Invention Squad ran an all day workshop for Grade 5 Clinton Street students. The brief was for teams of kids to work together and design, model and then build either a table or a chair. Constructing furniture -especially chairs-is one of our favourite challenges because it requires a delicate balance between ergonomics (a comfortable fit for the body) and artistry (a design that looks great).
In our workshop, students are given a chance to move from a 2D sketch to a small construction paper model and then scale it up to create a full size piece of furniture. This open-ended prototyping exercise requires thought about how to make a structure strong and stable and yet comfortable at the same time.
Some of the tables were attractive as well as functional.
