The “Green & Me School Outreach” (junior primary) for P3-4 is themed “Micro Farms”. It aims to guide students in building empathy and observing others’ needs through a scenario-based exploration of resource inequality on our planet. Students will learn about the ways in which human activity can affect nature, and reflect on the complex relationships between the two. They will then come up with problem solutions by applying design thinking methods. We hope that each participant will be able to develop empathetic skills to benefit themselves and nature, and make a stride towards becoming a thoughtful world citizen.
Initial phase:
Participants will explore the problem from multiple perspectives and build empathy through drama, interactive games, group discussions and research. By the end of this phase, they will come up with solution ideas.
Development phase:
Participants will learn basic production techniques, as well as technological and architectural skills, which they will apply to create sketches and 1:1 “Micro Farm” prototypes using various tools. This is followed by practical prototype testing.
Completion phase:
Participants will analyse and refine their prototypes based on testing results. They will also learn to share their creative processes, final results, and reflections in a presentation session, where they will be able to celebrate their accomplishments with peers, teachers, and parents.
The teaching team led by Littleurbanmountain is comprised of multi-disciplinary local creatives, including architects, designers, makers/craftsmen and drama educators. The team will guide students in experiencing the process of design thinking through the creative workshop.
Littleurbanmountain is a collaborative platform that focuses on architecture, interior design and art in Hong Kong. Founded by architect Bong Yeung and theatre artist Lai Sim Fong in 2017, Littleurbanmountain is keen on exploring the relationship between architecture and human condition. Started by working on projects related to sustainable design and social architecture, the team now also creates art installations and participates in community, architectural and interior design projects.
The theme of the GREEN & ME School Outreach (Senior Primary) is “(Make) Sense of Nature”. Through a series of experiential activities created with applied design thinking methodology, participants explore their own relationships with nature, empathise with the self and the natural world, and reconnect with the earth. They also learn about the essential roles played by nature in mental and physical wellbeing.
The programme begins with exploring nature with different senses (immerse) and pondering the relationships between human and the natural world (understand). At the same time, kids are encouraged to express feelings and practice empathy with others through learning about various emotions (empathise).
In the second part, inspiration from nature is transformed into innovative solutions through a design exercise. After guided problem definition and ideation, kids will be able to combine various elements in the design of a tool or installation aimed at eliciting positive emotions. Finally, they will collaborate to prototype and test their design solutions, bringing creative thoughts into reality.
Design thinking can offer invaluable support throughout kids’ growth. Let’s make this happen!
The teaching team of this programme is led by Milk Design and Stickyline. Combining a group of cross-disciplinary creatives including software engineers, forest therapy guides, product designers, and designer-artists, the team hopes to guide students to experience the process of design thinking.
• Milk Design Limited | Coordination and course design
Milk Design, recognised as an unique and renowned design studio from Hong Kong, is founded by Mr Lee Chi Wing, an experienced product designer, educator in Hong Kong. The team shares the philosophy that design is a good opportunity to practise empathy, think critically, and apply creativity for daily living and to the society. Design represents an unique and valuable process that everyone shall be involved, inspired and being able to contribute towards a better future together.
• STICKYLINE | Coordination and course design
Stickyline was founded in 2011 by Mic Leong & Soilworm Lai. Focusing on paper engineering and structure development, the creative duo have been transforming two-dimensional planes into three-dimensional forms through deconstruction and reconstruction. By folding and creasing, they have created art and design in its own form as installation art, sculpture, stage design and window display, etc. In 2013-14, Stickyline was invited by Hong Kong Ambassadors of Design (AoD) and Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) to participate in the International Design Festival Berlin 2013 and exhibited in Milan Design Week 2014 under Stickyline. Collaborations with brands include Henrik Vibskov, Ralph Lauren, Mercedes-Benz, Puma, Paul and Shark, Lomography and Givenchy.
• Amanda Yik | Certified Forest Therapy Guide
Amanda Yik is the founder of Shinrin Yoku Hong Kong, an award-winning Certified Forest Therapy Guide and the first and only Asia-based Trainer with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, as well as an ICF Certified Professional Coach for Transformation. Since 2017, she has guided and facilitated more than 250 forest bathing and nature connection experiences, lectures and workshops and is frequently cited in local and international media on forest therapy, and has spoken at international conferences about applying forest therapy in the unique environment of Hong Kong.
• UUendy Lau (UU) | Designer-artist
UUendy Lau (UU) is a designer-artist who creates projects that provoke alternative speculations on nature. Graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London with MA Design: Critical Practice and HKPolyU Design with BA Design: Industrial & Product, UU has directed her creations towards making discursive enquiries into unfamiliar juxtapositions between the natural world and human-made inventions through creative processes of researching, designing and making. The main theme of her work centres on ‘nature and animals’, a universal and inclusive subject permeating all cultures, languages, lifestyles and beliefs.
• Allan Au | Software engineer
New media artist and software engineer specializing in interactive installations. Completed his Master’s degree in Interactive Digital Media at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication (UK). Allan is passionate about collaborating with designers and artists from different fields. His works have been exhibited at various international and local art, design, and architecture exhibitions.
