, the students and myself actually got an opportunity to see our creations on display. At the end of each semester it is standard for the After School Program (Community Works) to curate a culminating event. Essentially each grade level from 1ST-4TH all would get to perform display or present something to everyone that showed what they had learned so far.
For a little while I thought about what we would do and it hit me. I decided to roll in a television in which I connected to from a HDMI wire to my IPHONE and displayed each WIFI KID (Digital Character) to the entire after school program. Everyone got a first hand exclusive view into the WIFI KIDS NFT (Collection) before it was even deployed onto the blockchain.
The moment was nothing short of a Web 3 exploration. Displaying the work we had all put in up until that point as well as preparing everyone who witnessed the presentation for what was to come in the future.
The culmination of this transformative learning experience was the realization that Web 3 and NFTs offered far more than just a new technology; they opened doors to a world of possibilities. The students not only understood the mechanics of blockchain and NFTs but also witnessed firsthand the potential for ownership and monetization of their creations.
Beyond the classroom, this experience truly instilled a sense of empowerment and self-confidence in the students. They recognized the value of their ideas and creativity, realizing that they had the tools to make a meaningful impact in the digital realm.
Roadmap:
A key aspect of the roadmap was the allocation of treasury funds to provide each student with their own ledger wallets. These wallets would allow the students to securely store their personally created WIFI KIDS NFTs. By providing them with a tangible tool for digital ownership, this intention would empower the students to take full control of their NFT collections.
This strategic decision not only emphasized the importance of security and ownership but also introduced the students to the practical aspects of managing digital assets in a decentralized ecosystem.
By incorporating the ledger wallets into the project's roadmap, this would not only enrich the students' understanding of blockchain technology but also ensure that they were actively participating in the Web 3 ecosystem. Resulting in a remarkable demonstration of how education can align with real-world applications and prepare young minds for the future of digital innovation.
Web 3 Adjustments:
Furthermore, during the second semester of the program, an adjustment was made to the original roadmap of the WIFI KIDS NFT project. Despite only being able to sell out half of the collection, Good News Bas remained dedicated to creating a meaningful experience for the students.
Recognizing the importance of tangible connections to their digital creations, the decision was made to shift the focus from purchasing ledger wallets to transforming each WIFI KID NFT into physical art pieces. This innovative approach ensured that, even without the immediate acquisition of ledger wallets, the students could still take home their NFTs as physical artworks during the summer break.
By printing the NFTs as physical art pieces, the students were able to have a tangible representation of their digital creations in the real world. This not only would allow them to showcase their artistic talents to family and friends but also provided a sense of pride and accomplishment as they witnessed their NFTs taking shape beyond the digital realm.
The transformation of the NFTs into physical art pieces bridged the gap between the digital and physical worlds, providing the students with a unique and memorable keepsake from their participation in the WIFI KIDS project. These physical artworks served as a constant reminder of their creative abilities and the endless possibilities that Web 3 and NFTs offered.
While the original intention of purchasing ledger wallets was temporarily deferred, the decision to pivot towards physical art pieces for the students' NFTs demonstrated unique Web 3 adaptability and commitment to ensuring a valuable and enriching experience. It reinforced the idea that innovation and creativity can find alternate paths, allowing the students to continue their exploration of the digital landscape while also embracing the tangible aspects of traditional art.
As the school year came to a close, the students proudly took home their physical NFT art pieces, cherishing them as unique treasures that reflected their individuality and creative prowess. This shift in focus not only provided a solution in the face of a challenge but also taught the students the importance of adaptability and finding alternative avenues to achieve their goals.
Through their physical NFT art pieces, the students have a tangible reminder of their journey into the world of Web 3, NFTs, and the power of their own creativity. They have become pioneers in this emerging field, leaving an indelible mark on the intersection of art, technology, and education.
