About the Explorers Program
The Shaw Innovation Explorers (“Explorers”) Program is an innovative student fellowship designed for proven creative and innovative UNH students to gain a 360-degree understanding of innovation through hands-on, high-impact experiences. The vision is to have a breadth of introductions and engagements with pioneering leaders in areas that include art, music, technology, science/marine, theater, municipalities, and New Hampshire and New England native industries. A training workshop provides the basics of innovation and start-up development.
INNOVATION EXPLORER SPEAKER SERIES
The Shaw Innovation Explorer Speaker Series will introduce both the Explorers group and the larger university and Seacoast communities to high-profile innovators and pioneers in their fields of expertise. This pioneer will take stage with David Shaw for an insightful and thoughtful conversation. In addition, a “Round-Table” session with the pioneer speaker and the Explorers will provide highly personalized conversation and interactions.
PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
The Shaw Innovation Explorers Program is possible due to the generous support of David E. Shaw '73, CEO Black Point Group, John Shaw, CEO of Itaconix (a company built on technology licensed from UNH), and the Shaw family.
- Embracing creativity and innovation over academic achievement
- Baseline understanding of Start-Up principles/Innovation Process including Customer Discovery
- Embrace diverse student backgrounds and collaboration
- Introduction to a wide range of types of innovation through hands-on experiences
- Application of learnings into a team project
- Fostering of innovation skills
- Hands-on project work
- Common lifelong fellowship among each Explorer cohort and ALL Explorers over time.
- Skill builder for success in post-graduate employment/entrepreneurship
- Participants can earn (2) Honors Units while gaining valuable hands-on experience and skills.
Person-to-person interactive experiences
Students to be “proven” adventurous, curious, and creative, innovative students before college or during their freshman year. Innovation over academic achievement is the priority.
Program’s required events/activities including:
- 3-Day Start-Up Camp
- Innovation Explorer Speaker Series and Explorer Roundtable
- Weekend Team Building/Outdoor type program
- Innovation Field Trips (4-5)
- Individuals or teams will develop an innovative project in the area of their choice to present in May
- 1-2 round-table events of Explorers with David Shaw and/or appropriate family members
- Presentation of the Explorer Project(s) at end of year to include a short video.
- Bi-weekly group Explorer round table sessions, 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm at the ECenter
