Prototypes and Designs

Students have been bringing a range of prototypes of the products they will be making and selling at the Action Fair. This process has also involved critical reflection because some products have been very expensive to make.

Jewellery and accessories made from used clothes

                             Storage pots made from recycled bottles

Products and Prices

After getting a good understanding of supply and demand and some critical reflection during their T-shirt design project, students have been thinking VERY CAREFULLY about the design of their products and services or the appropriate pricing. 

Process of Production - Reflections

Students have been reflecting on the process of production. Using the process we learned about in the Story of Stuff, they have been thinking about the ways their product is sustainable and meets the needs of the Triple Bottom Line. 

Logos - coming a long way!

Students have been finishing off the logos for their businesses. Here are some examples. 

Mission Statements - Making Our Own

Students have made their own mission and vision statements for their businesses. Here are a few examples of the work in progress. 

NGOs and Sustainable Businesses

As part of their projects, students have been asked to find out about a local NGO or sustainable business they would like to help as part of their action. Any profits made at the action fair will go towards this organization. They should also look for businesses similar to the one they have chosen to create to understand how they work and also to get some ideas. This is also part of using the profits of their organization in a sustainable way. 

More Visits!

This week students have also heard about more sustainable businesses. We were visited by Mermeloxa. Some groups also listened to the presentation given to us by ex-alumna Sara Mitchell who represents an organization called Amantani. Other students have been making connections with other sustainable businesses, and some have started preparing for interviews. Students should be sure that they are well-planned for interviews and trips to see people. They should use the form that can be found at this link. 
FIELD TRIP FORM

Mermeloxa

Amantani

Business Names and Logos

Students have been thinking of suitable business names and logos. During this first set of ideas, they have also been working with Profesor Miguel Garcia on designing text and font types and choosing suitable images. 

Here are some initial student ideas. 

Students will now improve their designs based on the input of Professor Miguel Garcia. 

Thinking about Action

Students have also started thinking about action. They have been thinking about their products or services and how these are connected to the research they have already done. As you can see from this example, students will continue working on this next week. 

Summarising the Global Problem

Students have been summarising the main points of the global problem they found out about. The next step for some will be to make sure they have this work in English so that they can use it as part of their final presentations. 

Questions - Local Problem

As with the first inquiry students carried out, we used the key concepts to guide us in asking questions related to a local problem. 

After making their own questions, students then organized them using the MISO (media, interview, survey, observation) method in order to start finding answers.  

Student Blogs!

Students have been working on their blogs. It is important to keep up to date with this!

Independent Investigation 1 - FINISHED

Students should have finished their first independent investigation projects by today (Fri Nov. 4th). They have had over a week and a half to work on these projects and at least 3 hours of time in the lower school drop in lab working with their own questions and areas of interest. A lot of deep thinking has gone on and there are many examples of excellent levels of understanding. 

Who We Are

Students have started working on the autobiographies for their company webpages. These include information about why the students chose their projects and how they hope they can change the world. 

Profit and Loss

To tie maths into our Exhibition projects, students have started to think about and understand the concept of profit and loss. We will be continuing with this next week. 

Working through some examples related to profit and loss as a class

Sustainable or not?

This week we also had a presentation from Mr Jorge A. Bentin about some truths and myths related to sustainability (video coming soon), the importance of profit in sustainable businesses, and biomimicry. 

Mission and Vision Statements

This week, we thought a bit more about how companies and businesses communicate their messages to people. We examined the mission statements of some different brands (both sustainable and unsustainable), looking for 'impact words' and creative ideas for our own mission statements. Students then brainstormed their ideas as a starting point for next week.