Lesson Idea | Design Thinking for Elementary Students

Design Thinking is a process used by engineers and designers to help them
solve complex problems and create solutions & products that meet people’s
needs. It’s solution-based thinking that starts with a general goal, not just a
specific problem.

Design Thinking focuses on empathy, students trying to solve problems that
affect people. Those people might be fictional characters in a novel, or they
might be their community’s very real homeless adults. The process requires
students to ask themselves what it’s like to be that person, the client or “end
user.” It’s the idea that students are attempting to solve problems—real
problems—and serve the needs of others.

This lesson is written for younger students, K-3rd grade students.

Materials

- Philippines map
- Guatemala map
- Plastic Bottle Schools packets
- Items to build with… Bunch-ems, Legos, STEM Master Building Toys,
Magnetic Sticks, Connectagons, Picasso Bristle Tiles, clay, popsicle sticks,
straws, aluminum foil, pipe cleaners, and toothpicks
- Challenge Prompts

Lesson Time (40-50 Minutes)

Introduction: 5 minutes
Guided Lesson: 10 minutes
Student Activity: 20-30 minutes
Conclusion: 5 minutes