Education award for innovative programme
An initiative that put regular teaching timetables on hold so students could explore fresh ways to learn has been praised by marketing experts.
The University’s Innovative Learning Week – which offered events on campus and in the community – was voted Education Event of the Year at The Drum Scottish Event Awards.
Creative learning
Its theme was Ideas in Play. Highlights included a workshop on how to develop a board game, a chance to create artworks using chemical processes and an event aimed at improving a primary school playground
Students were also challenged to create their own sustainable concrete mix, given the chance to build a kaleidoscope and undergo a quick fire introduction to Chinese names.
Other attractions included an Edinburgh version of The Apprentice, which attracted 250 student entrants, and a 35-mile cycling trip to find out about the geology of Edinburgh and Midlothian.
New festival
Some 300 staff and students worked together to create events, which were attended by more than 5000 people. Much of the programme, held in February, was open to the wider public.
Organisers are building on the initiative’s success with a new Festival of Creative Learning. Activities will run throughout the academic year and with a week-long series of events taking place next February.
We are delighted to win the award, which recognises the creativity and strong sense of community that exists within the University and is evident in its many ties with organisations across the city.