Introduction to Design & Architecture - Term 3

Course Overview

Embark on a transformative 18-week journey that introduces students to the fundamentals of Design and Architecture through immersive, hands-on exploration. Curated and led by DesignTinkers' experienced instructors, including professional educators, architects, and designers, this program offers a highly supportive environment where children can freely explore, create, and collaborate.

By blending science, engineering, art, and architecture, students build unique interdisciplinary skills. Through sketching, model-making, and structural prototyping, they will learn to observe the world around them, imagine new possibilities, and transform their big ideas into tangible, imaginative creations.

Course Content

Exploring Techniques in Drawing, Model Making & Interior Design (Week 1-9) Jul - Sep

Over 9 weeks, students will explore the fundamentals of architectural drawing, including plan, elevation, and perspective views, using their home layout as a reference. They will study and construct their own interpretation of an iconic Singapore landmark building, followed by a perspective drawing of their creation. Students will also be introduced to construction techniques such as slit-and-slot and weaving with natural materials to form architectural structures. Additionally, they will delve into interior design concepts for small spaces by designing a favourite corner and their dream bedroom. This includes creating 2D plan layouts, sketches, and a 3D prototype of their room design.

Designing Playful and Functional Objects (Week 10-16) Sep - Nov

Over 7 weeks, students will explore the exciting world of design through a range of creative projects, from wearables to functional and playful objects. They will apply basic physics concepts as they design and construct their own Marble Run Maze, and study ergonomics by creating miniature prototypes of chair designs. Through building a lamp structure, students will investigate the interaction of light and shadow. Additionally, students will collaborate in pairs to build a life-size chair, applying modular design principles. We promise it will be another engaging term filled with diverse topics, hands-on learning, and creative exploration!

Final 2 Weeks: Showcasing and Presentation (Week 17-18):

In the final two weeks, students will have the opportunity to showcase the work they've completed throughout the programme. In Week 17, they will learn how to create a digital portfolio using Canva, effectively highlighting their projects and accomplishments. Week 18 will focus on developing verbal presentation skills, helping students confidently share and discuss their creative process, ideas, and finished work. The programme will culminate in an open showcase, an exciting opportunity for parents to visit and celebrate their child's hard work and achievements.

Learning Outcomes

What your child will gain:

• Learn hands-on making techniques through weekly guided projects
• Develop design thinking skills that blend creativity, logic, and empathy
• Grow in creative confidence and self-expression
• Build a portfolio of works to showcase competencies for Direct School Admission (DSA) applications, where applicable

Teaching Methods

Our pedagogy is centered around Project-Based, Experiential Learning. Rather than passive listening, students learn through weekly guided, tactile projects that encourage active problem-solving and iterative design (trial and error). The curriculum emphasizes peer collaboration-such as the life-size chair team build-to develop emotional intelligence, communication, and teamwork skills within a real studio-like environment.

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites needed.

Assessment Methods:

No assessments will be done.

Required Materials: 

Bring a water bottle and a light jacket.

Important Notes: 

• Paid Trial Lesson ($75) is available once for new students
• No class on Public Holidays
• Term 4 will resume based on the demand

Parent Testimonial:

"My child has been with DesignTinkers for over a year with more than 20 proud “masterpieces”. What makes the program so unique is the incredible team committed to nurturing creativity and independent thinking for young minds. It’s way beyond just crafting and building." Michelle S.

"Thank you for sharing the class summary as well as the photos. This really helps a lot in understanding what the kids had focused on during their class. I also appreciate your "growth mindset" approach, which helps them build the resilience and know how to get better at what they do. My child and I look forward to another class in the coming weekend." Sabrina W.

📱Stay connected with us on the go!

Download the Agora Parents App to receive live updates from teachers and the Agora team. Simply search "Agora Parents" on the App Store or Google Play, or use the links below:

App Store | Google Play