Design Make Innovate

Design Make Innovate (DMI) is a design and technology project involving 510 students. It is a collaborative project involving both primary and secondary students from the Northern Beaches Secondary College (NBSC) and the Northern Beaches Learning Alliance (NBLA).

Over 100 Year 9 students from NBSC Balgowlah Boys and Mackellar Girls Campuses mentored 400 primary students throughout this project. The Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 students were from Harbord, Manly Vale and Dee Why Public Schools.

Primary students worked in groups of 4 to 5 students to design and make a product using Caine's Arcade as an inspirational starting point. NBSC Year 9 students mentored the primary groups in the new design thinking process and the preparation of the associated portfolio.

The DMI project culminated with an expo held at the NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus. The best student works from each of the Primary Schools were showcased at the expo. A panel of judges assessed the projects and selected an ‘Outstanding Achievement Award' for each Primary School. Parents and visitors voted for a ‘People's Choice Award' for each school. Certificates were awarded during the presentation ceremony at NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus for these special awards. Certificates were also presented to all students who participated in the project at their own school.

NBSC Year 9 mentors were highly praised for their leadership qualities throughout Design Make Innovate.