The Journey
Built G6–G9 Design Tech curriculum from zero. Redesigned lab — new glass power tool enclosure, 3D printing zone. Coaches VEX IQ Robotics competition team.
Led Science department at BBIS. Integrated AI tools across curriculum — Brisk, NotebookLM, MagicSchool, Diffit — for differentiated feedback at scale.
NGSS Science and Design Technology at Jakarta Intercultural School. G6 & G7 advisory, MS boys football coach, International Youth Award Leader.
Lead IB Biology, IGCSE Science, HoD Science. Google for Education Admin, Kognity Admin, ManageBac Admin. GIS curriculum development.
American International School of Budapest. MYP Science, Grade 6-12 Homeroom. Led student trip to London, Paris, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna.
Berlin Brandenburg International School. First international posting — MYP Design Technology, IGCSE Biology, Technology Integration role.
13 years in Texas and Oregon. PreAP Biology team leader, AP Biology, Aquatic Science, Environmental Systems. Lake Travis Education Foundation grant recipient 2008–09.
The Design Cycle
Curiosity Before Solutions
Students investigate context deeply before touching a tool. Who is the client? What problem genuinely exists? Inquiry isn't a box to tick — it's the foundation everything rests on.
Units are built around real stakeholder interviews, mapping existing solutions, and defining measurable success criteria.
Design for Community Need
Stakeholder interviews · Problem framing · Research portfolios
Sustainable Product Analysis
Life cycle thinking · Material research · Existing product critique
Human-Centred Design Brief
Empathy maps · User personas · Context definition
Complex Systems Investigation
Systems mapping · Stakeholder analysis · Scope definition
From Ideas to Intent
Multiple solutions — not one safe idea. Students evaluate their own thinking before committing. Sketching, CAD, prototyping, modelling.
Ideation & Sketch Development
Thumbnail sketching · Idea matrices · Criteria scoring
CAD & Technical Drawing
Orthographic views · TinkerCAD · Annotation standards
Iterative Prototype Planning
Rapid prototyping · Material selection · Gantt planning
Advanced Design Specification
Technical specs · Bill of materials · Testing protocols
Making Is Thinking
Wood, metal, electronics, 3D printing, code — often in the same project. The enclosed power tool area enables serious making safely.
First Build: Functional Product
Hand tools · Joining techniques · Safety protocols
3D Print + Electronics
FDM printing · Arduino basics · Iterative testing
Mixed Materials Project
Power tools · Laser cutting · Surface finishing
Capstone: Client Brief
Full design cycle · Real client · Exhibition ready
Reflection Is Not an Afterthought
Evaluation is an ongoing practice. Students test against their own success criteria, gather user feedback, and measure how well the solution solves the original problem.
Criteria-Based Testing
Success criteria · Peer review · Redesign proposals
User Testing Protocol
Task-based testing · Feedback analysis · Iteration log
Impact Assessment
Functional testing · Environmental impact · Iteration log
Exhibition & Presentation
Public presentation · Client sign-off · Portfolio defence
What Students Make
First Build: Functional Product
Hand tools, joining techniques, safety protocols. Students design and build their first functional object from scratch.
3D Print + Electronics
FDM printing combined with Arduino basics. Students design enclosures for electronic components they wire themselves.
Mixed Materials Project
Power tools, laser cutting, surface finishing. Students work with multiple materials in the same project.
Capstone: Client Brief
Full design cycle with a real client. Exhibition-ready products presented to the school community.
Robotics Competition Team
CIS Hefei VEX IQ team — design, build, programme, and compete. Students coach themselves between sessions.
Design Portfolios
Every student maintains a digital design portfolio across all four grades — documenting their full design cycle from brief to evaluation.
What Peter Brings
Teaching Curricula
Technology & Admin
AI & EdTech
Making & Fabrication
Science Equipment
Leadership
The Lab
Glass Enclosure
Heavy power tools housed in a purpose-built glass-walled room. Students observe professional tools safely before supervised use. Noise and dust fully contained.
Doubled Floor Space
Complete reimagination of the space. Usable area doubled through intelligent zoning — wet, dry, digital fabrication, and design review areas separated.
Kitchen Workflow
Overhauled the student kitchen layout for safety and efficiency — a unique design challenge combining spatial planning with health and safety compliance.
3D Printing Zone
Dedicated FDM printing area with proper ventilation and power management. Students can print overnight and return to iterate the following day.
Let's Talk.
MYP Design Technology educator, curriculum builder, lab designer, and tech integrator with 25+ years across five countries. Available for senior roles from August 2026.
Married to Gwen Brunet (IB Geography) — we are available as a teaching couple.