In this activity, we hope to help you brainstorm a Lil Lab idea that you are excited about.
I will be guiding through the below worksheet and asking subquestions to help get your creative juices flowing. Before starting this activity, make sure you review our community values:
The below questions are meant to be springboards for your Lil Lab ideas — there's no rulebook to follow here. You're the expert on your community, so let your creativity and passions lead the way!
Actions:
What are some traditions that are important for you, your family, friends, and your community?
What are some skills you have that you would like to share with the broader community
What are some new skills or interests you would like to develop or learn more about?
Places:
What is the natural environment in your community?
What are common animals?
How do you interact with the natural environment?
What are some of your favorite spots/animals?
What is the built environment of your community?
What are some places people like to hang out?
What are some of your favorite spots?
Communities:
Who inspires you?
Who do you care about?
Are there certain organizations you care about — like the school you went to or a non-profit/business with a mission close to you heart?
Connections:
Which groups or individuals would you like to bring together through your Lil Lab?
Knowledge:
What do you want to learn?
What do you hope your community will learn through interacting with you Lil Lab?
Materials:
Are there cool materials you would like to share with your community?
What are some materials you could share in your Lil Lab that would foster connections and help you and your community share knowledge?
Some additional questions to think about:
When you think of the Lil Labs core/community values (discussed above), what do you feel? How does that drive interactions in your day to day life? What do you strive to know? How do you think you can help?
But of course — this worksheet is one idea. Lil Labs do not need to be physical structures, they can be websites, workshops, community dinners, and/or book clubs. Feel free to browse the 'Explore Our Little Labs in Action!' section in the 'Home' tab of this website. You can also view the bios of people in our first Lil Lab cohort in the 'Team' tab.
For further inspiration about what your community needs, we recommend you talk to talk to your friends, neighbors, and family. What are they excited about and interested in? You have expertise through relationships in your community. You can also attend community meetings, meet with local non-profits and businesses, and join community social media groups. Is there something you are passionate about that you notice doesn’t exist in your community?
