Staring off the year with a casual approach to makerspace was a great way to dip our toes in the water of invention. We didn't really know what to expect and we wanted to experiment with an open mind. As the year progressed, we felt there was something missing: a purposefulness that drives innovation. We, like our students, have a desire to do something or make something that will have an impact. That little voice that kept encouraging us to go a little farther was the impetus for our playground design project.
Makerspace 2.0 - Design a Playground Prototype
With the support of our two amazing consultants, Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Thomas, our staff team came up with a design challenge for our students in Grades 4 - 6. We wanted a challenge that would be relevant to our students, that would incorporate empathy, and that would be open-ended enough to support many possibilities. With a replacement school currently being constructed right beside us, inspiration struck! What if students had to design a playground for our new school?
We gave our students the following design challenge: How can you design a piece of playground equipment that is fun, inclusive for a variety of people, and safe?
We were so excited! We gave them something meaty and purposeful - how would they do? What would they do first? We needed a process to help them along the way.
Phase 1: Planning & Research
Using the book Launch, by John Spencer and A.J. Juliani as inspiration, we developed a time-line and a process for our design project. Phase 1 was focused on developing a plan or a blueprint based upon research. Each group had access to playground equipment catalogs, Alberta playground safety guidelines and websites with interesting existing playgrounds.
Students had to show their plans to a staff member, whom we affectionately dubbed "Inspectors", and explain their concept, how it met the criteria of fun, safe and inclusive, as well as a sketch of what it would look like. They also had to indicate which materials they would require to build their prototype and where they would get them.
Phase 2: Building & Testing
Once they had the green light, students began to build their prototypes. After a few periods of building, one of our consultants had the brilliant idea of inviting in real life playground designers and builders from Canadian Recreation Solutions to meet with our students to give them feedback on their designs.
Students pitched their designs to our playground designer guests and then used their feedback to make improvements to their designs.
Phase 3: Presenting at Maker Faire
We are now beginning Phase 3 of our design challenge. During this final phase, students who want to present, have prepared short presentations to explain their designs and how they evolved. Students who are not presenting, will vote for the top 10 designs to be showcased at our event. We cannot wait to see what they will display!
