At Mount Vernon, innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a daily part of life and learning. For the second consecutive year, Grade 8 students in Impact Design Lab (IDL) are taking on the challenge of reimagining the field games for Mustang Rally, our beloved annual spring carnival. This year’s project, much like the ones before it, exemplifies our commitment to student-driven learning and the application of designing thinking principles in real-world scenarios.
Checking in with Mr. Day, we got a sneak peek on the 2024 field game design progress so far, as well as a few possible new games (SPOILER ALERT below).
In interviews during the discovery phase of their design process, it’s evident that Grade 8 students have become deeply invested in making the 2024 field games not only engaging but also inclusive for participants of all ages. After speaking with both members of Grade 5, and Administrators in the Upper School, they recognized the importance of creating experiences that would resonate with older students while still catering to the younger ones. This insight led to a deliberate effort to revamp existing games and introduce new ones that would appeal to a wider range of participants.
One of the key takeaways from last year’s experience was the need for clearer communication and organization surrounding the games. Some of Mr. Welch’s students got a chance to interview Ms. Hudson, Director of Lower School, who shared insights from the lower school teacher perspective. Drawing upon this feedback IDL students identified areas for improvement, such as providing better guidance to both participants and facilitators. Observing a Grade 1 PE class helped IDL students gain valuable perspective on the amount of prescription and coordination younger students might need leading up to the field games on April 26.
