bit.ly/sk12designthinking

Design Thinking is a human centered problem solving process rooted in empathy. In this series, participants will explore the Design Thinking process to create transformative learning experiences that will cultivate student creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and student agency.

Session 1: An Introduction to Design Thinking: Are you looking for ways to foster creativity, inspire innovation, and engage every student? Implementing Design Thinking can help unleash the creative potential of your students, while allowing them to pursue their individual interests and passions! Join Lauren Boucher and Brian Whitson to learn more about the Design Thinking process and how to use it with any age or subject area!

Session 2: Design Thinking: Starting Small with Sprints: Just like sprints in Track and Field, Design Sprints are short projects designed to help students learn the steps in the Design Thinking Process. In Session 2 of the Design Thinking series, you will have the opportunity to experience a Design Sprint and explore resources and templates that will assist you in trying them with your students.

Session 3: Fostering Empathy & Creativity through the Design Thinking Process: Too often our students lack opportunities to practice and expand their empathetic and creative thinking in the classroom. In this session, we will explore the role of creativity and empathy in the Design Thinking process and opportunities for students to practice.

Session 4: Exploring Design Thinking Through Student Projects Pt. 1: After learning the basics of using Design Thinking with students, Session 4 in this series will dive deep into designing and implementing a project with your students. Participants will engage in the Design Thinking process by completing empathy maps and defining their own topic while using templates and other materials to plan for implementation in their own classroom.

Session 5: Exploring Design Thinking Through Student Projects Pt. 2: In Session 5, we will continue working through the five steps of the Design Thinking Process. Participants will ideate, prototype, and test their chosen topic from Session 4. Lauren and Brian will share more templates and resources that teachers can use to implement these types of projects with their students.

Session 6: Evaluating & Implementing Design Thinking Student Projects: In this final series session, participants will review various evaluation practices for projects involving Design Thinking including student-created rubrics. Participants will also have an opportunity to create their own Design Thinking experience for use in their classroom.