curiosity
ISOLATION INNOVATION DAY A MIDDLE YEARS INITIATIVE With so much time at home due to selfisolation and social distancing, students were encouraged to look at their living spaces in another way – to research, design, and build a prototype of their own innovation to make isolation a bit more comfortable. Over the course of a day in mid-May, students in Years 7 and 8 utilised an engineering design thinking process to consider an inefficiency or need in their home. They demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving through the development of an updated version of a product, or the invention of an entirely new object or system.
Some problems identified included the need to accessorise phones and computers; concepts for new computer apps; inventing gadgets for the kitchen, garden and bathroom; tools to help wash dishes, clothes and floors; and even designing robots to support the health and wellbeing of people living in isolation. The solutions developed ranged from simple gadgets to complex machinery prototypes worthy of patenting! Thank you to the Innovate-Ed Team, Michael Alessandrini, Laura Antolín San Martin, and Rolly Dempster for their support and leadership of the girls over the course of this project. Jane d’Oliveyra Middle Years Co-ordinator and Innovate-Ed Learning Leader
‘This project taught me that I had to persevere in order to achieve my personal best and that sometimes it is very important to have a unique or individual idea that is as innovative as possible.’ – Maree A, Year 7
‘I have often considered my ideas childish when doing creative projects, but this topic made me understand that my ideas are important. I’ve learnt how to take something from my imagination and make it a reality.’ – Cassandra W, Year 7
‘Whenever a challenge arose, instead of giving up and retreating to the realm of safe and unoriginal, I battled my struggles with the mindset of an innovator, knowing that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to.’ – Elise C, Year 8
spring 2020
‘Learning and trialling the ideas of innovation has given me a bigger sense of the world and my imagination.’ – Alessandra S, Year 8
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