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Alphas Activate - Run of Show

Theme: The Future We're Building—Together

Event Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Main Program) | Networking & Tours until 7:30 PM

Location: Alpha School Austin (201 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701)

Audience: Strategic partners, super-connectors, ecosystem builders

Run of Show​

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (60 minutes): Enter the Ecosystem

  • Student-led arrival experience with Alpha ambassador hosts
  • Personalized check-in with Alpha Activation Badge featuring blank prompt: "As an Alpha Activator, I Pledge to..."
  • Light refreshments, live music, interactive student media wall
  • Optional "Alpha First Look Tours" guided by students (15-minute walkthroughs)
  • 2:50 PM: First call to main room
  • 2:55 PM: Final call to main room

3:00–5:00 PM — Core Learning Block (2 hours, just like Alpha)​

The official program opens with Gary framing the day through the lens of the Alpha model: two hours of focused learning followed by activation and connection. This segment is all about energy, clarity, and alignment. Gary builds anticipation by introducing Dr. Lael Alexander early—not to speak yet, but as a symbolic torchbearer of what's possible when someone becomes Alpha Activated.

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM (30 minutes): ACT I - Lighting the Spark

  • 3:00 PM - 3:05 PM (5 mins): Gary Sheng - Opening & Alpha Activator Framework
    • Topic: The Alpha Way - two hours of focused learning followed by activation and connection
    • Live audience prompt via QR: "What's one thing you wish every student had access to?"
    • Early introduction: "Later today, you'll meet Dr. Lael Alexander—someone who took Alpha's call personally and is building for it."
  • 3:05 PM - 3:10 PM (5 mins): Chris Locke - Head of Alpha High School
    • Topic: How Alpha High iterated to its current success and what it takes to create a new school
  • 3:10 PM - 3:18 PM (8 mins): MacKenzie Price - Founder of Alpha Schools
    • Topic: Founding story, courage, and community
  • 3:18 PM - 3:23 PM (5 mins): Alpha in Motion
    • Student testimonials showcasing Alpha learning in action
  • 3:23 PM - 3:30 PM (7 mins): Experience Transition
    • Gary: "Now let's envision the future of learning together. Time for our workshop."

3:30 PM - 3:50 PM (20 minutes): ACT II - Future of Learning Workshop

  • Facilitated audience workshop: "What Should the Future of Learning Be?"
  • Discussion topics:
    • Current issues and gaps in education today
    • Elements of an ideal educational experience
    • How we create an educational renaissance together
  • Participatory format with voice transcription capturing all audience input
  • AI-generated narrative: Live creation of a short story about how the Alpha Activate audience helps build the educational future we envision
  • AI story reading: Culminates with AI reading the generated narrative back to the room

3:50 PM - 4:00 PM (10 minutes): Transition Break

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (60 minutes): ACT III - Sample Alpha Lecture: Dr. Lael Alexander

  • 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM (30 mins): Dr. Lael Alexander - Alpha Lecture Demo
    • Sample lecture demonstrating the caliber of education possible in the Alpha ecosystem
    • Topic: "From Shenzhen to Alpha - Engineering the Future of Learning"
    • Personal journey: How foundational science and engineering thinking transforms education
    • Vision: Schools on autopilot and the next generation of builders
  • 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM (30 mins): Futures Discussion & Q&A
    • Strategic Q&A with audience about educational partnerships and possibilities
    • Challenge prompt: "What would you build if you were Alpha Activated?"

5:00–5:40 PM — Activation & Connection​

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM (30 minutes): Alphas Activate! - Commitment Stations

  • 5:00 PM - 5:05 PM (5 mins): Gary explains Alpha Activator commitment paths
  • 5:05 PM - 5:20 PM (15 mins): Choose Your Activation Station:
    • Invest: Fund new Alpha programs, partner with Lael's tech, support expansion
    • Host: Bring Alpha to your network, connect us to the right people
    • Amplify: Leverage your platform to spread Alpha's message
    • Build: Co-create new tools, curriculum, tech, or experiences
  • 5:20 PM - 5:30 PM (10 mins): Collective Commitment Circle
    • Everyone who has completed their commitment holds up their Alpha Activation Badge
    • Mic goes around the room: "My name is [X] and I commit to [X]"
    • All commitments voice recorded for live synthesis

5:30 PM - 5:40 PM (10 minutes): The Signal - Closing Synthesis

  • Gary Sheng
    • Real-time synthesis of audience data and commitments from throughout the day
    • Playback and integration of actual voices from the Collective Commitment Circle
    • "This is what the future of learning looks like when we build it together"
    • Call-to-action: "Welcome to the Alpha Circle. Let's build forward, together."

5:40 PM - 7:30 PM (Optional): The Circle Expands - Reception & Deep Dives

  • Extended networking with premium hors d'oeuvres and live music
  • Dr. Lael Alexander Tech Studio: Live demonstrations of cutting-edge educational technology, 1:1 strategy chats, and hands-on exploration of Alpha ecosystem integration
  • Ongoing Alpha Tours for deeper campus exploration
  • Themed conversation areas by commitment type (Invest • Host • Amplify • Build)
  • Optional media booth: Record 30-second Alpha pledge or reflection
  • This is where guests can experience Dr. Lael Alexander's actual technology demonstrations and engage in strategic discussions about implementation