Design Thinking Process

Introduction

The Future City Project is about using engineering, design thinking, and the scientific method to solve real-world problems that impact people and communities.

In this project, you will follow a 6-week innovation cycle:

• Week 1: Discover — understand problems and explore real-world challenges

• Week 2: Ideate — generate and select creative solutions

• Week 3: Design — plan your solution with clear criteria and constraints

• Week 4: Prototype — build and test your model using the scientific method

• Week 5: Improve — analyze results and refine your design

• Week 6: Share — present your solution and explain your impact

This process combines:

• Human-Centered Design (designing for real people)

• Engineering Design Process (building and improving solutions)

• Scientific Method (testing with evidence and data)

You will work in teams to:

• Identify a real-world challenge

• Design and build a solution

• Test your ideas using data

• Improve your design

• Present your final innovation

Your goal is to create a meaningful solution that makes a positive impact.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this project, you will:

• Use research and investigation skills to understand real-world problems and users

• Apply the design thinking and engineering cycle to develop innovative solutions

• Build and test prototypes using the scientific method (hypothesis, testing, data, conclusion)

• Analyze results and improve your design based on evidence

• Collaborate effectively with your team and manage your project

• Communicate your ideas clearly to an audience using appropriate tools

• Understand how technology and engineering can solve problems and improve people’s lives

What is Our Design Process?

Before starting Week 1, you will explore how engineers and designers solve problems.

As you watch and participate in the Design Game, think about:

• How do ideas turn into real solutions?

• Why is testing important?

• How do engineers improve their designs?

This will prepare you to begin your Future City Challenge.