YOUNG MINDS SHINE AS INNOVATORS OF THE FUTURE COMPETE AT BRIGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The iDesign competition, which encourages innovation among students by asking them to develop and present projects using “boy-friendly” learning techniques, was conceived and founded in 2011 by Jamie Watson, who teaches CDT and Extension Studies at the school.

iDesign is open to students in Year 8, who work throughout the semester on an individual project of their choice under the guidance of a mentor. Each boy learns new design and problem-solving skills while undertaking a challenging project in an area he feels is relevant to his interests and passions.

“If you can create meaningful learning opportunities that tap into the natural learning preferences of boys, most of them will absorb themselves in the project and produce work of a much higher standard,” Mr Watson said.  “Innovation, problem-solving abilities and entrepreneurship are highly sought-after qualities and iDesign helps our students to develop these skills in a valuable, meaningful way, while also improving skills such as concentration, persistence and collaboration.” 

iDesign projects fall under one of three categories: sustainability, innovation or creativity. This year, 150 students have participated in the program, which requires them to design a project, plan and organise production and evaluate the final product in a real-life context.

“For example, the context might relate to what we grow, eat, wear, build, make, our health and safety, or how we travel and spend our leisure time,” Mr Watson said.  “The initiative draws on many elements we know work well for boys – they can choose to work on a project that interests them, they get to work with an adult mentor, this is a hands-on style of learning, they get to work with tools, they can be innovative and take risks, and it also is competitive, so they are working hard to be a finalist or to win one of the many awards.”

Five judges assess each project across a range of criteria, including innovation, sustainability and creativity, the challenge provided, and knowledge, enthusiasm and understanding displayed by the student in presenting his project.

Among the judges is Christopher Ride, the managing director of IT company Interactive Pty Ltd, which sponsors the awards.

“We are delighted to be involved in a school initiative that encourages and rewards innovation, sustainability and creativity,” Mr Ride said. “The diversity and quality of the projects is extraordinary and it is great to see Brighton Grammar School recognising the importance of building these skills in young people.”

Previous winners include Harry Barden, who transformed an old caravan into a stylish new food servery for use at fundraising events; Harrison Preston, who build a to-scale Lego replica of Brighton Grammar School’s Middle School building; and Tom Bartels, who restored the track bike on which his grandfather won a medal at the 1962 Perth Commonwealth Games.

Other creative entries have included a hovercraft made from a leaf blower, a handmade guitar, a recipe book created using traditional family recipes, and a wicker garden system for drought-prone areas.

“The iDesign Awards are one of the ways we encourage our students to become passionate about learning,” Brighton Grammar School headmaster Ross Featherston said.  “When boys are passionate about what they are doing, they work at a higher level and this helps to increase their confidence and capabilities in all facets of their learning. I look forward to seeing what they have created this year.”

The Year 8 iDesign projects for 2016 will be on display in the foyer of Brighton Grammar School, from Tuesday October 4 for viewing by the students, mentors and their families.   The iDesign Awards will be presented on Thursday October 6. For further information, call (03) 8591 2200 or visit www.brightongrammar.vic.edu.au