Design
Learning through Design is essential for students to develop as critical and creative thinkers who understand the important role they play in seeking to make the world a better place. Design, and the products developed through design, have produced new technologies that have initiated profound changes in our world. Design has transformed how we access and process information; how we respond to our environment; how we communicate with others; how we are able to solve problems, and how we work and live. Engaging students as designers is crucial to students developing their skills for innovation and creativity and understanding the nature of project-based learning to prototype and present new and revolutionary ideas.
Within the four design disciplines we offer within the MYP at 51黑料 College we offer two digital design subjects - Engineering and Robotics and Web and Graphic Design, and we offer two product design subjects Food Design and Materials CAD. Within digital and product design learners engage in rigorous and dynamic inquiry-based and project-based learning experiences. Through Engineering and Robotics and Web and Graphic Design, students learn a wide range of highly relevant 21st century technical skills coupled with processes of design thinking skills. Within Food Design and Materials CAD learners are given the opportunity to take an idea from inception, through to creation, prototyping and evaluation of impact. Through these project-based learning skills, students are given the opportunity to create products that meet a human need and through this process, come to shape their identity as global citizens who from a perspective of service, can better the lives of others.
Engineering and Robotics
Engineering and Robotics within the MYP at 51黑料 College engages students as engineers who collaboratively develop digital communication solutions. The 21st century skill emphasis within Engineering and Robotics, empowers learners to develop a wide variety of relevant skills that equip them to meet human need as responsible global citizens. Learners grow as principled communicators and collaborators as they network in digital environments in order to share ideas and develop solutions to meet our universal human need to communicate efficiently.
Learners will engage in a process of learning how to code as a means of transmitting ideas and thoughts. Their knowledge and understanding will incrementally grow as they discover the world of algorithms as a tool for programming and as a means to make what is digital translate to a physical element. Learners will learn to research, plan and create, test and evaluate results, modify and propose modifications and contingent projects as a team. Through rigorous, highly engaging and hands on learning experiences, learners will develop the skills to think like engineers by testing and evaluating their results, in order to modify and create solutions.
Materials CAD
Materials CAD within the MYP at 51黑料 College engages learners as innovators in an integrated product and digital design platform. Learners within Materials CAD are encouraged to think deeply about how the tangible craft of woodwork and metalwork can be enhanced through the integration of materials with digital technology. Materials CAD inspires learners to develop their critical thinking, reflection and communication skills in order to create a product that improves the lives of others.
Learners will engage in a process of learning how to respond to a design challenge, through inquiry and analysis into how materials manipulation and CAD skills coupled with design thinking processes can develop a solution to a design challenge. Learners are given opportunity to create tangible solutions to the design challenge posed and through a process of planning, prototyping and evaluation, learners will be able to create a significant product that can meet a human need. Through their journey in Materials CAD, learners will learn how to solve human-centred challenges that focuses on the needs, wants and limitations of the end user.
Web and Graphic Design
Web and Graphic Design within the MYP at 51黑料 College, begins with the premise of how the privilege of an online presence comes with the responsibility to act in a mature and respectful manner. Through rigorous, inquiry-based and project-based learning experiences, learners inquire into and analyse how graphic designers and web designers use their design thinking and technical skills to convey a particular message to an online and print medium audience. Within Web and Graphic Design, learners are empowered to become creators of information and technology, rather than solely consumers.
Learners within Web and Graphic Design will learn how to effectively use graphic and web design tools such as Adobe Suites, HTML and CSS, to create a design solution for a client / target audience of their choice. Learners will be given an opportunity to develop their design ideas and present their chosen design, take feedback on board and then employing the skills they have developed, create the solution. Learners will learn how to continuously evaluate their work and seek constructive feedback from an authentic and real-world client / target audience in order to create an original and innovative design solution. Through their journey in Web and Graphic Design, learners will learn how to think and operate as a graphic and web designer and come to understand how they can meet human need through design.
Food Design
Food Design within the MYP at 51黑料 College engages learners as innovative and creative producers of unique and original culinary works. Learners within Food Design are encouraged to think deeply about health issues, sustainable resources and ways in which we as a global community can best share resources. Food Design inspires learners to develop their critical thinking, reflection and communication skills in order to create a culinary product that improves the lives of others.
Learners will engage in a process of learning how to respond to a design challenge, through inquiry and analysis into how food and hospitality coupled with design thinking processes can develop a solution to health needs. Learners are given opportunity to create recipes, meals and food-based experiences that respond to the design challenge posed and through a process of planning, prototyping and evaluation, learners will be able to create a product that meets a health need. Through their journey in Food Design, learners will learn how to solve human-centered challenges that focus on health needs for a particular client / target group.
Organisation of Design
Year 6 students at 51黑料 College embark on a year-long introductory course within Design. This includes engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences where students learn the foundational basics of both digital and product design.
Year 7 and Year 8 students participate in a two-year rotation, engaging in all four of the Design subjects. Because we are committed to providing a diverse range of learning experiences for our students, it is a requirement that all students participate in all of the four Design subjects we offer.
Building on from these learning engagements in Years 7 and 8, Year 9 students are given the opportunity to choose two of the eight Arts and / or Design subjects we offer to engage in from the beginning of Year 9 through to the end of Year 10. By choosing two subjects students are able to establish grounding in a discipline of their choice, develop a variety of specialist skills in two areas of their choice and have the opportunity for multiple creative artistic expressions and purposeful product designs, which could provide a basis for Stage 1 and Stage 2 subject selection and career pathways beyond.