In addition to teaching two core
writing classes to Breakthrough 7th graders, Clare Dreyfus, a rising
senior at Vanderbilt University, also taught a Design Thinking elective in
which students conceptualize, build, and refine projects using the tools and
technology made available by our host Hillbrook School.
When I walked in to explore Clare’s
class, students were diligently working on different models, inspecting every
detail in their design and planning materials to use for their final project. One student was using a metal
file to sand the edges of her model house. Another student was using graphic
design software to add decorations to his hand-made slingshot.
As I walked around, one student,
Antonio, was very eager to show me every part of the iLab. He explained to me
how the 3D printer worked, led me to the laser cutter to watch how one of his
classmates was preparing flame designs to decorate his slingshot with, and
later led me to the back closet.
“This is where the knowledge
starts!” said Antonio, spreading his arms open across all the materials in the
closet. The way he presented each wooden stick, pipe cleaner, and cardboard
piece to me made it seem like each item was the greatest building material
known to the world.
He showed me the different
materials he himself had used to create his archery bow and then led me to his
personal cubicle on the wall where he stored all the materials he was using for
class. From a small plastic box, he pulled out a sequence of three objects: a
curved wooden stick, then a curved piece of cardboard, and finally, the laser
cut wooden bow he was working on. He explained to me that the first two items
were prototypes of his final project. His inspiration for the bow, he
explained, actually came from the curved wooden stick he had found somewhere
outside."Ms. Flores said we steal nature's forms to make our own designs. You can't find replicas of a shape in nature so that's when we make our own designs."
"You cannot find the same shape in nature again," further explained Clare. "In order to share the same design with others and continue replicating it, like the curved wooden stick Antonio found, you must create your own".
He then went on to explain how he
had used the laser cutter to create four identical pieces that he glued
together to make his final design for the bow.
I was impressed that after only
four weeks, Antonio knew his way around the iLab extremely well and owned his
project from the very conception of the idea for the bow. Clare says the most
important thing she has taught in her class is that students create everything
on their own. Often students wanted to use instructions online or purchase
ready-made parts. She challenged them to use their creativity to lead the
entire process of creating and building themselves. She also wanted her
class to be a change of pace from the students’ other courses.
"Everyone! Let’s evaluate
Anthony's slingshot!" called out Clare.
As students crowded around
Anthony’s project, they gave constructive feedback on how to improve his model
and prototypes for the final project. They took the learning and
evaluation into their own hands.
Clare’s Design Thinking class is
about self-direction and discovery. She herself had to learn how to use the
equipment at the beginning of the summer and, as such, was learning along with
her students how to build and create in the iLab. At first, she led them
through smaller projects such as creating nametags on the laser cutter, and
making diamonds with the 3D printer. Now her students completely own the
process and only turn to Clare for a little guidance or supportive feedback.
It’s fitting that a Design Thinking
class is taught at Breakthrough Silicon Valley, where our students live
surrounded by leading technology companies. Students’ creativity, innovation, and hard work were
extremely charming qualities to find in the 7th and 8th
graders working in the iLab this summer. But perhaps the most charming
moment of my visit was when I told Antonio I was going to write this blog entry
about his class that would feature his explanations of the projects.
In a manner most fitting of the awe
and creativity in this 7th grade boy, he raised his arms in the air
and exclaimed victoriously, “I’m going to be on the internet!”