READesign
Based on the Novel Engineering program by Tufts University, participants design, build and test prototypes for a story book character. Through READesign, we hope to inspire a love for both learning and creative design, leading to increased literacy in young people and an increased adoption of technology and problem solving/critical thinking.
Target Audience: Elementary and Middle School
Community Partners: Local Libraries (e.g. RMWB, CPL, KPL)
Program Lead: Jennifer Xie (programs@brainstemalliance.com)
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Case Study
READesign involves reading different storybooks and creating real life engineering projects to help solve the problems the storybook characters face through different creative projects. It aims to inspire a love for learning and creative design in young kids, increasing literacy skills, adoption of technology, problem solving, and critical thinking skills in young participants.
READesign has had a significant impact on many young kids and their introduction to STEM. Since 2016, the program has only continued to grow all over Canada to shape young minds through different activities and hands on problem solving to help save their favourite storybook characters. With its high engagement throughout this program, there have been multiple sessions scheduled across Canada making it possible to continue to inspire more kids.
Year in Review
2016
Two separate sessions were held, during which participants read Mathew and the Midnight Truck. They created different engineering projects to help solve different issues presented in the story.
2017
Twelve sessions were run where participants built Mars Rovers, created escape plans and used engineering design processes to solve different issues the storybook characters faced.
2018
Students continued to learn about the different engineering and the design process and put these skills to use to build different structures such as volcanoes and buildings to withstand earthquakes. Also, they learned how to 3D print different designs.
2021
Virtual READesign was held in partnership with the Calgary Library and the book Red Elephant was read to learn about waste management. Students were thoroughly engaged throughout this virtual program.
2023
Participants were given robotic kits to make robotic arms after reading the book Tess Makes a Mess. Participants were thoroughly happy and engaged with building the robotic arms. All sessions were held in person.