ATLAS OF HUMAN IMAGINATION

Concepts in the Real World

To demonstrate the huge influence of the visionary people in the Atlas of Human Imagination (a curated selection), we have imagined and analysed three everyday scenarios - things that we typically take for granted:

1. Flying on holiday
2. Visiting a hospital and
3. Going to the supermarket

In all cases, the impact that their imaginative concepts and research has had on our lives is staggering in its depth and diversity. The sum of their combined work is certainly much larger than the individual parts.

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How Did Modern Computing Emerge?

Many of the visionaries profiled in the Atlas of Human Imagination were instrumental in the development of computing.

The following report does a deep-dive into the world of computers, showing who and what the pivotal moments were - spanning almost 2000 years.

Their combined genius reminds us that modern computing isn’t just “tech”; it’s a tapestry of human creativity, imagination and collaboration.

Click on the image here for more Computing information and lesson plans 👇

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Across many education systems, there is a growing emphasis on understanding:

1. How knowledge comes about,
2. How to evaluate whether a theory is correct,
3. How different areas of knowledge connect, and
4. How collective knowledge shapes our lives as citizens.

The Atlas of Human Imagination provides important answers to these questions, emphasising our shared collective knowledge, cross-disciplinarity, connections with everyday life, the importance of daring to use our imagination and overcoming the fear of failure.

The document below can be used by teachers to • initiate TOK discussions • understand that knowledge arises in different ways • inspire interdisciplinary projects • encourage critical and creative thinking • connect classroom content to the real world.

Click on the image here for more TOK information and lesson plans 👇

Physical, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)

The visionaries profiled in the Atlas of Human Imagination were extraordinarily brilliant, yet they were also profoundly human - subject to illness, loss, isolation, prejudice, financial instability and personal struggles.

Their lives show us that adversity is not necessarily a barrier but can be a catalyst: through resilience, determination and unwavering passion, they transformed their hardship into focus, creativity and discovery.

By studying their journeys, we can find inspiration, empathy and hope — a reminder that, even in the face of life’s constant challenges, remarkable accomplishments are within reach.

Click on the image here for more PSHE information and lesson plans 👇

Internationalisation

Please note: this content is internationally-adaptable and supports not only International Baccalaureate (IB), but also AP Capstone in the US; Philosophie in France; Bachillerato in Spain; Fächerübergreifendes Lernen in Abitur in Germany; Liceo Classico, Liceo Scientifico and PCTO in Italy; EPQ, PSHE and General Studies A-level in the UK; Liberal Studies & Enrichment in Hong Kong; Core Competencies in China; Knowledge & Inquiry (KI) in Singapore; Global Citizenship in Japan; Atal Tinkering Labs in India etc.