The Design Lab and Design Thinking Course at Ramsey High School was developed by Dr. Richard Wiener, former district Director of Curriculum and Adjunct Professor of Education at Teachers College, Columbia University and Ramapo College of New Jersey, in collaboration with Adam Royalty, Designer-in-Residence at the Columbia University Design Studio, along with a team of teachers and administrators in the Ramsey School District. The high school design initiative grew out of need for schools to teach students skills which foster creativity and innovation, the ability to tackle complex, ambiguous problems, and work productively with adults in a professional setting in order to counterbalance public school's overemphasis on memorization of content and standardized curriculum and assessment.
The Design Lab is built upon a strong foundation in human-centered design. The students are trained in the design thinking methodology through small “innovation” challenges that build up to a large scale “design challenge” provided by an industry partner. In past years the students have worked with the All Things Media, Liberty Science Center, Crisis Text Line, American Express, Boxed, Athlete Ally, NJ State Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, the Ramsey Chamber of Commerce, 1010 Wins Radio, NY Waterway, the NJ Department of Education, Polestar USA, Homewell Care Services, Ramsey PD, and Chartwells School Dining Services . Each of these companies and organizations have benefitted from the rich insights that the students have produced through human-centered interviews, prototypes, and its unique design perspective.
The responsibility of our partners is to provide our students with a challenging “problem” facing the company. The “design challenge” is typically presented to the student innovation team in a face to face meeting at the organization’s headquarters where initial background and data are provided. During the next eight weeks, the students work through the design process at the Ramsey Design Lab where they ultimately produce critical insights, prototypes, and innovative solutions related to the company’s “challenge.” There is a midpoint virtual meet-up around week five, followed by a final presentation at the company headquarters at the end of the semester. There is very little time commitment required of our partners and no fees or financial investment. The most important expectation with the partnership is for a “challenge” that is authentic, rigorous, and “messy,” that will advance the learning experience of our design students and produce value for the partner.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a partner with the Ramsey Design Lab, for the 2022-23 school-year or beyond, please contact Mr. Kenneth Veit, Fine Arts Supervisor for the Ramsey Public Schools.
(201) 785-2300 x. 21574
Please contact:
Kenneth Veit, Fine Arts Supervisor for the Ramsey Public Schools
(201) 785-2300 x.21574