Future Thinkers Program: Unleashing Creativity and Designing the Libraries of Tomorrow
When the MCF launched the Future Thinkers program last September in collaboration with ArkA, I knew this would be an incredible opportunity for some of our Daystar students. Those who took part would be embarking on an incredible journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Fast forward eight months, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. The international students from Daystar Academy, ISB, BCIS, BSB, along with participating migrant students, instructors, and volunteers, have poured their hearts and souls into this groundbreaking program.
Five students from Daystar Academy eagerly seized the opportunity to partake in this initiative, which not only offered profound Service as Action / CAS but also propelled them into a rigorous architectural design competition with real-world outcomes. The stakes were high: the winning team would bring their library design to life!
Representing Daystar Academy were Lucy, Lilian, and Alvin from DP1, as well as Harry and Dora from Grade 10. As part of a combined international and migrant school team, these students crafted remarkable library designs, paying meticulous attention to furniture selection, color choice, material options, and design concepts. Their target audience, students aged 6-12, inspired an array of innovative ideas.
Under the guidance of ArkA’s award-winning architects, the students honed their skills and produced designs of exceptional quality. Over the final four weeks, each design was judged on its theme, concept, and viability. The suspense culminated in the announcement of the winning team at the prestigious Future Thinkers Award ceremony last Friday.
This transformative learning experience was made possible by Helen Boyle from MCF, ArkA, and the unwavering dedication and support of numerous organizations. Daystar Academy and other partner schools not only contributed financially and logistically but also ensured that migrant children could attend weekend sessions and collaborate with their fellow teammates.
The students’ impressive designs, movement flows, and 3D models showcased their immense talent and dedication. Each team was celebrated at an unforgettable awards dinner at the Hilton Hotel, which doubled as a fundraiser to finance the construction of the winning design at the migrant school in the coming months.
The esteemed judging panel, composed of architects from ArkA and other leading Beijing-based firms, awarded first place to Team Origin, led by Daystar’s own Lucy Wang from DP1. Harry Shen’s team secured second place, and Dora Liu’s team, also from Daystar, claimed third place. Congratulations to all the participants for their extraordinary achievements in shaping the libraries of tomorrow!
David Kelly, May 2023
To see the full event pictures gallery, click here.
Photos courtesy of “Travelling Light Photography“.