Last Wednesday, six students from Grade 7/8 traveled to the MaRS Discovery Centre in Toronto for a workshop in Design Thinking and Process. Two teams of three students and one teacher competed in designing an app or website to answer this challenge: How might we better support new Canadians in their transition to life in a new country?
LanLan Wang, Nan Khamsy, Ryan Li, and Miss Smith designed an app which uses your GPS location to link new Canadians with other new Canadians of similar cultural background to create a support community. Zack Conn, Abbey Girdner, Connor Gan, and Mr. Smart designed an app where new Canadians can take a diagnostic test, similar to the PLP at Rosseau Lake College, which establishes their strengths and skills and links them to participating employers and businesses for employment opportunities.
This was a fantastic opportunity for both the students and teachers to learn more about the Design Process and gained valuable insight which will be used to help support teachers and students next year in our new Discovery Days schedule! Thanks to Mr. Shaun Beaulne for fighting through Toronto traffic to get us there on time!