Statistics in Action

Students in Rith Carver's Statistics in Action course are partnering with Mural Arts to help the organization collect and understand data about community impact of their art installations.  Earlier this year, students visited the organization and heard from key players including Director of their Porch Light program and GA alum, Laure Biron.

4th Grade Student Engineers design Toys for African Monkey Sanctuary

4^th graders were visited by Animal Defenders International (ADI) Education Director, Gigi Glendinning.  Gigi shared stories about several monkeys ADI rescued from harmful situations, and brought to Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary, in the UK. Practicing empathy, the students spent time thinking about the experiences and the needs of these primates; specifically, their need to be mentally stimulated.  They used the DESIGN THINKING PROCESS to create toys that will fascinate and challenge the monkeys.  The students worked collaboratively to brainstorm (or IDEATE) their sketches on paper.  The next step was to build a sculptural sketch, (or PROTOTYPE).  The prototype needed to go through multiple adjustments (or ITERATIONS), before it was ready. The students used tools such as drills, saws, hot glue guns, and clamps.  Some of the materials included rope, wood, cardboard, felt and tubing.  Every prototype was put to the TEST as students pulled, banged, dropped and played with their designs….just as if they were monkeys themselves! The children wrote letters, descriptions and project titles to go along with each toy.  They also recorded video interviews describing their work.  We plan to send all of the prototypes overseas to Lakeview this spring and look forward to seeing pictures or videos of the monkeys enjoying them!

The Lower School Journal Engineering Project

Each year, 5th grade students create their own journals to take to outdoor school. This year, the 5th grade team used the resources in the BCI to engineer them.  Using a design brief to scaffold the design thinking process, students planned and designed original journals.  Some students chose to use the laser cutter to imprint designs on the front.  

All School Design Day: PLAY!

Earlier this year the GA community came together for a unique Design Thinking project on PLAY!. Combining our divisional work in design thinking with maker culture at the school, this year's All School Design Day was inspired by Caine's Arcade and Imagination Foundation's Cardboard Challenge. Students and faculty worked in blended design teams made up of students and faculty from each of the three divisions.  Their objective? Identify the aspects of great play and manifest that in an original game.