A Message from Thibaut Descoeudres, Director of St. George’s Summer Camp
Welcome to the latest edition of our camp magazine, dedicated to the remarkable STEAM program at St. George’s Summer Camp. As the director, I am incredibly proud of everything we are achieving together. Our STEAM program, which encompasses Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, stands as a testament to our ongoing commitment to progress and the continuous development of our activities.
The essence of our camp is innovation and growth, and nowhere is this more evident than in our STEAM initiatives. This program is the brainchild of our ever-inventive Jan, who never runs out of ideas. His relentless drive to enhance our offerings ensures that our campers are always engaged in cutting-edge educational experiences that blend fun and learning seamlessly. Jan’s visionary approach keeps our program dynamic and forward-thinking, making it one of the highlights of our camp.
As the director, my pride extends to the exceptional quality and dedication of our teaching staff. Our educators are the backbone of the camp, bringing a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm to their roles. Their commitment to providing an enriching and supportive environment for our campers is truly commendable. They go above and beyond to ensure that each child is not only learning but also developing a genuine passion for STEAM subjects.
The energy that the children bring to the camp is equally inspiring. Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and eagerness to explore new concepts are what drive us to continually enhance our programs. Seeing their eyes light up during a science experiment, their excitement in tackling a new technology project, or their pride in creating an artistic masterpiece is immensely rewarding. The campers’ vibrant energy and zest for learning are the heartbeat of our camp.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making our STEAM program a success. To our educators, your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. To the campers, your enthusiasm and engagement are what make our efforts worthwhile. Together, we are building a community of young minds that are not only equipped with knowledge but also the creativity and critical thinking skills needed for the future.
Here’s to another fantastic summer of learning, exploration, and fun. Bravo to all, and let’s continue to reach for the stars!
Warm regards,
Thibaut Descoeudres Director, St. George’s Summer Camp
Turning the school into a lab.
The last 6 years Addictlab has been involved in organising and rolling out the STEAM activities at the St George’s International School during the Summer Camps in July and August. STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, but I tend to believe we go beyond that.
Our SDGFabLab at the University of Geneva serves as a research center to build a holistic vision on education. The concept of mixing creative disciplines has been my field of interest for the last 27 years, combing art, fashion, design, technology, sustainability, engineering and more.
So we have turned the school into a lab, with over 10 locations with different disciplines and trained facilitators. The art room, the VR room, the computing lab, the WASTE lab, the robotics room, the chemistry lab: it’s all part of a plan to inspire and teach a lot of children from different cultures and backgrounds.
Organisation
How do you do this? We need a truly talented team. And an innovative lesson plan combining tradional tools and state of the art devices.
And boxes. Lots of boxes. Because behind this all is a modular and mobile creative lab concept: at Addictlab we now have about 150 boxes with different techniques, tools, machines and devices.
All of them tested, not just for one student but to be appropriate for bigger numbers. All is organised in a database, linked to another database of activities we can do with those tools, in line with the SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDGZINE.ORG is an initiative from Jan Van Mol, the ADDICTLAB ACADEMY and partners contributing to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
Documentation is key.
There is just no discussion: the Sustainable Development Goals need all our attention. We want your kids to be ambassadors for a sustainable future. That’s why our activities are in line with and based on the SDGs.
As part of our educational model, we create magazines. To document best practices, to highlight great ideas, to pass on knowledge. The SDGs have added an important navigation system both through addictlab’s lesson plans as through this SDGzine.
A remarkable editorial room.
The covid egg, a sitting object that has been installed in the school’s theater, serves as our editorial room. It’s a proof of digital fabrication we can do in a lab like ours. And it’s also a way to showcase the SDGzine to a larger audience.
Your children.
But it’s all about your kids, to be frankly. How can we accelerate their talent? How can we prepare them for the future, and let them build that future sustainably?
We bring so many different experiences and boxes, that I am sure that all kids will find something that triggers them personnally. That’s our Steam team’s mission.
I am very proud to present you this special edition of the SDGzine, as it’s proof of your kids talents. Sometimes their talent is clear, in full sight. Sometimes it’s hidden. Let’s make sure together it doesn’t stay unlocked.
Jan Van Mol Founder Addictlab publisher SDGzine
janvanmol@sdgzine.org
Cover Image picture by Jane
Editorial board
This magazine was created with the help of students from the 3 Summer Camp Sessions. They participated in writing, taking pictures, selecting art work.
