Within the context of World Creativity and Innovation Week, during these days the Malta Crafts Foundation welcomed students from Stella Maris College in Gżira; St Benedict College, Helen Keller Resource Centre in Qrendi; and St Ignatius College, Ħandaq Middle School in Qormi, who got a little creative by participating in pottery workshops held at the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village.
Students from the St Ignatius College, Ħandaq Middle School in Qormi – which has now been renamed the St Ignatius College, Prof. Edward de Bono, Tal-Ħandaq Middle School in memory of the late Maltese physician who came up with the term “lateral thinking” and the concept of the “Six Thinking Hats” – took part in a creative workshop held in collaboration between the Malta Crafts Foundation and the Edward Debono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation within the University of Malta.
During the session, the director of the Institute Dr Margaret Mangion briefed students about the SCAMPER creative thinking tool, which helps its users to structure their thinking in a way that facilitates coming up with innovative product solutions. To give them some practice using the tool the students were introduced to a local weaver, Antoine Vella, who explained the process of weaving and the carpets he makes, even allowing the students to try their hands at the loom. They were then asked to use the SCAMPER tool to come up with new product ideas for the weaver.
While at the school, the Malta Crafts Foundation also took the opportunity to speak to students about its participation in the “NEXT – Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The future of Europe” project, highlighting opportunities within the artisan sector that youths can avail themselves of.