Craftspace

The Ishango Science Club is a vibrant out of school organisation, committed to raising the educational achievements of young African Caribbean people. The thirteen boys and three girls in year seven attend different schools across Birmingham.

Jeweller Will Evans worked with this class of gifted and talented pupils to discover the value craft making can bring to traditional science and maths lessons.

“I observed pupils showing understanding of some very difficult concepts of scale and ratio because of the practical and engaging approach taken within the workshop sessions”

Alison Gove-Humphries, School Improvement Adviser, Birmingham City Council School Effectiveness Division

"Craftspace have this hands on approach, the drawing, the making, designing, hammering and sawing. It is all really exciting.”

Jerome Watson, Teacher & Trustee Birmingham Ishango Science Club

Making and overcoming errors is part of the craft process. It develops problem solving skills, enabling deeper understanding and greater self-confidence.

“I made a mistake. I heated a piece of silver until it melted into a ball. I showed it to Will and he told me that I had discovered a technique.”

Roel

“It’s a long wait. You know how you like to get on with the thing you want to do? That’s how I feel in a way. But I don’t mind waiting because I know gradually that I will be able to do it, I can make my design and I will be proud of my design.”

L’marre