The 2024 STEAM TEAM / session 1
Niki M Panagiota H
Jane
Certified CELTA and CELTYL teacher based in France. Been teaching English for 15 years and delighted to be in the STEAM team again this year at St. George’s International School summer camp.
Dedicated professional at Addictlab in Geneva, a creative research platform and laboratory that fosters innovation through multidisciplinary collaboration. With a keen interest in SDGs.
Passionate about cuisine and wine. Autodidactic artist and crafter.
Panos
My name is Panos, and I am 25 years old from Greece. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching educational robotics in Greece for the past six years. In addition to my passion for robotics, I have a strong enthusiasm for sports, particularly rowing, where I have achieved significant success as an athlete over many years. After retiring from competitive rowing, I pursued and obtained a coaching degree, subsequently spending three years as a rowing coach at my club’s academies. My hobbies include traveling, engaging in extreme sports, creating with Lego, and enjoying cinema.
contact info@sdgzine.org
publisher Jan Van Mol
Welcome Day
Months of preparation went ahead of that first Sunday, to make sure that on Welcome Day, both parents and students feel excited, and relieved. For the parents to leave their kids in an inspiring and controlled environment. For the kids to start a journey of discovery and camaraderie, paving the way to new friendships and learning subjects.
Changing the school into a lab
Not one location for STEAM..., but 10 dedicated spots. Every morning we meet in the Assembly hall, after which all groups go to their respective lab spaces for the day with one of the trained facilitators.
All STEAM activities linked to the SDGS
Addictlab is running the SDG Fablab in the SDG Solution Space. All activities are linked to create awareness, educate or even hand over solutions on the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations
Profiling: We know what we teach, but do we know who we raise?
The Creative Chemistry Table was created 26 years ago by Jan Van Mol when he founded Ad!dict Creative Lab. The aim is to merge creative disciplines, to be inspired by other fields and cultures, and obtain more depth in the creation process.
Through the years leading up til now, Ad!dict Creative Lab or short addictlab, has conducted a large amount of brainstorming sessions, published over 35 books or magazines, and set up ideation processes for companies and organisations from Thalys trains, Lexus, Diesel, the chocolate and design industries, to governments and cities as well as institutions such as the University of Geneva.
Today, the Creative Chemistry table consists of 145 disciplines or human ‘capabilities’, 76 character cards, the 17 sustainable development goals and more. This card set is a concrete package from a proven methodology to allow groups of people and individuals to think out of the box. It’s a unique tool for collective intelligence.
All students of the Summer Camp use these cards to profile themselves. What do they like? How do they see their future? What is important to them personally?
3 boxes.
1. Creative Chemistry cards.
About 145 creative disciplines. Divided into 14 categories, these are fields where we can be creative in. From photography to medicine, from tattoo to government. Categories go from Public Sphere, over Communication to Critical Thinking.
2. Character & profiling cards.
About 50 character cards based on the IB profile (International Baccalaureat). Cards on a person’s character and learner. ‘I am curious’, ‘I like to share’ and more.
3. Sustainable Development Goals cards.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals as defined by the United Nations for 2030. We added 3 cards for an easy visualisation of the impact you create while designing or having ideas: how will your idea create a positive or negative impact on each of the 17 SDGs? And how can you adapt that idea?
More cards.
Emotion cards.
8 basic emotions cards. Evident to use for personal profiling , but also because our ideas or ideation capabilities will be influenced by current, past or future emotions.
Gender cards.
To allow diverse gender profiling we added ‘male’, ‘female’ and ‘other’ genders.
Senses.
5 senses cards adding all 5 senses for future use.
IP Cards.
Currently, the Addictlab Academy is joining forces with WIPO (world intelectual property organisation) to add IP protection, patents and help to protect your ideas to the card set.
Group work: Create a Stop Motion Movie on one
of
the Sustainable Development goals
Coding: Introduction to Microbit and AI
Understanding electric circuits and motors.
Coding & Robotics: build & program
Building (1)
Solar powered car
Building (2)
Mechanical
constructions
3D Printing
Art: Cyanotype & printing
Recycled Cardboard lab
Visit CERN
Build a Chain Reaction Machine
ST GEORGES SUMMER
Mail info@sdgzine.org for more information or questions.
