Community-Engaged Design – Collaborations with Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association provides students with in-depth opportunities to explore and apply community-engaged design practices through a collaborative partnership with the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA). This course is structured for students to critically examine the principles and frameworks of community-engaged design, gaining experience in applying these concepts to the co-creation of interactive and educational design interventions. A key objective of the course is to cultivate a nuanced appreciation for biodiversity, biocultural diversity, and sustainability, emphasizing the role of design in fostering inclusive and meaningful engagement with these themes. Through this work, students will also develop skills in exhibit and interactive design, as well as enhance their project management and collaborative competencies through ongoing engagement with a non-profit organization.
The course curriculum introduces students to foundational concepts in community-engaged public science education situated within a botanical garden setting. It includes an overview of place-based and land-based learning approaches and draws on case studies of successful science outreach initiatives. A field trip to the VBGA will serve as an immersive experience to contextualize the organization's mission, vision, alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and its educational and community programming. Students will conduct user research in botanical and museum contexts to understand visitor behaviors and needs, and engage in design research focused on user experience, storytelling, inclusive design, and culturally responsible science communication.
Throughout the term, students will engage in iterative design processes, co-developing interactive installations and exhibit concepts in collaboration with VBGA staff and community participants. The course includes opportunities for midterm project development focused on countering misinformation and disinformation, as well as the production of a final design project. Students will receive formative feedback from both the faculty and community partners throughout the course.
The final deliverable will consist of a design solution aimed at enhancing visitor engagement at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Project outcomes may include interactive exhibits, digital applications, or educational installations that are aligned with the strategic goals of the VBGA and responsive to visitor needs. Final evaluations will be conducted collaboratively with VBGA and community stakeholders, with an emphasis on the project's potential impact on public science education outreach.
Outstanding final projects may be selected for virtual co-presentation at the 2026 Science and Technology Awareness Network (STAN) international conference. Additionally, depending on project quality and funding availability, select students may be offered internship opportunities with VBGA to support the continued development and implementation of their exhibit concepts.
- Teacher: Poh Tan