Designing a Garden Bench
During this project-based learning unit, students participate in the design process to identify and solve a real-world problem at their school – designing and building a garden bench for Drew Charter School’s TinkerYard. Students begin the unit by determining the resources needed, interviewing a master gardener, and researching details about garden benches. Then, with the help of a teaching artist, students use perspective drawing to sketch ideas for the garden bench. The unit concludes with students synthesizing drawings from the various groups, constructing the garden bench, and blending the bench with its surroundings.
Designing a Garden Bench
During this project-based learning unit, students participate in the design process to identify and solve a real-world problem at their school – designing and building a garden bench for Drew Charter School’s TinkerYard. Students begin the unit by determining the resources needed, interviewing a master gardener, and researching details about garden benches. Then, with the help of a teaching artist, students use perspective drawing to sketch ideas for the garden bench. The unit concludes with students synthesizing drawings from the various groups, constructing the garden bench, and blending the bench with its surroundings.
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About the Teacher
Courtney Bryant and Jeff Mather
Drew Charter School
Courtney Bryant is currently a K – 5th grade Engineering and Design teacher at Drew Charter School in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Bryant holds a Bachelor’s in Art Education from Case Western Reserve University and a Master’s in Art Education from Maryland Institute College of Art. She was the Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year in 2011 and the Elementary Winner for the Technology Association of Georgia’s STEM Awards in 2015. She serves as the department chair and a member of the school leadership team.
