Education Innovation Leader & Hands-On Learning Advocate; Founder of Brightworks School & Tinkering School; Author
Gever Tulley Biography
Gever Tulley is a writer, speaker, educator, entrepreneur, and computer scientist recognized for his work in education innovation, hands-on learning, and child development. Tulley is the founder of Brightworks School, Tinkering School, the nonprofit Institute for Applied Tinkering, and educational kit company Tinkering Labs. A self-taught computer scientist, Tulley is known for his focus on encouraging independent thinking and empowering children to explore and learn through direct experience.
Tinkering School, established by Tulley, operates on the belief that children are capable of solving real-world problems when provided with real tools and opportunities. The program offers a week-long overnight experience near San Francisco, where participants collaborate on large-scale projects such as roller coasters, rope bridges, and tree houses. The school’s philosophy centers on learning through doing, emphasizing the value of making mistakes, collaboration, and building ambitious projects.
Tulley’s perspectives on childhood, risk, and creativity have reached a global audience through his writing and public speaking. He delivered a TED Talk titled "50 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do," advocating for supervised risk-taking as a means to foster learning and resilience. Tulley has also authored "Fifty Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do)" and the TED e-book "Beware Dangerism!" His TED Talks, books, and media appearances have contributed to ongoing discussions about self-directed learning, creativity in education, and the benefits of playful tinkering experiences for children.
Tulley founded Brightworks School in San Francisco, which utilizes a project-based learning framework called the Brightworks Arc. This approach organizes learning into three phases: exploration, expression, and exposition, moving away from traditional subject-based classes. The framework has been studied internationally as a model for integrating maker-centered learning with academic rigor, and Brightworks has been recognized as an innovative educational institution.
Through Tinkering Labs, Tulley extends hands-on, discovery-based learning into homes and classrooms by producing open-ended educational kits that encourage exploration of concepts such as electric motors and engineering. The Institute for Applied Tinkering, his nonprofit organization, oversees programs including Brightworks, Tinkering School, a Curious Educators Division, and an Innovation Lab, all dedicated to advancing educational methods that engage children deeply in learning through real interests and practical tools. Across his ventures, Tulley advocates for empowering children by providing them with meaningful opportunities to learn and create.
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Gever Tulley Videos
Eduforum 2024 - Gever Tulley
Gever is from San Francisco. He is a self-taught programmer who started working at the age of 16. In 2005, he founded a summer camp called Tinkering...
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Speaking fees for Gever Tulley, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Gever Tulley are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Gever Tulley, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Gever Tulley speak about?
Gever Tulley is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business Consulting, Business Leadership, Children's Authors, Creativity, Culture, Disruptive Thinking, Early Childhood Education, Education, Education Reform, Educational Motivational, Engineering, Family & Parenting, Inspirational, Leadership, Motivational, Neuroscience, Personal Growth, Science, STEM, STEM Education, Technology, TED, Thought Leadership, Workshop -
Where does Gever Tulley travel from?
Gever Tulley generally travels from Montara, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
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Gever Tulley is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Gever Tulley for your event is available upon request. Gever Tulley generally travels from Montara, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Doug Lemov, Emily Diehl, Jon Bergmann, Robyn Jackson and Gerry Brooks. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Gever Tulley for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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