At the intersection of STEM and Art and Design

Interdisciplinary study is an essential part of preparing students for the world beyond school. Most careers require a diverse skillset with capabilities across more than one learning area.

Students in Year 9 and 10 who are interested in design, science, engineering, technology or all of the above had the opportunity to see the intersections of STEM and Art and Design in action recently in a trip to Toyota’s Design Innovation Centre. This fascinating excursion allowed students to experience how the company brings together the sciences and creativity to design their vehicles.

The students were given a tour of the facility by Toyota Australia’s Manager of Prototyping before moving into a space to start to work with some of Toyota’s leading concept designers to experience the design process for themselves. Students were given information as to how the designers first start with concept sketches and were supported to produce their own. They then were shown how, even now, car designers produce clay models of their designs so that a final shape can be produced. Our students then had the opportunity to get their hands dirty, using a polymer clay to form their own models from their original concept designs. Finally, working with an experienced CAD specialist, they were shown how models are laser scanned to produce the plans that are used to cut the panels for the final product.

This process reflects the design thinking and project-based approaches which are being utilised in STEM and Art and Design subjects at Carey, and hopefully inspired a few of our students to create incredible things at school.

Krista Bayliss
Leader of Learning – Science