Elements courses are opportunities for students to really indulge their passion for technology, food, design or textiles. There truly is something for everyone and we encourage all students to consider adding these to their option choices. Whether you are a budding chef, a potential architect or the next Jean Paul Gautier there is an Elements course for you here. This page contains lots of information from the staff who are running these courses, but also from the students themselves who have taken them. Enjoy!
Download an information leaflet here. Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures. The course gives students an insight into the exciting world of architecture and is designed to develop their creativity, drawing and 3D-modelling skills, spatial awareness and contextual understanding necessary towards Art and/or Design courses at IB DP/BTEC level. Over the course, students learn that architects draw for a number of different reasons and audiences – to record observations, convey ideas, illustrate systems etc. Students develop their observational and drawing skills and are introduced to specialist computer software such as Google Sketchup and TinkerCAD. Students explore a range of methods to generate creative ideas through experimental freeform paper-sculpting, welding/scribble strategies and bio-mimicry. Through a group research task and a model-building competition, students develop their communication, collaborative and presentation skills – transferable skills that are beneficial across all disciplines. Students will also have the unique opportunity to visit iconic buildings in Hong Kong on field trips. At the end of the course, students develop and write their own design brief and specification for a personal project, where they apply their prior learning to their final outcomes (a digital portfolio and 3D model).
Have you got a creative side, or do you want to learn how to develop some creative flair? 3D Product Design is all about applying creativity to the task at hand. Whether it be Art Nouveau jewellery, a Bauhaus chess board or a piece of junk in need of up-cycling, you will learn the creative design skills and the practical tooling skills to be able to create products that are high quality, and serve a purpose. Why buy when you can make it yourself!
Communication 50%
Collaboration 80%
Creativity 80%
Capacity to Learn 50%
This course is great for people who enjoy designing and making things. If you enjoy subjects like Art or DT and you would like to develop some more practical skills using hand tools, machines and modern technologies, then this is the course for you. The design side of the course focusses heavily on Creativity, whilst the practical making side focusses on developing collaborative skills and Capacity to Learn new practical skills using traditional hand tools, workshop machinery and exciting modern technologies (3D printers/laser cutters). It is particularly useful for students studying or looking to study iGCSE Engineering or IB DT, as it will equip you with the basics of materials knowledge and practical skills to excel in these courses.
Have you ever used a product and wondered how it works? Or have you ever been frustrated by something and wanted to find a way to solve the problem? If so, then this is the course for you! How Stuff Works is all about discovery and exploration. Why do the planets orbit the way they do? Why is bamboo used for scaffolding? Join us to find out through both the theoretical world of maths, and the physical world of experimentation, and develop a host of problem solving skills along the way!
Communication 70%
Collaboration 100%
Creativity 70%
Capacity to Learn 50%
This course is aimed at inquisitive minds. It will focus heavily on Collaboration working in small groups for every project, Communication as a skill for explaining your ideas and theories, and Creativity for exploring various solutions to solve problems. This course is an excellent introduction to the world of Engineering, and is therefore highly recommended for students studying, or wanting to study iGCSE Engineering or IB DT.
Pupils design, model and make a number of position control systems to meet a variety of design briefs. VEX IQ construction kits are used to model systems and introduce robotics concepts. Students explore the characteristics of ultrasonic sensors, gyro sensors, D.C. motors, and LEDs. Each year VEX IQ introduces a new robotics challenge competition. Students design and make a robot to compete in the current VEX IQ Challenge competition. Bots are designed to be remotely controlled and fully autonomous.
Communication 40%
Collaboration 60%
Creativity 80%
Capacity to Learn 80%
Use an Integrated Design Environment (IDE) to program a microcontroller, this is the ‘brain’ and ‘nervous system’ of your robot
Sweet Indulgence is an insight into all things sweet that can be made in a kitchen. The course builds skills and confidence of potential future pastry chefs and develops creativity, artistic flare and business acumen. Pupils have made cakes/tarts, deserts, confectionery and chocolates which culminated in pupils choosing their favorite sweet treat to make and present for a published recipe book.
Communication 25%
Collaboration 75%
Creativity 75%
Capacity to Learn 40%
Sweet indulgence is a fun way to begin to explore food science and develop skills, whilst making some of your favorite sweet teats. It gives you the opportunity to collaborate, work in pairs, teams, be creative, design products, make packaging, learn to decorate and do food styling.
