Design Thinking
One way to teach innovation is through design thinking. Students use the design process to solve problems and help others. Click here to make a copy of our free planning template via GoogleDocs.
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The Design Process (Kid Version)
Start by Caring (Empathize)
Notice what’s happening and think about how you can help someone. What is the human need you're trying to solve?
Understand the Problem (Define)
Ask a “How Might We…” question. What is the desired outcome? Who is it for? What supplies and materials do you have? What do you not have?
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Think of New Ideas (Ideate)
Brainstorm! Use what you know or research to come up with lots of different solutions. There’s more than one right answer.
Create Solutions (Prototype)
Build, draw, or design things that could solve the problem. Try making more than one version.
Try the Solutions (Test)
Test ideas. See what works and what doesn't. Does it help the person or solve the need?
Reflect
Think about what happened. Did it work? What can you improve?
Celebrate or Try Again (Implement or Iterate)
If it worked—congrats! That’s innovation! Document your success so you can repeat it and others can learn. If not, go back and try again with new ideas.
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Get Our Graphic Organizer
Click here to make a copy of our free planning template via GoogleDocs.
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References