Lesson Sequence | Design Thinking Process - Empathising

This Year 5–6 learning sequence immerses students in the empathising stage of the design-thinking process, guiding them to deeply understand both the problem and the people affected by it before designing a digital solution to reduce schoolyard litter. Beginning with a compelling “learning hook”—a documentary video and a See–Think–Wonder routine to engage students with real-world litter issues—the sequence then clearly outlines the lesson’s goals and introduces design thinking as a creative, non-linear process. Learners engage in authentic data gathering and empathy-building activities, including surveys, mapping litter hotspots, and using the “SQUID” routine (questions and answers on sticky notes) to surface underlying attitudes and questions about littering. They then conduct interviews with peers, crafting open-ended questions, observing body language, and compiling insights. Throughout, students synthesize observations into clear problem statements and user insights, culminating in reflective discussion about how empathy shaped their understanding and potential solutions. Assessment focuses on students’ ability to observe, listen, interpret multiple perspectives, articulate how their understanding evolved, and express insights into user needs and the problem context.