Belfast School of Architecture partnered with Methodist College Belfast
The overarching aim is to break down gender perceptions in approaches to teaching science (specifically physics) and design (specifically textiles). It will seek demonstrate that a design-led process can positively influence students’ learning and understanding of science. Further, it will demonstrate the benefits of adopting a multidisciplinary, co-design approach to learning within the secondary education curriculum. The project will use conductive textiles to explore soft electrical circuits. These will build collectively into an e-textiles sensory wall. There will also be opportunities for the students to develop their new knowledge further by developing technology based concepts into fashion and textile outcomes, in response to societal problems faced by young people. The students will work across the disciplines of science, art and technology to share knowledge and synthesize science and creative principles to produce novel outcomes.
Janet Coulter – Project Lead & Senior lecturer, Fashion Design; Belfast School of Architecture. Janet is a Distinguished Fellow of Business and Enterprise at Ulster University where she has been a Director of Academic Enterprise for the past eight years. Janet has 30 years of international experience in the fashion industry, having worked previously in Paris, London and in the design and manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland. She has a special interest in technical textiles and has a strong track record in the delivery of collaborative projects with industry, in designing bullet proof armour and thermoplastic moulding of Kevlar for 3D shaping in female body armour. She has designed smart rehabilitation garments for injured greyhounds and has brought new fashion and textile design expertise to a food processing farm, using animal bi-product, in an award winning project.
Janet's current PhD work is in the field of e-fashion to support Health and Wellbeing and she will use this to bring skills and expertise in textiles, conductive materials and creative interdisciplinary methodologies to the project. She is interested in co-design of e-wearable's and interdisciplinary in design and has a number of published papers in this field. She will use her knowledge within these fields to bring fresh thinking to the co-delivery of design and STEM based subject to secondary School education.
Lauren Davidson has been a teacher of Art and Design and Moving Image Arts in the school for the past 9 years. With her degree in graphic, product and interactive design she is keen to contribute her skills and enthusiasm for idea generation and development. Through the teaching of her two subjects, Lauren has a wealth of experience in inspiring and encouraging pupils to develop and refine creative ideas from initial concept to final outcome. Her experience using textiles in the Art and Design classroom will also lend itself to supporting the pupils as the e-textiles project develops.
Most importantly, Lauren has a creative mind and an eye for detail and is looking forward to complimenting and developing the visual aesthetics of the project and is keen to lead the documentation of the project on film. Coming from a background in design, creative problem solving is at the forefront of her skill set and Lauren is passionate about finding creative solutions to design briefs. Her skills in 2D illustration, design and vector base drawings are immediately transferable to the production machinery in the technology department. Lauren plans to help the pupils create illustrated vectors that can be used as complex circuit tracks in and around the fabrics.
James McKee has a Mechanical Engineering degree and a PGCE in Technology and Design. James will bring specialist knowledge of creative technology and microelectronics to the project. He has a passion to empower and enthuse students in the development and application of skills experienced across STEM subjects. He has coordinated a number of STEM projects including Formula One in school technology challenge and Sentinus Team R and D programme. His role in the project is Technology advisor, coordinator and student mentor.
Jonathan Coulter teaches Physics across the key stages at Methodist College. He is interested in helping non-scientists understand Physics and in working in a cross-curricular environment. His Master’s research project was a joint venture between the schools of Chemistry and Physics at Edinburgh University. His doctorate in the field of Physics research was conducted in collaboration with partner labs across a range of university schools and departments, giving him an insight into the benefits of utilising a variety of skills and passions in co-operative efforts. Jonathan also brings industrial experience to the project, having worked for a number of years in the chemical industry in Grangemouth, Scotland.
Julie Copeland has a degree in Physics and has been a Physics teacher in Methodist College for nearly thirty years. She is Head of Science and Technology and an Assistant Principal Teacher. She coordinates STEM events in the College and works with external agencies and STEM Ambassadors to deliver careers advice to the students. She also organises the Sentinus Research and Design Programme in the school for teams of Sixth Formers to work with engineers in industry to come up with solutions to real life problems in local companies. She is delighted to be part of the team delivering the e-textile project and hopes that the cross-curricular approach through Art, Physics and Technology will provide exciting opportunities for innovation and creativity. She will have a co-ordinating role in the project and will offer support to both staff and pupils.