Project impact
The implementation of the Design Futures curriculum across 20 schools in Europe resulted in the creation of hundreds of creative concepts that were discussed in class as well as showcased to parents and other teachers.
The project gave children the opportunity to develop new hard skills and to strengthen their soft skills as well. Also, it allowed teachers to expand their toolbox and gain more confidence with project-based activities.
Let’s hear from teachers
Prioritizing process over output and a 360° view of a topic.
I’ve also learned a lot. Insight into the steps, the process. You are normally very quickly inclined to go towards the product, but now we take steps back to actually think about the product.
They learned that each one of them has something to give and they need to pay attention to what others say even if they are not the best (has the best grades) in the classroom. I noticed that student who do not have the best grades were really happy in this project because they could show what in this instance, they were better at something than others, this gave them more confidence.
Technology, art, informatics aren’t standalone entities, but they are tools to accomplish other things. I can teach Italian through the Design Futures project, filling in a questionnaire is Italian, interpreting a chart is maths.
Fostering inclusivity and training different types of intelligence.
Students share their thoughts
Enhancing creative confidence and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
At first I couldn’t make what was in my head. Now I can!
I’ve learned how I should work, and I feel confident about myself.
Learning the art of collaboration.
I now notice that the collaboration with the 2 students I was in the group with goes much better now. Because you communicate more and that you have learned what each other’s better and lesser points are, and you can work on that together and make it better.
I liked working in teams the most, because each of us had different ideas, some good and some bad. We were able to combine more ideas in one.
Project gallery
Geoschool
This concept utilizes geothermal energy to heat schools by using clean energy. The walls are made of recycled conductive materials. Moreover, each classroom is equipped with a fan that helps to convey hot air, thus amplifying the heat.
Fitnergy
The idea is to use cross trainers in a gym that can convert kinetic energy into electric energy. This energy is then used to provide an office building next to this gym with power. Part of it can also be stored in an accu in case of an electricity shortage.
Smart shower
The shower switches off automatically if you are in the shower for more than 5 minutes. Also, a person can shower only once every 24 hours. This conserves water and also the energy required to heat the water.
Excessive use of energy no more
The project aims to place an antenna in each city so that when there is an excessive usage of energy the machine built by students will make a buzzing sound. The command control panel shows a map of Romania with green and red spots. Red spots indicate an excessive usage of energy, and green normal usage.
Smart plant watering
Life on planet project focuses on limiting water waste in households while watering the plants. It is comprised of a quantity regulator which controls the amount of water used while watering the plants and a humidity sensor which alerts people when the plant does not need to be watered.
Stars
This hostel provides inexpensive accommodation to poor people. Appliances run on solar energy through solar panels installed on the roof. Led lights contribute to the 24-hour operation of the place and a fan offers comfort to the guests. Last, the garden under the stars is an oasis in their lives!
