Centre for Innovation
WHO WE ARE
The Centre for Innovation is a space for girls to have fun and play whilst they "think, tinker and create"
Our mission is to :
To be the pioneers that are changing education
where we transform teaching and learning
as active leaders and
rethink what’s possible
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WHY?
It is a space that has been designed to give girls an opportunity to develop their
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creative
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collaborative
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problem-solving and
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risk-taking skills
WHAT?
It is commonly known that women are grossly under-represented in the technological industry and in engineering. Google has acknowledged this and are trying to do something about it - https://www.madewithcode.com/. The Centre for Innovation is a hub where girls can get creative and innovative using new and emerging technologies. We are igniting the passion in our younger girls to show that technology is a legitimate pathway for women.
WHO?
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We are committed to giving girls an opportunity to develop their creative skills through technology.
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Since the establishment of the Centre for Innovation we have made connections with leading women such as Bridget McKendry who started the ChchFab Lab. Bridget and Carl embraced the maker-space culture and provided the community with a space to create. St Margaret's College also work alongside che staff of with Turanga at the Christchurch Central Library.
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The projects that come out of the Centre for Innovation are be based on girls' passions.
The Centre for Innovation has been in operation since April 2015. Linda has taken this space and provided a plethora of tech activities to students and staff from pre-school through to year 13. Some of the many integrated activities have involved 3D printing, Animation, Augmented Reality, Laser Cutting, Coding, Computational Thinking, Robotics and a wealth of presentation tools that have been used predominately in English and Social Science. She has also presented at a number of conferences and continues to tell our St Margaret's College story.
Most recently she has shared our journey with the delegates from Delving Deeper Conference, IWBNet Digital Schools Conference, Technology Education NZ Conference. Her knowledge as a Google Certified Educator supports the learning in the classroom with the use of the Google Apps For Education platform [GAFE].
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Both these women have completed the Mindlab Applied Practice (Digital & Cooperative Learning) Postgraduate Diploma, Apple Teachers recognition and Google Educators Level 2 recognition.
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Our latest introduction to learning is to offer a Level 1 course called 'Project X' starting in 2020. Students can choose this programme that is an alternative to traditional learning. Students will use a new approach with agile thinking and project based learning on a topic of their choice which will draw on a variety of curriculum areas. The students are the centre of this course and with guidance, they will determine the outcomes for assessment. Participants in Project X are expected to develop skills that are responsive to our changing world.
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Mid 2017 we welcomed to the Centre for Innovation team Audrey Campbell, who works closely with Linda to deepen and engage students in their learning. Audrey comes to St Margaret's College with a wide range of skills and knowledge. She has an extensive background working in the education centre at the Christchurch Libraries IT Learning Centre.
Audrey's expertise lies in the Junior School Y1-8 where she is infusing the new Digital Technologies Curriculum into other classroom programmes and Inquiry. Part in parcel of this is working alongside teachers and students to build confidence and knowledge of digital possibilities.
The Head of the Centre for Innovation comes with over 25 years of teaching experience. She is committed to growing her own personal knowledge, understanding, and application in this field.
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Her vision is to heighten the interest of girls in Computer Science. This will involve providing a range of experiences for students in the Junior and Middle school so that the girls can have a NCEA academic pathway to tertiary education and beyond. Linda is facilitating a number of programmes that integrate with the NZC. "Failing forward" and the "process" are crucial stages in learning and Linda is committed to providing opportunities for all sectors of our community to grow and learn.