Keystone Magazine Learning the Keystone Way 2015-2016 EN | Page 30

Learning is Fun
Bringing
out of the
Woodwork:
Grade 7 Learns Product Design
3
M + 3P = D. This is not an easy formula
to crack because this is not Math! D is
for Design – one of eight essential sub-
jects of IB MYP – taught as digital and
product design. It is both an art and a
science. Middle school design teacher,
Richard Watts explains the science behind the art
of design: “Students acquire modeling skills, gain
familiarity with materials, and master techniques
such as measuring and marking. Design is quite
an involved subject for any student because a spe-
cific process has to be followed, requiring detailed
planning, and precisioned execution.”
And walking into Keystone’s state-of-the-art wood-
work room, you see these skills, techniques and
precision in action. When we took a peek, students
from grade 7 were completing their Product De-
sign project on wooden bookends. Having been
through a few lessons at the beginning of the unit,
students then researched their individual designs,
and planned its execution. Some of the modeling
is undertaken digitally too. “I think design is quite a
special subject because we can be creative using
a combination of technology and a hands-on ap-
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