Our year 9 learners have a problem: Town, cities and urban spaces in UK are facing challenging climate changes. They are becoming too hot for people to live in the summer. Alongside the support of our sponsor University of East London, we have set them a design brief to propose a solution on “How best to create a living/green urban space in this challenging climate.”
Learners were tasked with creating a green city, using the research they conducted on sustainability and green spaces to design a 3D model and PowerPoint presentation that they presented their to leading architect Clare Penny from University of East London.
This ELP is a part of our projects carousel in year 9 that introduces new learners to our valued employer sponsors and offers a chance for our learners to develop soft skills such as teamwork, leadership and critical thinking. These projects also tackle real-world issues, such as climate change and sustainability, that will only become prevalent when our year 9 learners eventually step into industry. Through these projects, we empower our learners to work towards thinking and modelling solutions and shape the future industry trailblazers with the help of our sponsors.
To prepare for this project learners worked in groups and conducted research into green spaces in urban areas. Reflecting on this preparation, teacher Danielle shares, “I wanted to keep our learners centred and try to work out achievable sustainability solutions. We encouraged to make solutions as cost effective, as user friendly as possible and be grounded in research of real-life sustainability solutions.”
Before our learners start with their modelmaking, we visited the sustainability dock on UEL campus for a masterclass from Clare, who worked previously as a landscape architect before becoming a lecturer at the university. Clare offered our learners expert guidance and inspiration. She discussed the interplay between landscape architecture and architecture, as well as exploring different sustainable solutions.
Clare explored various case studies that employed sustainable practises such as reducing carbon emissions, absorbing carbon, using sustainable materials, reusing and recycling, and considering biodiversity and community.
Our employer partner also offered learners tips on their designs, whilst encouraging to be brave and innovative. Following this talk, learners were so inspired that Clare spent the next twenty minutes after the masterclass answering a range of questions from our curious young architects.
Equipped with invaluable inspiration, case studies and a deepened understanding of sustainability, our learners got to work. They were given two weeks to complete their projects before returning to the sustainability dock on UEL campus to present their results to Clare.
As learners stood at the front of the seminar room, the tables were turned. This time Clare was not teacher but stakeholder listening to our learners’ presentation and offering feedback for each proposal for green urban spaces. Learners came up with a range of imaginative ideas that were also grounded in the real case studies they research. Through this project, learners took the opportunity to develop their own unique solutions and present them to a leading professional. Year 9 learner Artemis shared that “I wanted to convey all the things I learnt throughout this project in my presentation and apply to my green city. I wanted my green city to be a place where it's easy for everyone to walk through, it’s safe and it’s better for the environment.”
Thanks to Clare for her commitment and enthusiastic engagement with our learners throughout this project. Her passion for teaching and architecture truly inspired our learners. Reflecrting on the presentation and project, she shares “LDEUTC students demonstrated excellent research skills and confidence in presenting beyond their years. Their ideas were based upon solid research and were incredibly creative. The students understood principles around sustainability in relation to topics such as energy generation, the need to reduce carbon emissions, and the benefits of building green spaces. The students combined skills in research, document production and practical model-making to convey their ideas. It was a fun and informative day learning from the students!”