Student Knowledge Building Design Studio (sKBDS) 2025: Sustaining Idea-Centric Learning in Action
From 13 to 15 October 2025, the Student Knowledge Building Design Studio (sKBDS) brought together 30 primary school students from four schools: Pioneer Primary, St Hilda’s Primary, Fairfield Methodist Primary and Oasis Primary. Across three days of exploration, collaboration and idea development, students engaged in the processes of Knowledge Building to inquire into real-world challenges and design sustainable solutions. Under the guidance of Mr Andy, the event created a stimulating environment that encouraged curiosity, creativity and collective responsibility. This latest iteration continues a long-standing effort to grow idea-centered learning communities and advance knowledge creation in schools.
Day 1: Building Curiosity through Observation and Connection with Nature
Students began their learning journey at Yunnan Gardens, exploring the theme “City in Nature.” Through a guided walk, they observed the rich biodiversity of the Gardens and examined how the space was designed to blend natural beauty with human creativity. The walk helped students appreciate the intricate relationships between flora and fauna, and how thoughtful design can sustain ecological balance in urban environments. A surprise visit from a family of otters added excitement and prompted reflection on how wildlife coexists with people in shared spaces. This experience embodied the principle of real ideas and authentic problems, encouraging students to see the natural world as a source of inquiry and inspiration.
Day 2: From Individual Curiosity to Collective Knowledge Building
Back in the Design Studio, students worked together to generate, refine and extend their ideas. They took part in Stay and Stray gallery walks and Journey of Thinking reflections, which allowed them to share perspectives, make connections and strengthen their reasoning. Guided by Knowledge Building scaffolds such as “My idea is” and “This idea cannot explain,” students practiced questioning, evaluating and improving their peers’ ideas. Teachers from the participating schools were also invited to observe the sessions to understand how Knowledge Building principles can be applied in their own classrooms. The day reflected the principles of epistemic agency and improvable ideas, as students took increasing responsibility for advancing shared understanding within their learning community.
Day 3: The Kids’ Conference – Sharing Ideas and Insights as a Community
The final day culminated in a Kids’ Conference, that took place at the Amphitheatre in the National Institute of Education (NIE). Students presented their artefacts, ideas and findings in a mass sharing session that brought together teachers, peers and parents. Each group showcased how their ideas had evolved through inquiry, reflection and collaboration. The atmosphere reflected the principles of community knowledge and collective responsibility, as students engaged with feedback, celebrated one another’s thinking and demonstrated how ideas can grow when shared within a supportive community. The involvement of parents and educators added a rich dimension to the event, showing that knowledge advancement is strengthened when learning communities extend beyond the classroom.
Sustaining Innovation through Iterative Design
The Knowledge Building Design Studio continues to serve as a platform for deep inquiry, collaboration and innovation in education. Each new iteration contributes to a growing understanding of how students can rise above their initial conceptions, develop improvable ideas and engage meaningfully in the creation of community knowledge.
This final design studio of 2025 reaffirmed that Knowledge Building thrives not through the pursuit of correct answers, but through the shared journey of seeking better explanations, new connections and improved understanding. The reflections, conversations and artefacts produced during these three days exemplify how knowledge creation is a collective human pursuit that begins with curiosity and grows through community. These insights gained this year will continue to guide our evolving practices as we work toward deeper inquiry and more robust knowledge creation in the years ahead.