Introduction
The Knowledge Building Design Studio, held from June 19th to 21st, 2024 has concluded. The event brought together 27 students and teachers from three distinguished secondary schools: Broadrick Secondary, Chua Chu Kang Secondary, and Damai Secondary. This collaborative event aimed to inspire and educate participants through a series of thoughtfully planned activities, emphasizing the integration of nature and sustainability into practical solutions for real world problems.
Day 1 - Yunnan Gardens
On the first day, participants embarked on a walkaround in the Yunnan Gardens. This immersive experience allowed students to witness firsthand how the theme of 'City in Nature' has influenced the garden's design and layout. With the help of specially curated sensory activities and ‘Carelyn’, an AI chatbot, the students were able to identify the different features that makes Yunnan Gardens unique. The serene and meticulously curated environment served as a perfect backdrop to prime students for the task ahead—planning sustainable and nature-inspired solutions.
Day 2 - Brainstorming
The second day was dedicated to brainstorming. Students were divided into diverse groups, fostering an environment of collaborative learning and idea exchange. This phase was crucial as it allowed participants to build on each other's knowledge and insights, promoting a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. Additionally, further research was conducted, enabling students to refine their ideas and develop more robust solutions.
A highlight of the day was a sharing session by Dr. Jack Fogarty on neurofeedback and regulation. Dr. Fogarty's engaging presentation introduced students to the concepts of neurofeedback, a method of training the brain to regulate itself more effectively, and self-regulation techniques. Students had the opportunity to participate in an interactive game that applied these concepts, providing them with a hands-on understanding of how neurofeedback can enhance focus and cognitive control.
Day 3 - Showcase
On the final day, the focus shifted to the completion of artefacts and solutions. Each group worked diligently to bring their ideas to fruition, creating tangible representations of their innovative concepts. The culmination of the event was marked by a vibrant sharing session, where students presented their completed projects to their peers from Hong Kong’s St. Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary & Primary School. The students from Hong Kong also took turns to share their sustainability solutions and ideas. This exchange provided a platform for cross-cultural learning and showcased the diverse perspectives and creative approaches developed during the studio. We were also privileged to have Professor Carol Chan to join us on Zoom to observe the presentations and to interact with the different groups of students.
The Knowledge Building Design Studio was a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of students’ ideas. The event allowed the time and space for students to explore their interests and in turn gain valuable skills and knowledge about sustainability issues. The three days also fostered a sense of global community and shared purpose. This sets the stage for a platform to share at our next event, Kids’ Conference Asia 2024.
