INTEGRATED DESIGN: LEARNING FROM FIELDWORK

Students use basic principles of design and representation in combination with active investigations of a New York City neighborhood undergoing rapid changes in economics, development, and demographics. Working in groups, students examine the interplay of ecology, economy, and community, and create on-site maps to record and represent their observations. There will be one class field trip and several group trips to the site. After identifying a topic for exploration, students evaluate their audience, local resources, and methods of manufacture and distribution. They then design products, create systems, or plan events to enhance residents’ quality of life.