This course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of current cultural food trends and the cultural diversity of different types of ethnic foods. Practical skills are enhanced through various cooking activities which give opportunity to try many new dishes.
Communication 50%
Collaboration 75%
Creativity 75%
Capacity to Learn 40%
Come and take a culinary trip around the world! Think about different food trends, such as fast foods, healthy eating and organic eating. This course will give you the opportunity to make some of your favorite foods and some you may have never heard of before. You will work in teams, have individual challenges and make food. for events, as well as visiting farms and restaurants and having to opportunity to demonstrate your families cooking culture.
Pupils get an insight into the world of catering with the aim to develop high level practical skills, as well as interpersonal skills such as collaboration and creativity. They plan their own menu and dishes, record their own skills video and run a catered event. Lord’s Kitchen students frequently cater for school events and engage in authentic learning experiences that test and develop the skills needed to b successful in the catering industry.
Communication 50%
Collaboration 50%
Creativity 100%
Capacity to Learn 75%
Love cooking? Want to learn what it like to be chef? Then this course is for you! You will develop knife skills, learn how to butcher a chicken and fillet a fish, make homemade pasta and many other kitchen techniques. Then you get to to put all your new skills together to design your menus, produce your own skills (tasty) videos and run an event. You will also get experience working in the new Island School Industrial Training Kitchen
The aim of the course is to encourage students who have an interest in food and cooking to explore the Science behind food. This course will examine concepts from the physical science that underpin everyday cooking. Each week, students will use different recipes to investigate the fundamental chemistry behind food and cooking. At the end of the course, students will be able to explain how a range of cooking techniques and recipes work, in terms of the physical and chemical transformations of food.
Communication 50%
Collaboration 50%
Creativity 75%
Capacity to Learn 75%
Have you ever wondered why sticky rice is sticky? or what makes spicy food spicy? Why jelly is so wobbly or even why what happens to egg whites when you whip them? These are all questions that can be answered by science. By understanding chemical reactions that take place during cooking, you will begin to understand concepts that underpin everyday cooking. If you are a curious cook or just someone who enjoys investigations and finding out about food, then this course is for you. You will work with others to explore concepts from the physical sciences that underpin everyday cooking and modern gastronomy. You will also carry out investigations and experiment with a range of ingredients to explain how different cooking techniques and recipes work, in the physical and Chemical sense. You will also be given an opportunity to design and conduct your own scientific study and experiment of some recipe or aspect of cooking and contribute findings to the school science journal.
This course is suited for those who wish to pursue further study in a Fashion related or design related field and would be good preparation for the BTEC Art and Design pathway. It requires you to to build upon the skills, knowledge and understanding you have gained previously from “Textiles Theory & Practice – Textiles 1”
Communication 50%
Collaboration 25%
Creativity 100%
Capacity to Learn 75%
You will learn first hand how to draft simple patterns from which garments can be developed and made. You will explore the properties and characteristics of natural and synthetic fibers. You will refine your understanding and ability to select appropriate materials and components for garment construction. You will learn to use specialist equipment confidently and with accuracy. This course is vocational.
Communication 75%
Collaboration 50%
Creativity 100%
Capacity to Learn 50%
For students who have an interest in fashion and design who are thinking of taking BTEC Art and Design or IB visual Arts. It requires the student to extend their creativity skills though design processes, their Capacity to learn through acquired knowledge and understanding of construction, looking at theory and practice-in order to produce quality products.
This course of for those who want to “Take Art off the Wall” and onto the manikin. Increasingly, in recent years and worldwide, fashion has been given a platform in spaces where art is traditionally showcased. Museums now display fashion with as much consideration as they do art. This is suitable course for those students considering the BTEC Art and Design pathway.
