Elen Macarthur Foundation

The Teardown Lab roadshow reached Archbishop Holgate School, in York, on Wednesday 5 December. Over 50 D&T teachers, designers and architects spent the evening looking at the important role of design in the transition to a circular economy by dismantling old mobile phones, keyboards, routers, digital cameras and other electrical equipment and exploring how they could be redesigned within a circular system.

Led by Ellen and Steve Parkinson (Dyson D&T teacher of the year 2011) participants took part in a series of hands-on activities and discussions in a unique opportunity for D&T teachers, architects and designers to meet, networks and discuss the opportunities of the circular economy.

The Foundation is dedicated to creating an interface between education and business as an integral part of the shift to a circular economy. Teardown Lab forms part of a series of projects run by the Foundation to achieve this goal.

The energy in the room was extraordinary during our teardown lab last night. After 3 hours the designers and teachers present were coming up with surprisingly tangible ideas around how design in the context of a circular economy could play an important role for growth. It really was a brilliant evening, thanks Archbishop Holgate School for a brilliant venue, wonderful hospitality and a great facilitator in your fantastic D&T teacher Steve Parkinson.

Ellen MacArthur in York

Archbishop Holgate School is one of six Foundation Pathfinder Schools around the UK. On Tuesday 11 December 2012 the Teardown team will be at another Pathfinder School, Skinners’ School, in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

If you can’t make it to one of our Teardown Labs, why not run one of your own? Download the pack of resources below:

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