Innovation in Action: Grade 8s Shine at Future Prize Challenge
Last week, CDS hosted facilitators from the Future Design School for an exciting and full-day innovation event for our Grade 8 students. In preparation for the conference-like event, the Future Prize Challenge, students were placed in groups along with one of their teachers. Students chose an issue they are passionate about, learned about their issue and those most impacted by it, prepared surveys and gathered data in advance.
Students and their teachers were inspired and led by facilitators to think creatively, collaborate deeply, and design solutions to their issues (i.e. Stress and Students, Uniforms, Balance and Mental Health, Traffic at CDS, Homework, and How to Make Lockers More Efficient) that impact their community.
Students and their teachers were inspired and led by facilitators to think creatively, collaborate deeply, and design solutions to their issues (i.e. Stress and Students, Uniforms, Balance and Mental Health, Traffic at CDS, Homework, and How to Make Lockers More Efficient) that impact their community.
The results were incredible. Each group had an opportunity to prepare and practice a pitch and then present it to their classroom groups and judges before all students headed to the Paul C. Duckett Theatre to find out who the final four teams were at the end of the day.
Future Design School facilitators congratulated all of the students on their hard work and told them to always remember that "you have the tools and the power and the voice to solve problems in your community. ... No idea is too small .... just start!"
Future Design School facilitators congratulated all of the students on their hard work and told them to always remember that "you have the tools and the power and the voice to solve problems in your community. ... No idea is too small .... just start!"
The final four then presented to a panel of entrepreneurial-spirited professionals including:
- CDS Parents: Jasmeet Chaudhry, Co-owner of Lotus-Bloom, Deborah Gottdenker, President & Co-owner of Macfarlane Nameplate & Anodizing Corp
- CDS Alumni: Tristan Lehari ‘06, Founder & CEO at TritonWear, Elliot Eydelman ’15, Mechanical Department Supervisor at MDA Space
- CDS Directors: Mark Dilworth, Director of Educational Technology, Dave Harvey, Director of Academics, Middle & Senior Schools, David Huckvale, Director of Admissions & Post-Secondary Counselling, Brent Johnston, Executive Director of Advancement
Our judges were presented with a difficult decision, but ultimately chose a winning team and Grade 8s voted on the group deserving of The People's Choice Award. Congratulations to Team Csibi, including Rachel Huang, Daisy Dai, Fanxi Guo, Raina Shim and Emily Li, for winning first place and Team Fell with Otis Sargent, Jack Presswood, Marcus Ngo, Savannah Provenzano and Adelle Shirin, for winning the People’s Choice Award!
Thank you to the Future Design School team, our incredible judges, and Ms. Romanowich and Ms. Weening for bringing this remarkable day of innovation to life!
Thank you to the Future Design School team, our incredible judges, and Ms. Romanowich and Ms. Weening for bringing this remarkable day of innovation to life!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
