Dig Deeper with Projects in

Design Thinking

A presentation deck for training educators on the Project MASH design thinking processFull day version

Pick one of the spaces below. In a small group, have a contest to brainstorm the weirdest ideas for how that space might be used.

• Cafeteria• Classroom• Playground• Hallways• Library

• Media center• Science lab• Parking lot• Teachers’

lounge• Main office

Quick Challenge

TIME 5 minutes

Gain an in-depth understanding design thinking.

Discuss how you can use this project (and other design thinking experiences) in your classroom.

Experience design thinking first-hand through the School (re)Design project and other Project MASH activities.

Today’s explorations

What is design thinking?

How Design Thinking Can Empower Young Peoplefrom Is School Enough? A video series on Edutopia

Design thinking is a creative and collaborative process for identifying problems and their innovative solutions.

Design thinking is one of several teaching strategies that inform the educational content and experiences available on Project MASH, a social network for learning.

Design thinking engages students in an active, meaningful process that connects core content to the real world.

Design thinking facilitates project-based learning. It is naturally interdisciplinary and provides relevant opportunities to improve verbal, written, and visual communication skills.

Design thinking is civically charged.

The design thinking process

The design thinking process

The design thinking process

The design thinking process

Ready to Dig Deeper?Explore the design thinking process with a project from Project MASH.

School (re)Design ProjectA Design Thinking Project from Project MASH

Needfinding Scavenger Hunt

For today’s design thinking workshop, we’ll explore the School (re)Design Project. We’ll also incorporate other activities available for students on Project MASH, including:

BrainCookerEmpathy Dice Game

Take your ideas about how to make your school better and use design thinking to take action!

During this activity you will:

Identify a problem space and turn it into your opportunity.

Develop a unique way to make it better.

School (re)Design ProjectA Design Thinking Project from Project MASH

TIME

GOAL

5 minutes

To identify an area of interest.

Have a quick conversation with your team about the following question: Is there a space (cafeteria, schoolyard, classroom, halls) or a need (student boredom, lack of parental involvement, others) that is of interest to you?

Share responses and record a list to keep track of interests.

STEP Discover

TIME

GOAL

45 minutes

To discover a need in your school using the Needfinding Scavenger Hunt from Project MASH (Part 1).

Make a list (5 minutes): Who are the stakeholders in your school community? This may include students, teachers, parents, custodial staff, cafeteria staff, community members, nearby businesses.

Choose 1 to 2 types of stakeholders to focus on and then conduct as many interviews as possible.

STEP Discover (cont.)

What are your favorite places on the school campus? What characteristics make those spaces special?

What do you like about this community? What are your hopes and dreams for its future?

Needfinding Scavenger HuntSample interview questions for your community stakeholders

TIME

GOAL

20 minutes

To analyze your data from the Needfinding Scavenger Hunt (Par 2).

Review your needfinding interview results. Sort the results into categories. What patterns emerge? Identify one key need or a related set of

needs you’d like to focus on moving forward.

STEP Discover (cont.)

TIME

GOAL

45 minutes

To develop empathy for your target audience using the Empathy Dice Game activity from Project MASH.

Based on your identified need, choose a target audience (i.e. specific student or staff member).

Develop six questions for your empathy dice and conduct your interview(s). Roll your dice for the first question and then listen carefully to the answers. Keep in mind: Empathy helps us value and understand why people feel & think a certain way.

STEP Dig Deeper

What is one of your favorite quotes?

If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

What is the best part of waking up for you?

Empathy Dice GameSample empathy-building questions

TIME

GOAL

15 minutes

To develop a design statement that articulates your problem or need using the Design Statement Mad Lib activity from Project MASH.

A design statement clearly frames the challenge, your point of view, and the opportunities you’ve discovered through research. Before writing your statement, identify:

Specific problem, Specific audience, and Underlying causes of the problem or need.

STEP Dig Deeper (cont.)

Design Statement Mad LibDesign statement sample language

TIME

GOAL To brainstorm possible solutions to your problem or need using the BrainCooker activity from Project MASH.

Get your Braincooker template and complete it by filling in brainstorming prompts.

Cut out the die and play Braincooker.o Embrace wild & wacky ideas.o List as many possibilities as you can

imagine.

20 minutes

STEP Brainstorm

List three random words associated with your problem/need. Then, come up with a description that links two of the words.

List five random words associated with your problem. Create a chain, or relationship, that links them in order.

Think of the absolute craziest possible solution to the problem (while still tied to the research made in the “Dig Deeper” steps).

BrainCookerSample prompts

TIME

GOAL To sort the results from your brainstorming session using the Pros vs. Cons activity from Project MASH.

Create a T-chart on a wall or table and write “Pros” on one column and “Cons” on the other. Write your Design Statement at the top of the T-chart. Pick a Post-it note color and write each idea on a separate sticky-note. Place your ideas directly underneath your problem statement. Pick two other colors; one of these will be for the pros and one will be for the cons.

20 minutes

STEP Define

Pros vs. ConsExample T-chart

TIME

GOAL To develop a plan for executing your solution (Part 1).

Choose your best idea (or a combination of two to three “best” ideas) and make a plan! Consider:

o Assigning Roles: Divide and conquer the various tasks.

o Timing: You’ll have 45 minutes to create a prototype or sketch for sharing.

15 minutes

STEP Plan It Out

TIME

GOAL To create a prototype for gathering feedback (Part 2).

Create a prototype that is either:o Illustrative: A sketch or rough designo 3D: A model of the design using materials or

modelling tools

This is the time to start implementing your project plan! Have fun, and remember to focus on the process and not on perfection.

30 minutes

STEP Plan It Out (cont.)

TIME 20 minutes

GOAL To create a prototype for gathering feedback (Part 3).

Take turns sharing your prototype with another team.

Ask them what they like, what questions they have, and what suggestions they have for improvement.

Revise your prototype and get ready to (re)design!

STEP Plan It Out (cont.)

TIME

GOAL To create a 3D design to share.

Use the materials available to make your design 3D!

Think about how materials can function differently.

Assign team roles to ensure you get it done!

45 minutes

STEP Get It Done

What are your general findings from the School (re)Design project? Summarize these.

What opportunity did you identify?

What 3D prototype did you design to respond to the problem or need?

How might your students further address the opportunity?

TIME 15 minutes

Project Share

How else might you use the School (re)Design project?

What skills and content did you cover today? If this was adapted to your subject area, what skills or content could you cover using this approach?

What role does technology play? How is this role distinct from the simple notion of “technology integration”?

TIME 20 minutes

Reflection & Discussion

In a small group, brainstorm how the School (re)Design project connects to the Common Core State Standards. Choose one area to brainstorm. Think about your experience today, as well as how the project could be expanded in a classroom setting:

TIME 30 minutes

•Reading & writing across the disciplines• Integration of informational text •Task appropriate to purpose & audience

•Point of view & multiple perspectives•A value for evidence (words & data)•Using the right tools for problem solving

Common Core Connections

Design thinking is an approach to teaching and learning at the heart of Project MASH, a social network for educators, students, and the organizations that serve them.

Visit www.projectmash.org for student activities and projects that rely on design thinking and other unique teaching strategies.