Anniversary bookmark
Group
Maranatha Christian School
Years 5-8 extension group eight-week project
Teacher: Jillian Wordsworth
The 18 members of Maranatha Christian School's extension Discovery Group have developed a commemorative bookmark, with the help of Futureintech Ambassadors, engineers Paula Nunweek and Mike Lazelle.
The group started work on their Transpower Neighbourhood Engineers Awards project by brainstorming and then evaluating ideas of potential benefit to the school. When the principal asked them to create something to commemorate the school's 40th anniversary, they discussed ideas for creating one large on-site object, but concluded that they preferred a small item suitable for individual presentation to members of the wider school community.
The students worked in small groups using the project management template their engineers had given them, and then collated all the ideas and formulated a group plan. At that stage they were split into four teams: project management, communications, design, and manufacturing.
The project management team oversaw the whole project and kept everyone on task. They used knowledge gained from their engineers to work through the process of task analysis, and constructed a time management model to ensure everything worked to plan.
The design team researched different kinds of bookmarks in terms of design and materials, deciding on metal for its durability, with card as an alternative should cost be prohibitive. They originally selected aluminium due to its light weight, but their manufacturer suggested it would be too soft and they substituted brushed stainless steel. The team invited other students to design bookmarks and incorporated some of these features in their final design. They had considered adding colour too but found this would be too expensive.
The manufacturing team researched possible materials such as leather, wood and a variety of metals and looked at different manufacturing methods. Listening to Mike's enthusiastic description of laser-cutting projects inspired them to make use of this technique, and they approached three firms for cost estimates. One was prepared to charge production costs only and willing to have students visit during production, which made for an easy choice. Touring the site and seeing their product being manufactured was a highlight of the project and provided students with an insight into the engineering industry.
The communications team liaised between the principal, Board of Trustees, Foundation Board and other stakeholders, such as local businesses, to identify possible sources to help fund the project. After discussion with the design team, the project was brought within budget by leaving out the school logo; knowing that the school logo was going to be changed made this decision easier.
When the Discovery Group members saw the completed prototype they decided it needed some colour, and incorporated the school colours by adding a blue tassel (tied by group members in embroidery thread) and wrapping each bookmark in red tissue paper for presentation.
Students learnt the value of 'contingency time' when the original manufacturing date was changed, which resulted in the bookmarks arriving on the morning of the celebration and a last-minute rush to hand-polish, thread tassel, and wrap each one.
The bookmarks were presented during the anniversary celebrations to past and present pupils, staff, and others involved with the school, with many commenting on the professional quality of the product.
Teacher comment
The children were fantastic! Individual strengths emerged, along with recognition of how each contributed to the whole. They solved problems creatively, and by the end of the project were able to make sound decisions as a team. When looming deadlines created pressure, all hands were willingly and enthusiastically on deck, sacrificing play-times to ensure the project was completed and completed well.
The bookmark on display
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