Panama Canal - Design Thinking Approach
“If you were an engineer in the early 1900s tasked with designing the Panama Canal, how would you approach solving the challenge of connecting two oceans across mountainous terrain and varying sea levels? Describe your thinking process, the factors you would consider (geography, technology, environment, and human effort), and how you would justify your design choices.”
Q1. Empathize — Understanding the Need
Question:
Who are the people and groups affected by the construction of the Panama Canal (e.g., traders, engineers, workers, local communities, environment)? What challenges or needs do they have that your design should address?
Question:
What is the main problem your design must solve? Is it about connecting oceans efficiently, managing elevation differences, ensuring worker safety, or minimizing environmental damage? Write a clear problem statement.
Question:
What are some possible ways to build a canal that connects two oceans? Think about different design ideas (sea-level canal vs. lock-based system) and compare their advantages and limitations.
Tools students can use:
Brainstorming
Mind maps
SCAMPER technique (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse)
Question:
Sketch or model your canal design. Show the flow of ships, the water control system, and key engineering structures. What materials and technologies would you use, given the early 1900s context?
Tools students can use:
Storyboards
Concept sketches or simple 3D models (paper, clay, digital tools)
Blueprint diagrams
Question:
How would you test your canal design to see if it works safely and efficiently? What problems might appear during construction or operation, and how would you fix them?