Workshop 1

The Open Montessori Workshop is a special 5-day primer course on design thinking and digital fabrication. New School students from the 7th and 8th grade classroom will be invited to reflect on the legacy of Maria Montessori, the Italian medical doctor who revolutionized early-education through her innovative research, writing, and design.

During the workshop, each student will begin by analyzing one of Montessori’s celebrated ‘learning objects’. The objects will be documented carefully using a variety of tools and techniques. Representational drawings and descriptions will then be transformed back into reality with the help of a 3d printer.

The exercise challenges students to jump between concrete and abstract modes of thought and expression. As they move through the creative workflow, students will gain exposure to new softwares and digital tools — empowering them to generate and share their own innovative design ideas in the future.