Adventures in Design
*This course is intended for lower elementary students
Class Schedule
9:00-9:50 am PST
October 2, October 9, October 16, October 23, October 30, November 6, November 13, November 20
Note: Classes are listed in PST, click below to convert time to your time zone.
Course Overview
All animals, including humans have a way that they play. What is your favorite way to play? Do you like to go on a walk outside, play at a local park or perhaps you like to create magical imaginative worlds in your home? We all have different and probably some similar ways that we like to have fun. In this class, we will be looking at how children globally like to play and what local governments may have provided in order to help you have fun! From playgrounds, to parks, to rivers and forests that you can explore, some person has been behind them all.
In this class, we will use design thinking to investigate play outside of our homes and design play opportunities for our community. Throughout this journey, students may be challenged to think about ways to make their play design more accessible so that all children can join in. There will be ample opportunities for extension as students will have an opportunity to work on explorations of perimeter and area through blueprint design. Be ready to innovate in this class!
Student Outcomes:
- Increased understanding of basic concepts in architecture and design, such as perimeter and area, through blueprint design activities.
- Reflect on ways that students can advocate for inclusive and engaging play opportunities in their communities.
- Foster a lifelong appreciation for play and enhanced appreciation for diversity of play preferences among individuals and cultures.
- Practice applying design and prototype concepts through multiple iterations in a project.
Student Experience
Changemaker
Design Thinker
Environmental Citizen
Inventor
Your Teacher: Sarah Merkt
Sarah Merkt has worked as a teacher and curriculum designer for over 12 years in gifted schools in both Asia and America. She holds her certification in Middle Childhood Education from Xavier University. Most recently, she worked for 4 years at The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA. She is a passionate advocate for gifted students and their parents and strives to infuse best practices into her curriculum in the classroom. She currently serves as Program Manager and Learning Consultant at Cresconova.