Communication 100%
Collaboration 75%
Creativity 100%
Capacity to Learn 40%
If you have an interest in the Arts, fashion or an aspect of Jewellery design this course will enable you to pursue differing possibilities. The four “C”s which are primarily addressed by students are Capacity to learn- Being organised and able to direct their own learning. Being resilient- having the courage to take risks and understand that you need to learn from early mistakes to create anything new. Creative and Critical Thinking- Being curious about the changing role or the designer/artist and looking from new perspectives. Creative and Critical Thinking- Synthesising and linking ideas between things that are not usually connected, Being able to generate ideas using a range of appropriate strategies, being able to improve and refine ideas, being able to be imaginative in how ideas are realised Creating- Being able to select appropriate materials and be able to master technical skills that will enable you to produce a high level outcome which is innovative and original. This and an open mind are vital to the success that students will have. It will also enable a portfolio of design ideas and a range of practical outcomes to support their future Art career.
Fashion Forward raises awareness of sustainability issues within the Textile Industry and its global impact on the environment. Students work through design based problems taking an exploratory approach, addressing the growing need to recycle/reuse textile products. New marketable garments and accessories are designed and manufactured, developing students own sketching and drafting skills combined with modelling and draping in innovative and fun ways.
Communication 50%
Collaboration 75%
Creativity 90%
Capacity to Learn 25%
Hong Kong plays a central role in the Textile Industry and globally China is one of the largest producers of textile products. Consumers are demanding designers to address some of the growing concerns and as such our designer/manufactures of the future need to have an interest and an ability to be both ethical while maintaining a high level of creativity and marketability. The Fashion Forward course enables students to address these issues. They will communicate their ideas through a variety of media and demonstrate creativity, taking risks while being given the freedom to explore a wide range of practical outcomes.
An introductory course in stop motion animation. Students work in teams of 2-3 to produce a range of short animation films that build in complexity from simple skills exercises to where the students take full responsibility for identifying the purpose and audience for their animation.
Communication 100%
Collaboration 75%
Creativity 100%
Capacity to Learn 40%
Why study animation? Like all other Elements courses our Animation course is designed to teach you about the skills of Creativity, Communication and Collaboration. Studying animation is the perfect way to get students to engage with these skills in a very direct way. Working in groups to develop what are essentially communication pieces is a real challenge. What media will allow you create your ideas best? Is it best to work in 2 or 3D? How will you creatively get round the unforeseen problems you will inevitably encounter? The animation course is not just about making things move, it is about exploring the medium of animation for the value it has to communicate ideas and concepts. As such we animate for purpose. The beauty of animation as a medium is that you are restricted only by your imagination. Truly you can create magic. What greater opportunity for creativity can there be?
This course takes students through an introduction to programming principles using the mobile app design environment App Inventor. It assumes no previous programming knowledge but students with some programming experience will most likely be able to progress faster than total beginners. We will look at User Interface Design, User Experience Design and explore what is happening in the wider world of app development. Student will work towards self devised project s in the area of app design. They will pitch and prototype their ideas for socially useful apps. This is a great course for students who are interested in computing or design and maybe thinking of IB Design & Technology or IB Computing as part of their future pathway.
Communication 50%
Collaboration 75%
Creativity 75%
Capacity to Learn 75%
Programming presents students with interesting challenges. The logic of designing and constructing computer programs, and the approaches to problem solving required to trouble shoot and debug them when they don’t work, develop useful cross disciplinary skills. This course uses App Inventor – a free drag and drop type programming environment developed by MIT to teach students programming principles. From the first lesson you will design and build apps that can be used on Android devices. You will learn how to program common user interactions such as flicks, touch screens, buttons and list pickers and start to build apps with purpose. The concepts and knowledge built in this structured section of the course should prepare you to think of ideas for apps that you can then go on to try and develop for yourself working in small teams. The emphasis of this second section of the course is on independent learning and developing apps that serve a genuine need. .
Websites are created using a variety of tools and languages. Students who do this course will learn the basics of how to build websites using HTML , CSS , PHP and MySQL. For the creative among you you can learning how to create stunning looking web sites using CSS. For the more technically minded you can learn how to make interactive, data driven websites. This course is very suitable for those of you who are interested in careers related to computing and great preparation for taking IB computing.
Communication 60%
Collaboration 25%
Creativity 50%
Capacity to Learn 100%
Computers are the future. The Obama White House predicted that by 2020, there would be 1.4 million computer-science-related jobs available, and only about 400,000 computer science graduates who have the skills necessary to apply for those jobs. Learning coding is not only fun is provides skills that are will undoubtedly be in demand in the future. Regardless of your specific role, he believes learning to code “will vastly increase your potential in becoming a valuable asset at any organization.” Or, if you don’t have a job yet, it can be what helps you edge out the competition during the hiring process. Coding doesn’t restrict you to a career in tech: it enhances the career, skills, or interests you already have. Logic, problem solving, and organization are some of the cornerstones of programming, and practicing with code helps you exercise that “left” side of the brain.
