| From 2006-2016, the BHS Innovation Fund invested more than $110,000 to launch Engineering By Design and Engineering Innovation & Design. What began as faculty-led pilots is now a sustained Engineering & Technical Pathway. Read on to learn more about how the Fund’s early investment has resulted in a lasting part of the BHS curriculum. |
Dear Friends of the BHS Innovation Fund,Engineering By Design and Engineering Innovation & Design are two hands-on courses at Brookline High School that were originally launched with support from the BHS Innovation Fund. Taught by engineering educator Aubrey Love, the courses introduce students to the fundamentals of engineering design through collaborative, project-based learning. In Engineering By Design, students work in teams to research, model, and prototype solutions to design challenges while building skills in ideation, project management, and iterative problem solving. The advanced course, Engineering Innovation & Design, builds on this foundation by challenging students to tackle real-world design problems in a collaborative engineering lab. In this space, students use tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC routers to build physical prototypes that combine functionality with thoughtful design. What makes these courses distinctive is their emphasis on collaboration and human-centered design. Students are not only asked to solve technical problems but also to consider the people who will interact with what they create. Questions about comfort, usability, and emotional response become part of the design process. The classes intentionally bring together students from different academic pathways, including science, art, and technology. These varied perspectives allow students to learn from one another while developing solutions that balance creativity, form, and function. The classroom environment encourages experimentation, revision, and reflection so that students experience the same iterative design process used by engineers and designers in the real world. One recent project asked students to design and construct cardboard chairs, pushing them to think carefully about structure, ergonomics, and visual impact. Ryan Beach and his partner designed a chair inspired by an art museum. Their goal was to create seating that was visually interesting like an exhibit but intentionally uncomfortable for long periods of time so visitors would get up and continue exploring the museum. Kai Putney designed a lounge-style chair meant to wrap around the user without reclining, focusing on comfort, smooth design, and how the body interacts with the structure. Elana Braun-Jones and Becky Winickoff created a chair inspired by bubbles and childhood nostalgia. By experimenting with tightly rolled cardboard that could bounce back slightly, they built a playful rocking chair design that combined movement, structural engineering, and visual creativity. |
| Erica O’MahonyBHS Innovation Fund Program LiaisonMARK YOUR CALENDARS: Rising 9th Grade Parents Reception with Anthony Meyer. Thursday, April 9, 2026. 7PM. REGISTER 5K Walk/Run for Innovation. Sunday, May 3. Details to follow. Justice Fair. Justice in Action Student Showcase. Thursday, May 21, 2026. 6PM at 22 Tappan Street. No registration required. |