[ Home ] [ Getting Started ] [ Forums ] [ Links ] [ Workshop ]
[ Projects ] [ Schools ] [ Organizers and Mentors ] [ Credits ]
Doreen Nelson is an educational theorist, researcher, curriculum designer
and author. At California State Polytechnic University at Pomona she is a
Professor in the School of Education and Integrative Studies and an Adjunct
Professor in the College of Environmental Design, where she has created the
nation's first master of arts degree program with an emphasis on Design and
Creativity. Her methodology demonstrates how design and creativity enhance and extend the teaching of math, sciences, language arts and social studies.
Nelson founded and directs the Center for City Building Education (CBE). CBE methodology uses the built environment of the city in which students - of any age - design and construct a city of the future in their classroom to unlock and speed up the transformational skills associated with creative thinking. It has been practiced world-wide in public schools, museums and universities.
CBE-Online, Nelson's latest project, connects computers and simulated experiences with the physical world in a way that optimizes technology while filling the hands-on learning needs of students as they internalize the greater meaning of community. In Japan, CBE is being introduced into the Japanese national curriculum.
Nelson's achievements have been well recognized by the New Times which named her as one of the thirty most innovative educators in America and she was elected an Honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects, one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow on a person outside the architecture profession.
Nelson is at the forefront of computer software development and implementation. She helped design SIM City and SIM Life and wrote their teacher curriculum guides. Nelson has authored several books, produced and directed films, and is presently designing exhibitions for the Museum of Creativity to be built by the Milken Family Foundation. She is co-chairing a Global Summit on Design in Education organized by the Worldesign Foundation.