Learning at WAB is always joyful and challenging. This was truly demonstrated during a recent Design unit, where Grade 9 students presented Fun Fair games that they had designed to Grade 4 students for testing and feedback.  

High School Design teacher Victoria Varona explained, "We're doing a unit called Make Your Own Fun, and right now the students are testing their games." She further emphasized that the purpose of this unit is for Grade 9’s to engage in human-centered designs, where they have real-life clients and collect requests from them. 

This unit began earlier in the year when Grade 9 students visited Elementary School and spoke with their young customers. Through questionnaire forms, the high schoolers gathered product requests and then designed games tailored to their client's preferences. 

Phil Smith, High School Design teacher, and Learning Leader, explained the Grade 9 students formed project teams to tackle the tasks. This collaborative approach allowed them to work together to complete their designs.  

Developing a range of fun-fair games requires meticulous planning, innovative design thinking, effective communication, and seamless collaboration. Phil emphasized that students "learned to consider different perspectives, collaborate and build consensus, construct large-scale products, and most importantly, how to have fun with design." 

To see some of the final products and the excitement of both Grade 9 and 4 students, be sure to watch the video above.