Design Thinking

Design Thinking

What is design thinking?

SCH is encouraging design thinking at all levels, in all areas of the curriculum!  In design thinking a driving question generates empathy, then leads to brainstorming solutions, and concludes with actually building a modeling and presenting a model which expresses your ideas.

Driving Question

Our driving question came from our classroom rabbits, who wrote to us and asked if we could improve their cage.  So our driving questions was: How can we design a bunny cage to work for both quiet Popeye and active Olive Oyl?  

Brainstorming

First,we brought each bunny out, one at a time, and talked about their needs.  Then we brainstormed as a whole group.  We made a list of what we thought Popeye would like best in a cage and then what Olive would like.  

Then, working in teams, the girls decided upon three design elements they wanted in their new bunny cage design.  

Building a Design Model

With their list of three design elements, teams were asked to build a model of their improved bunny cage.  There was plenty of time, a large range of craft supplies to choose from and teacher support.  The goal was not to build a beautiful model, but to build a model which indicated how your design ideas would provide solutions.

Documenting & Sharing Ideas

To document their good ideas, we took photos of the girl's design models to accompany their written list and illustration of their three design elements.  Then each team was asked to explain in depth their ideas, the process and the completed model to our lower school science teacher, Ms. Maloy.  This way, the girls have both written documentation and they have verbally communicated their solutions for how to have a bunny cage that can be occupied by two opposite personalities.

 

                                                  Zoe & Victoria's Bunny Cage Model

Design Elements:

                                                                       1. pitched roof

                                                                       2. resting box

                                                                       3.bunny door

                                                 Gretel & Naomi's Bunny Cage Model
                                                                   Design Elements:
                                                                        1. 3 floors
                                                                        2. wall paper
                                                                        3. beds

                                    Georgia & Lani & Madeleine's Bunny Cage Model
                                                                Design Elements:
                                                                     1. 3 floors
                                                                     2. racing track
                                                                     3. ramp

                                                  Jordyn & Daisy's Bunny Cage Model
                                                                  Design Elements:
                                                                      1. 2 rooms
                                                                      2. visiting hole
                                                                      3. carpet

                                                   Rhea & Samya's Bunny Cage Model
                                                                  Design Elements:
                                                                       1. 3 floors
                                                                       2. stairs & ramp
                                                                       3. beds

Penelope & Noa's Bunny Cage Model

Design Elements:

                                                                        1. 2 floors

                                                                        2. ramp

                                                                        3. 2nd floor divided 

                                                   Olivia & Quinn's Bunny Cage Model
                                                                  Design Elements:
                                                                    1. bell for food
                                                                    2. two sided bed
                                                                    3. trampoline racing track