Minnewashta Design Team
In the fall 2016, 12-4th grade students at Minnewashta Elementary School competed in Association for Learning Environments SchoolsNEXT Design Competition, which is aimed at helping students "develop solutions to global design challenges that inspire transformation in education."
Art teacher Christin Congdon facilitated weekly classes in an afternoon Design Club, which met September of 2016-January 2017. Students worked on redesigning the Minnewashta Outdoor Classroom.
Students researched, created, collaborated and personalized their learning, with the strong leadership of Christin and support of ATS&R Architect and mentor, Eric Anderson. On April 6th, 2017 students presented via SKYPE to the A4LE Midwest Regional Chapter Board on their project and made it to the regional competition round this fall.
Above is a snapshot of last Spring.
Below are a few snap shot of today---where students presented in the final round to a panel of jurors! If selected, they will compete at the National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia in late October 2017! Good luck team, we are proud of you :)
This competition has not only provided a group of 4th graders, (now 5th graders) with the tools to be creative problem solvers and opportunity to have their voices heard, but it has also positioned Minnetonka Schools as a Nationally Recognized School District for Design and how we engage all stakeholders, staff, students, and the community in our process.
