L+D EXPEDITION

Build a Team. Design Change.

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L+D Expedition is a national design challenge hosted by Leadership+Design, built for independent and public school teams ready to reimagine education through curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and action. 

Over six months, teams of educators and school leaders will engage in a dynamic blend of professional learning, coaching, and real-world design work, culminating in an optional in-person pitch competition that will occur adjacent to the 2027 NAIS Annual Conference* in Baltimore to compete for $15,000 in prizes.

While teams are encouraged to define their own design challenges, many will work within one of the following priority areas that reflect current needs and opportunities in education:

  • Student-Engaged Learning — Creating more meaningful, personalized learning experiences, especially to improve outcomes for boys

  • Civic & Community Engagement — Strengthening social fabric and community connection within and beyond school walls

  • Technology & AI in Education — Leveraging emerging tools to enhance teaching, learning, and ethical awareness

  • Student Wellbeing & Digital Literacy — Addressing the intersection of mental health, tech use, and school culture

  • Professional Growth & Assessment — Reimagining educator learning, collaboration, and feedback systems

  • Business Models and Enrollment Strategy for a Changing Market— Rethink value, strategy, and enrollment for today’s education market.

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Why Join L+D Expedition?

Leading Change is a Team Expedition

  • Build and test your skills in empathy, prototyping, and storytelling

  • Design real solutions to your specific school-based challenges

  • Build team capacity to lead and inspire change and innovation

  • Collaborate with a national network of changemakers and L+D’s design experts

  • Share your innovation journey and earn recognition across the broader L+D community

  • Flexibly choose to participate as a school-based team or a collaborative team across multiple organizations.

 What You'll Experience

  • Monthly webinars on design thinking practices with design expert “Trailblazer” speakers

  • Asynchronous Design Thinking Course for all team members with targeted materials for Team Captains

  • Waypoint Talks featuring thought leaders and innovators

  • Biweekly inspiration drops in our private online community

  • Personalized coaching to guide your design journey

  • An Expedition Field Kit with swag and design tools

  • Individual Membership to L+Doers Unite for participating Design Team members

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Expedition Itinerary

  • Teams who register from March-October 2026 will get early access to team supports and coaching.

  • October 2026–January 2027: Virtual Professional Learning, In-School Empathy & Prototyping, and Team Coaching

    • October 12-15 (Date and Time TBD)- Official Expedition Kick-off, including Intro to Design and Empathy Training with Trailblazer Speaker

    • November 9-13 (Date and Time TBD)- Prototyping Training with Trailblazer Speaker

    • November 30-December 11- Virtual Waypoint Speaker Series with live “Campfire” discussion sessions

    • January 11-15, 2027 (Date and Time TBD)- Storytelling Training, Trailblazer Speaker and Competition Logistics

  • January 29, 2027: Final Deliverable Submissions Due for Review. Finalists Invited to the Live Pitch Event & Award Ceremony

  • March 4, 2027: In-Person Pitch Event held adjacent to NAIS in Baltimore, MD.

  • March 2027: Celebration and National Recognition

Note: L+D Expedition is not affiliated with NAIS, we are hosting the Live Pitch Event adjacent to the NAIS Annual Conference to reduce barriers for teams to participate. Teams are not expected to participate in or pay for the conference registration.

Register to Secure Spot

Awards

Teams that opt in for the pitch competition will have the chance to compete for a $15,000 prize pool awarded to team members.

This includes:

  • $5,000 Grand Prize

  • 4 × $2,500 Runner-Up Awards

All completed submissions will be featured on the Leadership+Design website, announced at the Live Pitch Event and celebrated across our national network.

Cost

  • $3,500 per team (not per person)
    Includes full virtual professional development experience, coaching, Expedition Gear, team access to L+Doers Unite, entry to pitch competition for prizes and national recognition.

    • The registration cost is per team. The recommended team size should be in the range of 3-7 participants. Multiple teams per school are welcome.

  • Note: Participation grants are available for schools with demonstrated financial need. Email Tara@leadershipanddesign.org.

About Leadership+Design

Leadership+Design builds the capacity of leaders to be reflective changemakers, optimistic futurists, and human-centered design thinkers. L+D Expedition reflects our mission to create transformational, joyful learning experiences that move schools forward.

Ready to Join the L+D Expedition?

Registration is closed, but RSVP above and someone will reach out when registration opens.

Want to get involved as a design mentor, judge, or sponsor? Please reach out to Tara@leadershipanddesign.org.

Expedition Sponsors and Partners

Leadership+Design is grateful to these organizations for supporting innovation in schools and the L+D Expedition.

Join as a Sponsor