Design is a process that allows students to think creatively and problem solve in all of their courses. By giving them access to a space and opportunity we are opening up a world of curiosity and possibility.... and they are enjoying it. It has been a busy year so far in the Middle School Design Lab!

Imagining they were stranded on a deserted island, the Grade 5 and Grade 6 classes completed a series of STEM challenges, which involved creative problem-solving. Currently, in a cross-curricular project, these girls are combining elements of science, media literacy, art and design to advertise and create planets.

In an effort to learn more about our new dye sublimation printer, the Grade 7 class got their creative juices flowing. Putting our core value of Compassion into practice, the girls spent some time getting to know their classmates better through a series of activities. Each student then went about creating and printing a special mug design for a classmate they had chosen at random. The result was 18 one-of-a-kind mugs for 18 unique individuals!

The Grade 8 class used their knowledge of fluids to design and test a hydraulic arm that could lift and move an empty soda can. Using a combination of cardboard, syringes, tubing and a lot of hot glue, the girls worked collaboratively to make functional and creative machines.

Stay tuned for more, as this winter the students in Middle School will be using engineering, technical and artistic skills to design full scale furniture out of cardboard, and to learn how to use the 3D printers.