The Belgian NGO MyMachine — active worldwide — is exhibiting a selection of Dream Machines at the Royal Palace, including the Ghost Hunter, the Rotating Bunk Bed, and the Argument Resolver. In short, a wide range of creative ideas: small, large, for personal use or to tackle a global challenge.
MyMachine is a unique methodology that connects the three levels of education in three steps over one academic year:
- Step 1: primary school children come up with a Dream Machine. Anything goes.
- Step 2: higher education students develop a Concept for it.
- Step 3: students from technical/vocational secondary education build a Working Prototype of it.
Whilst we, the adults, are experts at dismissing our own ideas and those of others, children are not. They still see potential in almost everything. And we can learn so much from that, because it is precisely those so-called ‘impossible’ ideas that can lead to significant (economic) progress in the long term.
Plus, in the grand scheme of things, if we genuinely desire breakthrough solutions, we must nurture those who dare to think differently to tackle all the challenges we face in creating a prosperous, inclusive future for all. Those groundbreaking – often initially perceived as “crazy” – ideas come from those with the guts to voice them and bring them to life.
Who knows, perhaps during your visit you'll also come up with a creative idea that might one day become a reality?