Lab Liftoff: Global Designathon

You’re invited to… Lab Liftoff: Global Designathon!

The Institute of Imagination will be hosting a Designathon workshop as part of Global Designathon 2017.

How can we teach our children to become the producer of new technologies? How can we show our children how to build a better world for themselves and the planet? The Designathon method was created in response to these challenges.

A Designathon workshop combines making and engaging with new technologies to reimagine the world and design a solution to a social or environmental issue. During this process children learn to think like a designer, build and prototype their ideas, and present their self-devised solutions to the group.

Developed in the Netherlands, the Designathon method combines aspects of ‘Design Thinking’ and ‘Maker Education’, both approaches that are gaining ground in education systems around the world. Designathon workshops help children become future ready by learning to design and working with technology such as mini-motors and sensors. They also explore empathy and develop an important insight into technology’s implications on society. Furthermore, the experience encourages the development of key skills championed by the Institute of Imagination such as collaboration, perseverance, problem solving and resourcefulness.

We are hosting this event as part of Global Designathon 2017, a one day annual event dedicated to celebrating what the world could be like when children design better futures using new technologies. Throughout the day we will be in virtual contact with groups from different cities around the world hosting their own designathon workshops, providing a great opportunity to share our ideas and present our designs.

What will happen at Lab Liftoff: Global Designathon?

This Lab Liftoff is part of Global Designathon 2017, a one day annual event dedicated to celebrating what the world could be like when children design better futures using new technologies. The theme of the day is ‘water’ and children will be creating solutions to a variety of water problems, like pollution or access.

Generating and visualising ideas:

Together, the children will work on a particular problem and generate ideas for a solution. They will sketch their ideas, creating a 2D visualisation of what their design might look and what it could do.

Making:

In the making process, children will be introduced to maker tool kits with lights, motors, switches, wheels and tools. They will be be be given instruction on how the parts work and then they can experiment to bring the ideas they have sketched out in the first part of the session to life. During the day the children will be connected to our parter city, Tunis in Tunisia, to discuss their ideas and give each other inspiration.

Presenting:

The final part of the day will be presenting their ideas to the group. They will presenting the problem, the idea and what they’ve created and get feedback from an expert panel, including David Pallash from Lego.

When is the Lab Liftoff: Global Designathon?

Our Global Designathon camp will take place on Saturday 11 November, 10am – 5pm

Who is the Lab Liftoff: Global Designathon for and how much does it cost?

This event costs £30 for the full day and is ideal for children aged 7 – 12. Children can be dropped off by a parent or carer at the Lab in the morning and picked up as the camp ends. Please bring a packed lunch with you as food will not be provided. We work on a 5:1 supervision basis.