IB D&T Pathway Courses
Architecture
Students learn about the basic concepts of architecture through a range of tasks, including research and presentation in groups, conceptualising ideas and model-making. They develop their own personal projects and design brief and apply their prior learning to their final outcomes (a digital portfolio and 3D model).
Communication 75%
Collaboration 50%
Creativity 100%
Capacity to Learn 50%
What we say...
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Architectural Design Elements Course
Students are well into their personal projects in the Architectural Design Elements Course. Here are some photographs of various […]
3D Product Design
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- Student blog 1
- Student blog 2
- Sudent blog 3
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Fun and games for final week of Elements
The final week of Semester 1’s 3D Product Design Elements course produced some fantastic 3D printed chess pieces and […]
Pallet upcycling project
This semester’s 3D Product designers were asked to make bat boxes for several of the ESF primary schools and […]
Mr P’s wild Woodshop
Elements 3D designers were busy bees today, stepping back in time to develop some traditional woodworking and joinery skills. […]
3D Product Designers work with CAD/CAM
This semester’s 3D Product design students have been learning how to design and manufacture products using CAD/CAM technologies. From […]
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How Stuff Works
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New course for 2017!!
- Student blog 1
- Student blog 2
- Student blog 3
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New course for 2017!!
Robotics
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Design test and evaluate electronic software, hardware and mechanisms to solve exciting design challenges. These may include fire fighting, disco dancing, mine rescue, mars rover, and sub aqua exploration.
Write the code to define the behaviour of your bot , how does it react to it’s environment? Bring your robot to life.
Explore the many different ways that your robot can move through its environment, roll, walk, jump, wriggle, slide…..
What the students say...
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Year 12 DT students visit IFI(HK)
The Year 12 IB Design Technology class visited IFI(HK) to investigate […]
Year 12 IB DP DT visit to Innovation First
On Friday 15 April the Year 12 Design Technology class visited Innovation First in TST East. The purpose of […]
2016 Robo Soccer Challenge
Megan Man and Ida Tsui competed in the 2016 Robo Challenge Cup at Wan Chai Exhibition Centre on Saturday […]
First robots built
Wouter, Chris and Chase have built their first simple robot today
Fabulous Student Work
IB Food and BTEC Hospitality Pathway Courses
Sweet Indulgence
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SweetingzHk wins Sweet Indulgence bakery Business proposal
Well done to the girls in team Sweet Indulgence bakery Business proposal in the Elements course. the students had been […]
Festive Chocolate Truffles by Sweet Indulgence
The Y10 Sweet Indulgence students were getting festive today, making a variety of different flavours chocolate truffles to sell […]
Shortcrust pastry week – Star bakers (Vivian, Sam, Anna and Sophie)
Shortcrust pastry is probably the trickiest of the skill weeks in Sweet indulgence Elements and this time it has […]
Sweet Indulgence and Through the eye of a lens Collaboration
Today was a great way to get back into, life at Island school after the recent disruption, with two […]
Fabulous Student Work
Food Lovers Guide
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Food careers
Great website, if you are interested in a career in the food industry https://tastycareers.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0h5zxBoW7U7wDWAP64LTBYFiY6LVHaoEZSgc8p6Cp0lgT7JQro4pLeEVY
A day out at the Farm
Food lovers guide to culture and sweet indulgence students took a […]
Food lovers Guide to Culture World Food Fest
30th May was a big day on the calendar for the elements course Food lovers Guide to Culture. It […]
Thai green Curry with Chef Ris
Today we had a visiting Chef teach students how to make authentic Thai green curry. Students were shown how […]
Fabulous Student Work
Lord's Kitchen
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Lord’s Kitchen Signature dishes – Chefs of the week (Ethan and Jonathon)
This week was the penultimate lesson to the lords kitchen Elements and student had designed their own restaurant menu […]
Lords Kitchen Pop up restaurant -Festive sandwiches
Well done to the Y10 Lords kitchen students who collocated excellently to sell over 50 festive sandwiches, consisting of […]
Homemade Pasta – Chefs of the Week (Henry and Ethan)
the students in Lords Kitchen this week in making homemade pasta, getting a real workout in process mixing and […]
Lords Kitchenh Seafood week – Chefs of the Week Henry, Ashley and Andrea
This time the Seafood week in Lord’s kitchen was probably the best ever, with the studenst excelling in both […]
Scientist in the Kitchen
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Collaboration: You can take on different roles in a group,depending on need. You can see what roles are required for a particular task. You can support others in their role without encroaching on their roles. You understand that the goal is for the team not the individual.
