This week saw the culmination of Mapping Interfaces 2017, Dr Stephanie Koerner’s research programme investigating innovative ancient civilisations.
Over the course of 5 weeks, Dr Koerner has enthused the students by sharing her decades of research findings and setting challenging group projects designed to draw out higher order critical thinking skills, which are sure to enhance their employability prospects.
The theme running through all the projects was ‘innovation’ and how ancient people worked collaboratively or individually to improve their chances of survival initially and later develop advanced civilisations.
An earlier visit to University of Manchester's Archaeology laboratory allowed the Key Stage 3 students to look at how people in the Stone Age developed tools. They then also investigated how mass production of tiles occurred in the Medieval Period.
The final session allowed the pupils to collaborate and deliver presentations based on their group research. Dr Koerner’s colleague, Dr Jonathan Bridge delivered an insightful presentation on the Thames Tideway project, subtitled London’s Super Sewer, illustrating how lessons from history can help tackle today’s environmental problems.
Dr Bridge’s talk flagged up the relevance of the Mapping Interfaces programme in developing research skills, resilience, problem solving, independent research and collaboration.
Steve Leach
Careers Advisor