Our team, Group 8, used several methods to come up with our list of ideas which we eventually were able to refine. To begin, our group was placed into a breakout room where we each “shouted out” our ideas and listed them on a collaborative document. We then used the SCAMMPERR Method to focus on pulling great ideas from our brainstorm to come up with 3 concepts to review in a Decision Matrix.

Prior to using the matrix, we set the weight and scale in which we would evaluate the concepts against our design requirements (established in Element C). As we evaluated each of the concepts against the requirements in the Decision Matrix, we decided to weigh specific requirements more or less based on the surveys, input, and interviews from Element A. We were able to establish and formalize 3 concepts in which we will be pursuing further.

1. 1. 1. Solution A: Prepacked from Vendor

         • Solution Description: Instructions are provided by private company (like KiwiCo). School pays for subscriptions and materials are shipped to the school and distributed through the 'dead drop kiosk' method in the school lobby.

         • Implementation: Rosters for Fall semester determine quantity needed and purchase orders are submitted at the beginning of the summer for central collection and distribution. Excessive costs would have to come through corporate sponsors, donations, and/or grants such as Perkins or 509.

      2. Solution B: Materials sourced by families

         • Solution Description: Instructions are provided by the district, but families are left to buy and assemble kits – like “teacher wish lists or back-to-school lists” that go out at the beginning of the year.

         • Implementation: Just as elementary schools send out a 'wish list' for students to buy at the beginning of the school year, we could make a materials list parents should buy before school. Assuming since families are purchasing the materials, there is really no quality control. There is also a huge financial burden on families, and we are attempting to eliminate social and economic impacts.

      3. Solution C: Kits provided by school district

         • Solution Description: School district purchases in bulk, volunteers assemble, kids pick up.

         • Implementation: Rosters would determine quantity. Purchase order approvals may take time depending on funding sources, which could delay material delivery. District cost constraints will determine contents. Funding would likely need to be sourced from grants.

In order to complete this element, we had to review Elements A, B, C, and compare/contrast them with Element D to ensure we could continue or if our ideas would need iteration and improvements. After creating and completing the Decision Matrix along with reviewing each concept in more detail, we’ve decided that we would pursue Concept C: Kits provided by the district as the option that we would move into the next phase of design, evaluation and testing. Given the weights of the respective elements in the decision matrix, Concept C: Kits provided by the district received a total of 15 points over Concept 1: Purchase/Assembly/Distribution of Kits by Vendors to Families Direct. It was still difficult to find a solution to fully meet the design requirements in which we are attempting to fit within, the biggest of which is the economic and social impacts on families simultaneously with maintaining CDC guidelines. We will be pursuing and testing Concept C: Kits supplied by the district as our potential solution.