Shaping the Future with Design and Fabrication

What if you could solve a problem that mattered to you and create something truly your own? That is the challenge students in our new Design & Fabrication course have been embracing.

Walking into the Design & Fabrication classroom, you're immediately struck by the energy. 3D printers whir quietly in the background while students huddle over workstations, sketching, modeling, and bringing their ideas to life.

"Design is everywhere, in everything we do," explains teacher Matt McEwen. "We're teaching students how to think through problems, research solutions, and create something tangible."

Design & Fabrication, one of 20 new courses this year, prompts students in grades 9-12 to identify a personal problem, such as a storage or organizational challenge, and work through the design cycle to create unique, tangible solutions. The iterative process includes sketching, prototyping, and refining their designs based on feedback from peers and teachers. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience with tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and Fusion 360 software.

Failing Forward Provides Valuable Lessons

As students work to find solutions to the problems they've identified, they learn important lessons along the way. "Students don't know what they don't know," McEwen shares, "and that's exactly why the process is so valuable. They learn through doing, through testing, through failing forward."

During a High School Parent Coffee about this year's new STEAM courses, Tesla, a Grade 12 student (cover image), reflected on her project walking parents through her design process: "Initially, I identified my client’s need for a functional and aesthetically pleasing vanity organizer inspired by my challenges with clutter. I went through multiple iterations, testing materials, and refining my design with Fusion 360 and Adobe Illustrator. Eventually, I used laser cutting and smoky acrylic to create a product that lights up in the dark, adding both practicality and beauty to my space."

Ryan, a senior and a student in both Design & Fabrication and Robotics, shared his process during the Parent Coffee: "One common problem I found was kitchen utensil storage when washing dishes. I designed a caddy that hangs off a cabinet door or sits on the countertop. My initial sketches were basic boxes, but as I worked through multiple iterations, I refined the hooks for better strength and reusability. Using Fusion 360, I developed a final product where the hooks slide into place with a simple friction fit, making them easy to replace if needed."

Innovative Learning Opportunities at SSIS

SSIS’s broader academic offerings, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP), and our groundbreaking SSIS courses, underscore the dedication to preparing students for a dynamic future.

Next year, students will have even more opportunities with additional new courses such as AP Pre-Calculus, Architecture & Interior Design, IB Film, and an expanded Robotics program, which will introduce FIRST Robotics which connects teams across 28 countries.

High School Associate Principal Chad McGartlin notes, "We’re investing time, talent, and resources into ensuring our students have access to programs that reflect the evolving global economy. The future is hands-on, and we are preparing students to lead."

Whether students pursue engineering, art, or entirely new fields, our world-class faculty, cutting-edge programs, and state-of-the-art facilities will help shape their futures.

To learn more about our diverse course offerings and how SSIS uniquely prepares students to forge new paths, we invite you to explore our new High School Program of Studies for the upcoming school year.