VIRTUAL: Applying Education

Abstract

Bronwen’s Wish is a collaborative project between the BSc Architecture students at the University of Trinity St David (UWTSD) and the BA (Hons) Graphic Communication students at the University of South Wales (USW). The project is enabled by funding from both partner institutions’ Collaborative Growth Fund. Bronwen’s Wish is a charitable organization founded in 2020 devoted to making the world better for those less fortunate. The Trust currently has funding to construct an environmental classroom and wellness space at the Lakeside School in Cardiff. The BSc (Hons) Architecture students at UWTSD will design a wellness center, utilizing the fundamental principles of structure, material properties, environmental comfort and building physics in the design. The BA (Hons) Graphic Communication students at USW will produce a campaign to raise awareness about mental illness and promote the wellness center. It is intended that both branches of the project will work to achieve sustainable and socially responsible designs in keeping with both institutions’ commitment to achieving a zero-carbon target by 2030 and producing socially ethical graduates. The project aims to encourage investigation, active learning by discovery and authentic science based on problem-solving tasks related to each discipline. It also seeks to enhance the student learning experience and improve cognitive, social, and transferable skills necessary for today’s polymath designers. Furthermore, the project promotes outreach by allowing students to work with children and teachers. The students’ work may be used for the final design and promotion of the center. The project encourages a type of learning that connects meaningful experiences with academic learning.