School design jam with NCR at V&A Dundee
From L-R: St Paul’s RC Academy pupils Emily, Cole, Hayley, business leader Mike Soutar, David, Daniel, Enoch, designer Nathan McWilliams, Julie Muir from V&A Dundee. Credit: Lydia Smith
School pupils from across Scotland came together for a one-day design jam at V&A Dundee today (Tuesday 6 February), judged by business leader and investor Mike Soutar and Leigh Duncan and Andrew Smith of NCR Atleos Dundee.
The Streets Ahead design challenge, supported by NCR Foundation, is aimed at inspiring the next generation of designers by introducing secondary pupils to the tools and techniques designers use to solve real-world problems.
The challenge asked S1 and S2 pupils to look at their local high street or shopping centre and then redesign it to create a more sustainable, inclusive and accessible shopping experience.
64 schools across 24 Scottish local authorities registered for the challenge, with nine winning teams from eight authorities attending the design jam.
The schools taking part in the design jam are Portlethen Academy (Aberdeenshire), Carnoustie High School (Angus), Tarbert Academy (Argyle and Bute), Braeview Academy (Dundee), St Paul’s RC Academy (Dundee), Grange Academy (East Ayrshire), Hyndland Secondary School (Glasgow), Kinross High School (Perth and Kinross) and Bannockburn High School (Stirlingshire).
The nine winning teams will develop their ideas with professional designers before their designs go on display at V&A Dundee in the summer of 2024.
Julie Muir, Learning Manager – Schools, Young People & Families at V&A Dundee, said: “V&A Dundee is perfectly placed as Scotland’s design museum to help young people and educators embrace the design process and creative problem-solving.
“Real-life design challenges are a great way to excite and engage school pupils, show them the potential of their own creativity, and to inspire them to consider different career options for the future.”
Leigh Duncan, Industry & Product Marketing Manager at NCR Atleos, said: “STEM careers are the future for many Scottish children, and NCR Atleos want to support young adults and help them succeed in their future. We are thrilled to work in such close partnership with the team at V&A Dundee.”
Mike Soutar, business leader and investor, said: “Problem solving is a necessary life skill, and paired with design and creativity, makes for a powerful set of 21st century skills for young learners. I’m delighted to be supporting this wonderful project at V&A Dundee.”
Streets Ahead builds on the successful Schools Design Challenge Competitions V&A Dundee has run in the past, giving school pupils the opportunity to work together on using creativity to solve problems which personally affect them.
Research by the British Council identified that 65% of today’s school pupils will be employed into jobs that don’t yet exist. Skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, as well as Design and Art, are increasingly in demand.
Working through the design process as part of Streets Ahead will encourage students to become adaptable, confident, creative problem solvers. To find out more, please visit https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/info/streets-ahead
