XENIA DANOS PhD

Join Educational expert Dr. Xenia Danos for an innovative Mini Kite Making Workshop.

 

 

Kite Teams (1 adult and 1 child) will work together to create their very own Mini 3-Dimensional Kites. You will find out about the science behind how a kite can fly, then learn how to design, make and decorate a Mini Kite.

 

Xenia has been a teacher in the UK, a lecturer in Cyprus and is now a researcher focusing on ’Creativity’, ’Innovation’ and ’Visual Intelligence’.  This workshop is inspired by the research of Japanese scientists conducted on a NASA project, demonstrating that “any shaped kite can fly”, which has been adapted and simplified for use in schools.

 

After your adult and child team has created your very own mini-kite, you can enjoy flying them while taking photos and videos which can be later sent to you electronically. Light refreshments will be available during the workshop. Please bring along an old shirt or apron. Please note a packed lunch is not included in the price. Suitable for all adults and children aged 3+. Groups available for children aged 3-5, 6-12, 13 - 17+.

 

 

 

Duration

3 hours  (including breaks)

 

Price

 €30 per Kite Team (1 adult and 1 child).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xenia explains:

 

“The Mini-Kite Workshop is designed to encourage creativity and experimentation; giving you the freedom to express yourself through making.

Using everyday objects such as plastic bags, card and paper, we will play with the properties of these materials to create three-dimensional shapes - while following the ‘rules of physics’ as they apply on kite flying. The final outcome will be a unique object which sparks into life once it is given movement through the air.

I believe everyone is extraordinary, which is what makes working with humans such a colourful and exciting experience. In our educational system at the moment, we teach children how to follow ‘main stream education’ leading to ‘main stream professionalism’. Through this process however, we often see that individuality is suppressed, those very special aspects of our characters which makes us who we are. The traditional teaching methods in schools often suit a percentage of students, some struggle but still make it, and a percentage of students can’t seem to fit in those moulds.

My experience has taught me to work towards identifying the features within each person’s character and way of thinking, brightening and enhancing those through individualised techniques. Once this is done, you can then step back and marvel at the magical transformation of the individual, like a black and white photo of still waters which suddenly gain colour and movement. The realisation then sets it, that nothing is impossible, there is always a way, life can be fun and exciting - while working in a positive way to enhance your skills and progress towards creating your own future.

This transformation can take place at any moment in our lives… the older we are, the more difficult it might be to allow ourselves to explore, find it and accept it, but the easier it can be to hold on to it once we find it! The younger we are, the more we tend to live our lives through this colourful lens but the easier it might be to be forced to ‘let go of it’. This workshop can be altered to suit all levels of education, from pre-school to university and beyond. Creativity is an inherent ability; life sometimes makes us neglect that. This workshop provides one step towards discovering the uniqueness of yourself and reminding us how fun and yet simple life can be.”