Creativity: Being open minded and experimental in their approach to food. Be able to generate ideas that are different and original. Connect and associate science to their everyday interaction with food.
Capacity to Learn: Being able to organise and manage planning and conducting scientific studies. Then reflecting and evaluating on results and directing own learning by using gained knowledge to design new recipes.
Communication: You can choose and use an appropriate form of communication whether written (writing blogs) verbal (1to1/class/group discussions) or technology based (preparing media on your investigation).
What the students say...
Student blogs from this course
New course for 2017
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Fabulous Student Work
Latest posts about this course
Fabulous Student Work
IB Art BTEC Art & Design Pathway Courses
Garment Construction & Design
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You will use the design principles as a foundation for your own work. You will create your own Design Briefs from which to generate your own ideas. Your prior experience will enable you to prepare and modify commercial patterns in order to design and construct garments of a more complex nature. You will independently resource materials and components for your own work and practical outcomes will be supported with design sheets and sketchbook pages.
The four “C”‘s covered in this course are Capacity to learn- being organised in your own learning and able to make excellent use of the resources available to you. Being resilient learning by doing, reflecting and refining to produce your final piece.
Creative and Critical Thinking- Knowing your place as a designer and being true to your vision and principles. Creating and Producing a quality product which is “well made” and “fit for purpose” and being able to present your ideas to an audience.
What the students say...
New course for 2017
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New course for 2017
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Textiles Theory and Practice
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New course for 2017
Student blogs from this course
New course for 2017
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Fabulous Student Work
Wearable Art
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Elements week 2 “Wearable Art”
Today we are fortunate to have Alanna Emmerton run an exciting workshop with the students- she is also an […]
Elements – Wearable Art
This was the first lesson where the students were given plastic / paper /the use of a sewing machine […]
Wearable Art Elements Ongoing
On the 18th of June the students studying the Wearable Art textiles Elements course will display their work in […]
Elements Wearable Art
Working on a medium scale piece based on a selected area of HongKong. Different media used from knit […]
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Fashion Forward
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Fashion Forward
Our new cohort of students for the “Fashion Forward” Elements course in action draping existing garments in creative and […]
Elements
Noemi 11D also being interviewed by ESF about her garment for Anaia from her Fashion Forward Elements course
Designer of the Week
Riya can you tell me about your laptop sleeve? My laptop sleeve is designed […]
Elements
Natasha from 10w being interviewed about her design for the Anaia Fashion show
Fabulous Student Work
Stop Motion Animation
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Claymation Workshop
This week the Elements animators has a big step up in their ambition. They went from 2d to 3d […]
Animators Get Going with their First Character Animation
For the last few weeks the Elements animators have been building up their skills and understanding of animation practicing […]
2017 Elements Animators Get to Work with Ink and Brush
After significant disruption to the start of the Elements year thanks to 2 typhoons the Elements animators finally got […]
Animators Get Going on Personal Projects
The Elements animators have spent the last few weeks thinking about communication and how to originate a piece of […]
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IB Computer Science Pathway Courses
Mobile App Design
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Mobile App Designers Present their Ideas
The app design students have been looking at design for 2-4 year olds as an exercise in considering user […]
Dawn of a new age – introducing the App Design Gamalan Orchestra
In a moment of inspired silliness the app design students made a simple, fun app that turned their mobile […]
User centred design workshop with David work and from grayscale
We were very lucky to have a workshop on user centric design organised by David Wieland of Grayscale […]
Speed dating app pitches
here the mobile apps students are pitching their app ideas to each other in a speed dating forum. Each […]
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Programming for Internet
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