This year's themes are recreational vehicles, cycle and sports accessories, water play, portable seating, and communication devices. Last year, over 160 high school students from Ontario, New Brunswick, Alberta and Ontario entered the competition, and this year many more entries are expected. What began as a 'shop' course related to trades like plumbing, expanded to include computers in the late 1980's. Now it's mushroomed into a broad-based technical program. Meanwhile, the work of Carleton students displayed at the Museum offers a threedimensional example of how innovative ideas become real products.
Industrial design is about products and how things work.
Carleton students were invited to display their work at the Museum a few years ago when officials from the Museum visited Carleton and saw projects produced by senior students. The students' work has been on display at the Museum for several months, so it is excellent exposure. Building on the success of the High School Design Competition, a new project is in the works. The School hopes to assist high school teachers in introducing and teaching industrial design in their classes. Planning for a twoday conference to be held next spring is underway.