The Maker Movement at ISD
Walking into the ISD Design Technology Center can be a powerful experience. The space is enriched with a sense of creativity, function, and useful purpose.
The Design Center is a learning environment rich with possibilities and serves as a Makerspaces gathering point where students embark on new experiences and collaborate on meaningful projects informed by the Design teachers and utilize growing expertise using new technology and tools. A collection of tools does not define a Design Center but rather, we define it by what it enables: making.
ISD Grade 6s have completed their product Design-Soft resistant materials “ Turning Point” with emphasis on the community concept by creating an infographic to address pollution within their communities.
Grade 7s modeled their solutions in 3d-CAD sketchup to address their community pet problems and pose a solution.
The 3D-CAD models then transferred their ideas using analog resources of corrugated cardboard, knives, glue, and rubber mats so that the can represent and communicate their ideas with an emphasis on form, function and purpose.
Grade 8 Design student exhibition stands showcased the evolution of technology by developing analog sketches, 3d-CAD models, and 3d models of corrugated cupboards;
The grade 9s students developed geodesic structure prototypes to address an environmental concepts using Interdisciplinary skills that includes using knowledge from other subject areas such as science, geometry, and humanities.
Grade 10 students developed a 2d-storyboard for game development to address Universal education needs by adding intuitive elements;
In Design classes at ISD we are embedding a culture of the Maker Mindset grounded in the MYP Design cycle along with elements of Art and Design Principles. This mindset is fostered in our primary design program so that skills can be transferred horizontally and vertically. Many experts cite this free form of Maker movement as a great way to get our students into engineering and design. As Design Technology Educators we believe that “education is not hung up on the final product” (Popcock, 2016). The sort of teaching and learning that occurs in our Design classroom encourages tinker, play, analyzing and learning from mistakes through an evaluation and feedback process. Our students are learning CAD skills that will lead to 3d Printing and other advanced skills that are considered 21st-century skills.
The Pandemic has impacted the making in our department which requires the use of innovative tools and supplies in new ways and uncommon ones to build new and surprising products.
Our Design Department has come to recognize that creating products, systems, and services in the Design Technology Department with a Maker Mindset requires like-minded people to help our students at ISD make more things. Our Collaborative Design Teachers’ creativity and innovation whilst melding diverse disciplines- math, science, engineering, and green designs demonstrate how much the team honors and values the use of the Design Center at ISD.
