STEM Design Challenge 2019
On Wednesday 4th November the Mansion House was once again the venue for another round of Doncaster Civic Trust’s Design Challenge.
This annual event is a collaboration between the Trust, Friends of Doncaster Mansion House, Council and Sheffield School of Architecture and is proving more popular as the years go by. This is the sixth year of the challenge.
Last year six primary schools entered ten teams in total. This year we had applications from 21 schools, representing 310 children. The Mansion House can only really accommodate ten teams of ten children so sadly we had to turn away quite a lot of children. (the university have offered to hold a second event at Mansion House in Summer to include those schools not selected this time.)
Why was there such demand this year? We think it was to do with two factors: the production of a promotional film of last year’s event by Mark Waterhouse (view it on the Trust’s website); and the badging of the event as a STEM initiative. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) which is a major focus of the National Curriculum.
This year’s theme was to design a shopping and cultural complex. On the day, the children were mentored by teams of Masters students from Sheffield. They produced some wonderfully thoughtful and creative designs. The day was one of intense activity and no little fun.
The students were well-prepared and a big hit with the children who responded positively to join in with the spirit of the event. A large proportion of the students were from overseas with English as a second language so it was a challenge for them. It is worth noting that this project represents an assessed module of their Masters studies so they take their engagement with the children very seriously.
At the end of the day, the judges, John Holmes, chairman of the Civic Trust and Dr Irit Katz of the university awarded prizes and certificates as follows:-
Best Overall Design – Southfield Primary School
Most Sustainable Design – Lakeside Primary School
Most Creative Design – Morley Place Primary School
Most Fun Design – Town Field Primary School
Members of the Friends and Trust were on hand to make the day run smoothly. The Mansion House team were very helpful and supportive and leadership of the event was provided by the education team from Heritage Doncaster who managed the event with good humour and a practical approach.
The event is funded and organised by the Trust.
The Trust have every intention of running this event in 2020 and look forward to delivering another valuable educational initiative at the Mansion House.
Almost time for the awards.
Morley Place Primary won the Most Creative Design Award
Sandringham Primary designed a high street.
Lakeside Primary designed a whole town centre!
The university students had a good time too.
The civic trust keep a sharp eye on proceedings.
The Mansion House Design Challenge 2019
Wednesday 4th December 2019
We are pleased to invite Doncaster primary schools to take part in our annual design challenge. The big event will be hosted by Doncaster Council’s ‘Heritage Doncaster’ education team at the wonderful Mansion House.
We will be joined again on the day by masters architecture and urban design students from around the world and studying at the University of Sheffield to mentor the children in the art of architecture for another fun and educational event.
This year’s event is all about designing a cultural and shopping centre focussing on the STEM themes of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths.
It’s educational, fun and free
The deadline for registration is 11th October.
Full details are provided on the flyer.
If schools have any questions, please contact our education co-ordinator Jeff Prior
We hope to see you in December
