Faculty of Education launches event in UBC’s Innovative Learning Centre

What:   Maker Day 2013
When:  Saturday, November 2, 2013 (all day)     
Where: Innovative Learning Centre (ILC) in the Engineering, Management and Education Building at UBC’s Okanagan Campus, 1137 Alumni Ave., Kelowna, BC
Who:    Maker Day 2013 is an invitation-only event for educators. Media is invited to cover the event.

The Faculty of Education‘s Innovative Learning Centre (ILC) and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) are collaborating to host Maker Day 2013 on Saturday, November 2 at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

The first of its kind in the Okanagan, Maker Day is part of the contemporary “Maker Movement” that encourages invention and prototyping – shifting learning focus to innovation and exploration. This grassroots movement features experimentation and innovation across engineering, science, art, performance, craft, and education.

Maker Day 2013 invites students and teachers to put their design-thinking and problem-finding skills to good use, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the ILC in the Engineering, Management and Education Building, 1137 Alumni Way, UBC’s Okanagan campus, Kelowna.

“The Maker Movement is a natural fit for education,” says Susan Crichton, director of the ILC and an associate professor in the Faculty of Education. “It helps educators introduce trades and technology, and the professions inherit in them, to students as young as five.”

Okanagan teachers and students have been invited to the all-day “make” session. More than 70 will join ITA and the ILC to solve and build design challenges.

Participants will have the opportunity to join the increasing momentum of the do-it-yourself movement, which stresses new and unique application of technologies and more traditional activities such as metalworking, wood working, and traditional arts and crafts. They will also be introduced to design thinking, inquiry, and experiential learning by doing.

“As part of our youth initiatives to get more young people interested in careers in the trades, we are excited to be a part of the Maker Movement and additional hands-on learning for Grades K-12 students,” said Gary Herman, Interim CEO, Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Participants of Maker Day 2013 will have the opportunity to see their ideas in action at school-district-led trades Maker Days supported by the ITA.

Maker Day 2013 itinerary:
8:30 a.m. — Registration
9 a.m.  — Welcome - Dean of the Faculty of Education, Ministry of Education and ITA Representative
9:30 a.m.  — Introduction to Design Thinking – Shane Austin
9:45 a.m.  — Design Thinking, Maker Movement, and Education – Susan Crichton
10 a.m. — Project Work (includes working lunch)
3 p.m. — Preparation of Group Presentation
3:30 p.m.  — Closing Comments and Introduction to Gallery Tour Process
3:45 p.m.  — Gallery Tour and Wine and Cheese
4:15 p.m.  — Feedback and Closing Remarks

For more information about the ILC

News from © iNFOnews, 2013