OCAD University Placement with Little Inventors
For the third year running Little Inventors as partnered with OCAD University in Toronto, Canada, to offer placement opportunities to students of creative and STEM based courses. This year the placement was awarded to Siyan Jin, a student of Environmental Design.
This year we matched our placement student with our Toronto based schools partner Somerset Academy and their International Schools challenge, to give Siyan the experience of bringing to life a chosen idea — just as one of our professional makers would do — from the invention challenge based around climate action and sustainability
Siyan selected the invention Pet Wagon by Priscilla, age 10 from Markham Canada. Over the course of the placement Siyan brought Priscilla's idea to life as a functioning 3D prototype.
The whole making process from inital contact with the little inventor through to completion has been shared through Siyan's eyes and words on her Maker Blog.
The experience was topped off with an in-person visit to Somerset Academy to unveil the amazing 'brought to life' invention to Priscilla and her whole school. This was the first time Priscilla saw her Pet Wagon invention come to life as a 3D model, and it was a very special moment for her to share with her teachers, parents and classmates.
Siyan presented the placement experience to the school students — introducing them to her studies at OCAD University, and exposing them to the further education opportunities in the area and possibility to pursue creativity as a fundamental career choice.
Priscilla also stood up in front of the school and bravely shared about her experience of having her idea selected and made real!
"The students, teachers, and parents were truly inspired to see how Siyan was able to study Priscilla’s ideas and create a model on an invention that is very user friendly and unique.
Our students are eager to come up with new ideas for this year’s invention challenge, while keeping Priscilla’s lasting comments in mind... Even a small idea can turn into something really amazing!
Today, when Somerset students learn about world's inventors, they know exactly what inspired them. Our students understand that inventors may have come up with simple solutions, but these solutions can transform into one of the most useful inventions on Earth. "
—Jyothy Mathur, STEM Coordinator, Somerset Academy
"This placement opportunity was very exciting for me because it was my first-ever placement, and it involved working with children’s creative ideas and crafts, which fits perfectly with my personal interests.
I really enjoyed seeing the Pet Wagon gradually take shape to look more and more like Priscilla’s original drawing. Communication was also a big part of the experience, and I’m very grateful for all Ellie's (Little Inventors team) help and guidance throughout. She were so patient and careful! "
—Siyan Jin, OCAD Placement student