Woodworking and Design

Students begin the year by learning how to work with and maintain a variety of traditional hand woodworking tools. In the first term, each student designs and builds a small box using traditional joinery techniques. In the second term, students learn to use power tools safely. Throughout the remainder of the year, each student is guided through the process of designing an original piece of furniture. The class includes trips to museums, local studios, and the Philadelphia Furniture Show. Students also have opportunities to exhibit their work in area shows.

Students may prepare for an IB visual arts exam by taking woodworking courses for at least two years. To take an SL exam, only one of the two years must be in 11th or 12th grade. To take an HL exam, the student must enroll in woodworking courses in both 11th and 12th grades. Juniors and seniors preparing for an IB exam in the visual arts must participate in the IB visual arts seminar, which meets for 30 minutes weekly and includes occasional field trips on Saturday or Sunday. 

Advanced Woodworking and Design

Building on skills developed in Woodworking and Design, students continue to develop patience, hand skills, safe power tool use, and the ability to "see" on paper and create in wood. Each student must design and build at least one piece of furniture of high quality. Some students spend the entire year on a single project, while others complete more than one piece. Either approach is acceptable as long as the student's commitment to doing his or her best work is apparent in the final product.

Students may take this course more than once.

Students may prepare for an IB visual arts exam by taking woodworking courses for at least two years. To take an SL exam, only one of the two years must be in 11th or 12th grade. To take an HL exam, the student must enroll in woodworking courses in both 11th and 12th grades. Juniors and seniors preparing for an IB exam in the visual arts must participate in the IB visual arts seminar, which meets for 30 minutes weekly and includes occasional field trips on Saturday or Sunday.

Prerequisites: Woodworking and Design (must be taken at George School)