Overview
Big Idea: Creativity is a major factor in creating inventions and developing innovations.
Teacher's Note: Big ideas should be made explicit to students by writing them on the board and/or reading them aloud.
Purpose of Lesson: The purpose of the lesson is to expose students to the importance of creativity and its application when brainstorming solutions to real world problems.
Standards/Benchmarks
STL 9J. Engineering design is influenced by personal characteristics, such as creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to visualize and think abstractly.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn to apply brainstorming techniques within the engineering design process as a way to document a variety of solutions to a proposed problem.
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Engagement:
The teacher will display the following quote on creativity from Albert Einstein to the classroom.
In their Engineering Design Journals, students will label the top of the journal page "Creativity" and respond to the meaning of the quote. The teacher will lead a discussion on the meaning of the quote, referencing student comments and thoughts.
Exploration:
The teacher will present the creativity engagement activity (First5Days Presentation 5.1). The teacher will lead a brief discussion of the activity.
Explanation:
The teacher will present the creative brainstorming presentation (First5Days Presentation 5.2). Students will record notes in their engineering journals.
Extension:
The teacher will introduce the creative brainstorming assignment (First5Days File 5.1). Students will break into groups of two and apply the brainstorming technique of mind mapping. Students will use their engineering design journals to complete the assignment. Students will present their designs to the class.
Evaluation:
The student's knowledge, skills and attitudes are assessed through formative teacher observations and questioning.
Resource Materials
First5Days Presentation 5.1 Creativity Engagement
First5Days Presentation 5.2 Brainstorming
First5Days File 5.1 Creative Brainstorming Assignment