Playshops Engage Students In a New Way

“I didn’t know what to expect and I am blown away by how much fun I had.”  That is one of many positive responses the FORGE (Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs) team has heard about the new Playshop program. Playshops are interactive experiences designed to provide students with opportunities to explore core identity, resilience, and entrepreneurial mindset, in a reflective, inclusive, and engaging setting. 

The program was launched by FORGE Coordinator of Entrepreneurial Mindset Development, Kelly King.  King brings 25 years of experience working in higher education, corporate environments, and entrepreneurial ventures to the FORGE team.  She is dedicated to creating spaces where individuals are seen and know that they are valued.  

“Initially, the concept came from a conversation we had as a team,” said King. “How can we bring entrepreneurial mindset concepts and skill development to the larger campus community but do so in a way where every student can identify with the program? In other words, not putting the label on a program as “entrepreneur” but presenting it in a way where all students can see themselves participating in the program and feel welcomed in the environment.” 

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Playshops answer that question.  They are a fun, inspiring experience where all students, regardless of major or college, can learn skills for navigating life successfully. Many of these skills are the same core skills that FORGE has identified as crucial to building successful ventures - recognizing opportunities, comfort with risk, being creative and innovative, flexibility and adaptability, initiative, and self-reliance, being future-oriented, critical thinking and problem-solving and being an effective communicator and collaborator. 

The program was called “Playshop” because the focus is on the process, not the outcome, just as play is a state of being that sparks enjoyment and encourages people to be open to outcomes. Each session is designed to be delivered in 60 minutes. The experience is highly interactive and facilitated in person. 

Currently, there are two Playshops offered with more to be developed. The "Saying Hello to Core Identity" Playshop encourages participants to work through questions like "What might the world be like if we introduced ourselves to others, not through the lens of the roles we play but rather who we are at our core? What might we create together if we intentionally navigated our lives using the lens of who we truly are?"   And the "Resilient You" Playshop encourages participants to explore how they have been resilient and how they can continue to cultivate resiliency in their lives.  It covers the power of intention and how important being resilient is to navigating life.

“We create an environment where there is an emphasis on the challenge by choice– they engage in the session in a way that feels good for them…and I have been pleasantly surprised how willing participants have been to stretch and play with their own vulnerabilities, ideas, and beliefs,” said King. 

Each participant leaves a Playshop with an action plan that includes a step they can take to implement what they learned. Two key elements help students achieve their goals - these are the opportunities to engage with other students to learn from their peers and get support for acting on their goals; and introspective activities that supply clarity for everyone to form a plan to take sustainable action toward achieving their goals. While Playshop sessions are not focused specifically on academic achievement, there are applications from the Playshop experience that translate to the classroom experience. Through the personal insight and action planning involved in each session, students can receive clarity on what they need and what their first step can be to address their academic challenges. Another step a participant may take is to make an appointment with the FORGE team to learn more about entrepreneurial mindset development, making it a wonderful way for the campus community to get acquainted with FORGE.  

“It offers students an impactful experience that is low risk,” said Paul Valdez, Program Manager for Student Venture Pathways. “I see it as a great way to introduce students to what possibilities exist to create their future through entrepreneurial thinking.”   

Any University of Arizona faculty, staff, and student leaders can request a Playshop. “Prior to scheduling a Playshop, we speak extensively with the requestor,” said King. “We want to understand the students that are going to participate and we want to be prepared to meet any needs the students may have to participate fully in the session. We are excited about the possibilities of bringing the FORGE Playshops to every student through invitations from faculty, staff, and student leaders across campus.” 

“My favorite thing about the Playshop program is the focus on what is possible when we play with new ways to bring learning to students," comments King. “I truly think the sky is the limit when it comes to a program like this.” 

To learn more about Playshops and request one for your group, please visit the Playshop website here.