Outcomes
"One of my aims this year was to continue to raise the profile of technology within the school - with students, parents, other teachers and the principal. The Te Papa project has helped do that - particularly the display within the senior art exhibition, which was a great success."
The students’ finished prototypes were of excellent design and quality - exceptional for a Year 11 class. This was recognised through their inclusion in the Senior Art and Technology exhibition in Term 4. Success was further celebrated with a display at Te Papa in September 2006.
The NCEA results for this class were good, with a very pleasing number of 'Excellence' grades in both internal and external assessments. These reflected the quality of the practice and the outcomes produced, the hands-on teaching style and the ongoing and positive reinforcement from the teacher, and the invaluable input and support from the Te Papa Store staff.
The extension of this project to twice its projected length was a major factor in the restructuring of the school's Technology project planning for 2006 at all levels.
Teacher's comments:
The thing that worked really well in this unit was the enthusiasm of the girls. I was fed by how excited and into it they were, and by the way they talked about their practice to each other. We'd built up a culture of evaluation and consultation and stakeholder awareness - I didn't even need to be there. If I turned up to class two minutes late they'd already be in class with all their stuff out. It's probably the best class I've ever taught in terms of getting on and doing the business of technology the way it should be done. - Barbara Knight
Comments from three students:
What did you enjoy most about the project about the Year 11 project?
"Developing a whole lot of new skills that we could use… that was fun."
"The detailed research we did at the start… finding out more about souvenirs and how they could symbolise New Zealand."
"I've always wanted a beanbag… and I got the chance to come up with a new design - and make it… "
"Doing so well in the external assessment… that was a good feeling."
"Working with Te Papa as the client… the meetings were really well structured and the comments and suggestions they gave when we talked with them were very helpful."
What did you have a bit of difficulty with?
"On-going reflection - getting into a pattern of noting things down regularly… at first I felt a bit self conscious doing it, but I just do it naturally now."
"Coming up with original ideas…"
Key elements for success:
- Always knowing what we had to do and when it had to be finished
- Getting help when it was needed
- Being able to visit the gift stores at Te Papa
- A teacher who made it fun
- Having the skills we needed
- Seeing the finished souvenirs on display
Colin McFetridge:
At Te Papa Store, our staff have enjoyed working with teacher Barbara Knight and her students from Queen Margaret College. We were impressed by the professional approach shown by students involved with this project to develop prototype merchandise suitable for sale at either Te Papa Store or Te Papa Kids' Store. Successful outcomes have been mutual for those involved from Te Papa Store and Queen Margaret College. For students, they have achieved real life business experiences while for Te Papa's retail staff, participation has resulted in personal fulfilment from the sharing of skills and knowledge as part of the student interaction and project development
