Through a generous grant given by the Carlisle Education Foundation (CEF), the visual art department was able to attend the 2015 National Art Educators Convention in New Orleans, LA. The topic of this year’s convention was “The Art of Design: Form, Function, and the Future of Visual Arts Education”. Courtney Longaker and Rachel Levy attended the convention’s numerous guest speakers, lectures and hands-on workshops, and took away many new and innovative ideas highlighting the intrinsic connection between art and design.
Integration of design thinking in the art room engages the student in problem solving and collaboration. It encourages the student to observe, develop and envision, express and explore, persist, revise and reflect.

When the teacher creates lessons that develop these skills the art student can gain confidence and will be less afraid of failing. The design process enables students to embrace opportunities to learn from mistakes and accidents. These skills also help the student to focus, commit and follow through with an idea.

In the fall, Levy and Longaker will teach, “Developing 21st Century Critical Thinking Skills and Problem Solving Strategies Through Visual Art”, extending and connecting their knowledge of design thinking to other faculty and subject areas. – Submitted by Courtney Longaker