Manual of Modern Making

In order to achieve these aims, the project has the following objectives: 

1. To equip teachers with the knowledge, motivation and skills to use digital fabrication technologies to support pupils’ learning, working creatively with external partners where appropriate.

2. To link teachers and schools to wider networks of knowledge and expertise, including other RSAA Academies, external partners (including designers, makers and industry) and key local suppliers of relevant technologies

3. To work with teachers to create a digital design and fabrication curriculum and classroom resources that encourage innovative new thinking and projects by schools and pupils.

4. To create effective models for schools to access emerging digital fabrication tools, sharing physical access and knowledge between schools where possible, to ensure that resources are shared and procurement decisions are wise.

5. To develop a knowledge mobilisation strategy so that the learning from this project can influence the practice of many other schools, as well as D and T policy. 

We aim to create a rigorous conceptual framework to underpin this project. The framework and content will evolve throughout the project, helped by the RSA, its Fellows, the Comino network and the wider design, manufacturing and making networks – and of course the RSA Academies and young people themselves.

This framework will be the basis of a 21^st century digital fabrication curriculum, which we have called a Manual of Modern Making. Our hope is that as a “Manual”, it can contain a conceptual curriculum with core learning concepts, and also practical hands on instructional materials to help individual schools and students realise ambitious projects to meet the curriculum.