Digital Media Academy Presents:

Global Innovation Race

Fuel your passion for technology and innovation while future-proofing your skills with the summer experience of a lifetime!

Join the international call to action for students across the globe and design solutions that will shape the future.

Digital Media Academy

Global Innovation Race 2024

Led by leading educators and industry experts, Digital Media Academy has been preparing the next generation of global leaders with world-class STEAM programs since 1999. Join our global youth innovator community for a summer experience that will shape your future.

Immerse yourself in the world of AI and emerging tech, exploring their role in driving innovation. Engage in solving global challenges while honing your design, social, and entrepreneurial skills. Draw inspiration from local tech scenes and diverse cultures. Build a global network, forge lifelong friendships, and create indelible memories—all within an experience tailored for 13-17-year-olds.

Our programs have been taught in world-renowned institutions like Stanford, NYU, Georgetown, UCLA, Oxford, and McGill University. Today, we’ve left our mark in over 1,000 schools across 125 countries, introducing 500,000+ students to the world of STEAM.

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Experience the world’s

Most Innovative Cities

Global Innovation Race takes place where diverse cultures, cutting-edge technology, thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems, and a commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration converge.

Learn more about GIR Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley, USA

July 17-27, 2024

Learn more about GIR NYC

New York City, USA

July 07-17, 2024

Learn more about GIR Rwanda

Kigali, Rwanda

July 07-17, 2024

Global Innovation Race is for you if…

  • you’re 13-17 years old.
  • you’re curious about emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how to use them for human-centered innovation.
  • you want to drive impactful change by addressing challenges facing our global community.
  • you’re looking to develop your design, social, and entrepreneurial thinking skills, and become a global innovator.
  • you’re ready to move outside your comfort zone, make international connections, and build lasting friendships. 

We have impacted over 500,000 students since 1999. Now it’s your turn!

Global Youth Innovator Forum

Global Youth Innovator Forum

Global Innovation Race participants will receive a one-year membership to the Global Youth Innovator Forum, an online membership community that provides students with opportunities to continue learning, collaborating, and innovating.

Members attend sessions on topics related to emerging technologies, innovation, entrepreneurship, and global challenges. Led by Stanford educators, mentors, and industry experts, these sessions allow students to network and learn.

Members apply their collaboration skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems and create innovative solutions. These challenges are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Members join a multi-national community where they can strengthen their connections with fellow Global Innovation Race participants, meet students from other cohorts, and collaborate to share their ideas, feedback, and support.

Designed by Leading Educators 

Stanford Educator Glenn Fajardo

Glenn Fajardo

DMA Chief Learning Officer • Lecturer at Stanford d.school • Former Director of Co-Design Practice @ TechSoup

Glenn believes in the power of connection to spark creativity across distances and cultures. Teaching at Stanford’s d.school since 2014 and serving as the Distributed Learning Teaching Fellow in 2020, he explores how collaboration can thrive even when we’re apart.

With 14 years of experience in virtual collaboration spanning six continents, Glenn focuses on social impact work. Alongside Kursat Ozenc, he co-authored “Rituals for Virtual Meetings: Creative Ways to Engage People and Strengthen Relationships.” Previously, as the Director of the Co-Design Practice at TechSoup, Glenn championed technology’s potential for social change. Trained in nuclear engineering sciences and public policy, he also enjoys playing electric bass and cooking in others’ kitchens.

Chris Bennett

Chris Bennett

DMA Learning and Engagement Specialist • Affiliate, Stanford University Graduate School of Education • Game Designer

Chris is an award-winning Game Designer and Stanford-invited lecturer who has combined creative ideas with digital engagement to reach millions of players with his credited games. Chris teaches, studies, and practices ways to apply his science of Game Design Thinking to improve lives in the real world.

Chris has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment software industry, including three very successful franchises; The Sims, Diner Dash, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour.

Chris has talked about games and game design for major media outlets, including NBC TV, NPR, Forbes.com, and the San Francisco Chronicle. He is called on by organizations such as Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, and USAID for his game design expertise.

With developing three key skills in mind..

Design Thinking

Design Thinking

You will explore the core skills of Design Thinking, delving into human-centered design to understand people’s needs deeply. You’ll learn to switch between different types of thinking—divergent and convergent—during your creative process, a key skill in problem-solving.

Iteration will become your ally as you tackle challenges, helping you shape problems and craft effective solutions. And through the principle of “building to think,” you’ll bring your ideas to life, refining them in real-time, seeing how they transform and improve along the way. It’s all about hands-on learning and watching your creativity evolve.

Social Thinking

Social Thinking

You’ll tackle the challenge of building social skills in our tech-centric world. Through collaborative activities, you’ll learn the art of trust and safety within groups.

We’ll guide you in embracing vulnerability and transparency, transforming interactions from awkwardness to openness. By the end, you’ll leave with more than just newfound skills. You’ll have an international network of lifelong friends and fellow innovators, all thanks to your enhanced ability to connect and collaborate.

Entrepreneurial Thinking

Entrepreneurial Thinking

In this rapidly changing world, it’s crucial to know how to create compelling, sustainable value in any field. The key is to think like an entrepreneur. You’ll explore market potentials, craft robust value propositions, and pave the way toward financial sustainability.

But that’s not all. You’ll also delve into the art of sales and marketing, equipping yourself with the tools to eloquently convey the value of your ideas. These skills will be your bridge to success, allowing you to not only create value but effectively communicate it to the world.

Hear from our alumni…

“We flew all the way from Beijing to join the Innovation Race and were super excited to see the diverse groupings. We saw students coming out of their comfort zone and trying to face their social awkwardness. They had a great experience working with other groups from schools around the world. Additionally, today we must develop the soft skills and executive skills to work in the AI era, and the groups and tasks that DMA created helped the students to come out and develop those skills. ”

Sam Rajesh

Sam Rajesh
2023 Chaparone, Beijing World Youth Academy

Start preparing for an amazing summer today!

Start your journey by submitting a free, non-binding application and one of our GIR Experience Managers will get in touch to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the booking process, including details on our program campuses, how to select the right location, and what to expect when you arrive.

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@digitalmediaacademy
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