Step 6

Prototype and Test: Clear the path/be an ombudsman for the difficulties learners might encounter

For the Colorado stinky swamp project, the adult mentors, the principal, and the school board had to get involved (become ombudsmen) o help students when these middle schoolers discovered that the swamp was on the original bird migration path through Denver. The students were wanting to propose that the swamp be restored so that birds could use it again. All kinds of roadblocks had to be overcome by the adults to get such a restoration project underway. Whenever possible, the adults would take the students with them to meetings and hearings or to offices that had to give the approvals. Students also helped in asking organizations for donations and doing fund raising with projects they came up with.

Step 7

Implement the new system if possible. Celebrate success and challenges overcome

What seemed like just a stinky swamp problem turned into a major community project. Both the adult mentors and students came together to make restoring the swamp and merely an idea into a reality. By raising funds, doing the work, and getting experts advice their goal came to fruition. When the whole project was complete, there was a major community celebration that was student-planned.

Step 8

Culmination of the implementation: Develop a culminating experience. This could include some sort of exibition of the projects, but if students have kept logs, it should be a compare/contrast about the process of design thinking.

During the celebration of the new swamp, the students created various poster stations where other students in the school, parents, and community members could stop and listen to the young docents explain various parts of the project from beginning to end. The students rotated through the various poster stations because every student could explain all of the activities represented on the posters. After the poster session, the mentors and students conducted a fishbowl circle with their parents seated behind them. They talked about-what it takes to tackle a major projects like this and the steps that were difficulties and how they were able to overcome obstacles.

Step 9

Evaluate: Conduct a Big Think

After the celebration was over, the students conducted a reflection seminar with their mentors and experts who had participated. Questions to consider, specific to the swamp example:

• What did we learn about habitats but also the process we went through to create one?
• How well did we do?
• If were were going to tackle some other project like this, what would we do differently?
• When can we expect our first birds?
• How will the swamp be tended so that it will be around for many years?

Their discussion centered on the "So What?" And the "What’s Next?" way of thinking.