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The Macquarie College Design Lab, MCX, is an aspirational maker space designed to support a culture of learner-led, hands-on projects of personal, local or global relevance. The projects reflect the interests, curiosity and creativity of each learner and develop the soft transferable skills of communication, critical thinking, collaboration and making a difference in the world. Intentionally embedding soft skills fosters student learning, developed in the Primary School, for success in High School on the HSC/ATAR and beyond.
The Macquarie College Design Lab, MCX, is an aspirational maker space designed to support a culture of learner-led, hands-on projects of personal, local or global relevance. The projects reflect the interests, curiosity and creativity of each learner and develop the soft transferable skills of communication, critical thinking, collaboration and making a difference in the world. Intentionally embedding soft skills fosters student learning, developed in the Primary School, for success in High School on the HSC/ATAR and beyond.
The MCXW class is discussing Simon Norman artwork Barramundi. Group discussions are formative times used to clarify student understanding and to discover new thinking.
The MCXW class is discussing Simon Norman artwork Barramundi. Group discussions are formative times used to clarify student understanding and to discover new thinking.
Using an iterative process of communicating, prototyping and reflecting, students are learning Design Thinking to ‘make stuff’. Yet the making is developing transferable skills to everyday life. During an upcycling task, students used recycled materials to make gifts for a special person in their life.
Using an iterative process of communicating, prototyping and reflecting, students are learning Design Thinking to ‘make stuff’. Yet the making is developing transferable skills to everyday life. During an upcycling task, students used recycled materials to make gifts for a special person in their life.
Above a student planned to make a hanging wind chime. She researched a design before making her first prototype, shell chimes. Second, she experimented with wood and balance. Finally, she made a robust sun catcher.
Above a student planned to make a hanging wind chime. She researched a design before making her first prototype, shell chimes. Second, she experimented with wood and balance. Finally, she made a robust sun catcher.
The MCX space is open to all students from Years 4-6, with Year 3 projected to join in using the space during the 2021 school year. Volunteers from the community are encouraged to share their love for creative endeavours with our students. Currently, the lab is open before school, at recess and again at lunch, with VEX Robotics taking place after school on Mondays. With volunteers being able to return Term 2, 2021, we plan to launch tinkering classes such as sewing, woodcraft and painting, to name a few. Class times to be determined.
The MCX space is open to all students from Years 4-6, with Year 3 projected to join in using the space during the 2021 school year. Volunteers from the community are encouraged to share their love for creative endeavours with our students. Currently, the lab is open before school, at recess and again at lunch, with VEX Robotics taking place after school on Mondays. With volunteers being able to return Term 2, 2021, we plan to launch tinkering classes such as sewing, woodcraft and painting, to name a few. Class times to be determined.
Organic learning opportunities take place daily in the lab. These boys started a cricket bat making frenzy during Term 1, 2021.
Organic learning opportunities take place daily in the lab. These boys started a cricket bat making frenzy during Term 1, 2021.
The proof is in the pudding, as they say! One of the MCX design lab’s fantastic benefits is that our students recognise the space to be valuable. On any given day, students queue in anticipation of being allowed to ‘do stuff’. During the 2020 school year, the students took on the challenges such as build their own chair and designing an electrically powered game.
The proof is in the pudding, as they say! One of the MCX design lab’s fantastic benefits is that our students recognise the space to be valuable. On any given day, students queue in anticipation of being allowed to ‘do stuff’. During the 2020 school year, the students took on the challenges such as build their own chair and designing an electrically powered game.
Everything in the space is for student use with the simple expectations that ‘this is our space, and I will respect it’. Students are required to not hurt themself or anyone else. Following these directives, students are taught to work safely, ask for help, and think before they act. The magic is evident in the creative community developing between the students.
Everything in the space is for student use with the simple expectations that ‘this is our space, and I will respect it’. Students are required to not hurt themself or anyone else. Following these directives, students are taught to work safely, ask for help, and think before they act. The magic is evident in the creative community developing between the students.
Updated: 15 April 2021 MCX Lab 2021 Table of Contents http://bit.ly/2ZgYeQ5
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