We strive to nurture curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning at GSB. This year, our after-school Woodworking and Design class, taught by Herr Sorrentino in German, has become a popular choice among students, providing an opportunity to explore craftsmanship while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As we look ahead to next year, this class is laying the foundation for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Design course—a new key offering of our middle school curriculum.
The Joy of Hands-On Learning
Woodworking offers students the chance to engage in meaningful, tactile work. For their first project, our students created wooden calendar boxes, combining practicality with artistry. Using hand saws to carefully cut pieces to size and woodburning tools to decorate and personalize their creations, they learned valuable technical skills while expressing their creativity.
This project introduced essential principles of design, such as planning, precision, and iterative improvement, in a fun and supportive environment.
A Bridge to the IB/MYP Design Course
The skills developed in the after-school Woodworking and Design class are more than just practical—they align closely with the objectives of the IB/MYP Design course, which will be offered to middle school students as a central offering next year.
GSB is pursuing the IB Middle Year Program accreditation for our Middle School. The MYP is a highly regarded program that empowers students to develop critical thinking, global awareness, and independent learning skills, and in the Design course,.students will tackle challenges that require them to research, ideate, prototype, and evaluate solutions—a process that mirrors the hands-on, problem-solving nature of woodworking. By working with real tools and materials, students build a strong foundation in:
- Design Thinking: Understanding how to planand execute projects from start to finish.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Addressing challenges with innovative solutions.
- Collaboration: Sharing ideas and working together in a studio-style environment.
- Technical Skills: Gaining confidence in using materials effectively.
Looking Ahead
As the Woodworking and Design class progresses, students will take on increasingly complex projects. By fostering a love for making and creating, we’re preparing our middle schoolers not only for success in the classroom but also for real-world challenges where design thinking plays a critical role. We’re excited to see how this year’s budding designers will grow as they transition into the MYP Design course and beyond!
