Design Thinking
Design Thinking is the process we use in Technologies when creating solutions to problems. It starts with identifying and understanding a problem, and then looking for possible solutions. The next stages are creating prototypes and testing before finally sharing the final solution.
In Term 2 you will look for interesting problems in the world around you that might need creative solutions. You will become experts on the problem by asking questions and gathering information. You will think of many possible solutions and choose one of these to develop your proposal. Your proposal is due at the end of Term 2.
In Term 3 you will build and test your solution and continue to work on it until you have a great solution to your problem. You will present your solution to other students in our school, and also to the judges at UQ near the end of Term 3.
In Term 3 you will build and test your solution and continue to work on it until you have a great solution to your problem. You will present your solution to other students in our school, and also to the judges at UQ near the end of Term 3.
Look, Listen, Learn
Looking for Problems
There are many problems in our world and all around us. Take a look at some of the issues that affect our global community, and see how other young people have tried to work towards solutions to some of these problems.
You might not be able to stop global warming, but could you design a solution using technology to make a positive difference?
You might not be able to stop global warming, but could you design a solution using technology to make a positive difference?
Ask Tons of Questions
Find out what you need to know about the problem and the process. The information provided by YICTE organisers will help you to understand what you need to do in order to be ready to present your project by the LAUNCH date.
Ask yourselves questions that will help you to be an organised team:
- When will we meet to work on the project?
- Are there parts of the project that can be split up so that different people have different jobs they can do independently?
- What skills and knowledge do you already have about your project idea?
- What skills and knowledge will you need to develop, and how will you do this?
- What equipment will you need and how will you get it?
- Who will be able to help you access equipment and knowledge you need?
The eLab is available to teams working on YICTE projects during Term 3. Your whole team does not need to come to the eLab every time, but you must make a time to meet with your whole team at least once a week. Some teams like to also organise to meet outside of school time at a team member's house. This can be particularly useful towards the end of the project when you are getting your presentation ready.
Choose one time for your team to meet. You should also check in with Mrs Batham at least once a week to make sure you are on track. |
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You have six weeks during Term 3 to work on your project. Here is a suggested timeline:
Week 1: L-A-U - Get your team organised and learn as much as you can about the problem. Many teams started this part in Term 2 so use the first week to remember what you have done so far and to plan out the rest of your time.
Week 2: U-N - Put together the information you have found out about your problem so that this part of your presentation is ready to go. Brainstorm some ideas for your solution and write about why you think your solution is a good idea. You might be starting to try out some of your ideas. If you need to learn a new skill this is the time to do this.
Week 3: C - Get started on creating your solution
Week 4: C-H - Keep working on your solution. If something isn't working, this is the time to be highlighting and fixing.
Week 5: C-H - Your solution should be completed this week. You should be working on your presentation and posters.
Week 6: LAUNCH - Prepare and practice your pitch for the judges. Create your posters. Organise equipment that needs to go to St Lucia. On Wednesday of this week, you will be sharing your presentation with our school community.
Week 1: L-A-U - Get your team organised and learn as much as you can about the problem. Many teams started this part in Term 2 so use the first week to remember what you have done so far and to plan out the rest of your time.
Week 2: U-N - Put together the information you have found out about your problem so that this part of your presentation is ready to go. Brainstorm some ideas for your solution and write about why you think your solution is a good idea. You might be starting to try out some of your ideas. If you need to learn a new skill this is the time to do this.
Week 3: C - Get started on creating your solution
Week 4: C-H - Keep working on your solution. If something isn't working, this is the time to be highlighting and fixing.
Week 5: C-H - Your solution should be completed this week. You should be working on your presentation and posters.
Week 6: LAUNCH - Prepare and practice your pitch for the judges. Create your posters. Organise equipment that needs to go to St Lucia. On Wednesday of this week, you will be sharing your presentation with our school community.
Make a simple timeline for your team. Decide on a regular meeting time. Make a plan to be organised.
Understanding the Problem
In order to solve a problem you need to understand the problem. What do you already know about the issue? What do you still need to find out?
Use a KWL chart to help organise your ideas.
Use a KWL chart to help organise your ideas.
How will you find out the things you need to know?
It is a good idea to do some research, read some articles, watch videos and ask experts to find out about the problem. It can also be very useful to conduct a survey to find out more.
e.g. If you plan to make a game to help people learn their maths facts, which maths facts does your target audience most need to know? One simple way to find out is to ask people which maths facts they have difficulty remembering...
If you are trying to solve a bigger issue such as plastic pollution or littering, what questions could you ask to find out more about the underlying problem? Why do people litter? What kinds of litter are most common in our school? Why do people choose to use single-use plastics? What stops people from making better choices on their own? You might ask people questions or do some other research such as counting the different types of litter in the school, or asking family members to keep track of their plastic use for a week so you have some data that will help you find a good solution.
It is a good idea to do some research, read some articles, watch videos and ask experts to find out about the problem. It can also be very useful to conduct a survey to find out more.
e.g. If you plan to make a game to help people learn their maths facts, which maths facts does your target audience most need to know? One simple way to find out is to ask people which maths facts they have difficulty remembering...
If you are trying to solve a bigger issue such as plastic pollution or littering, what questions could you ask to find out more about the underlying problem? Why do people litter? What kinds of litter are most common in our school? Why do people choose to use single-use plastics? What stops people from making better choices on their own? You might ask people questions or do some other research such as counting the different types of litter in the school, or asking family members to keep track of their plastic use for a week so you have some data that will help you find a good solution.
Write a summary of your research that explains the problem.
You will need this for your posters and presentation.
What is the problem and why does it need to be solved? Using data and statistics to show that you understand the problem will help you to make a much more persuasive pitch to the judges.
You will need this for your posters and presentation.
What is the problem and why does it need to be solved? Using data and statistics to show that you understand the problem will help you to make a much more persuasive pitch to the judges.
Navigate ideas
What is your proposed solution? Why is your idea a good idea? How does it help address the problem you identified?
These are questions the judges might ask you. You should include your answers to these questions in your presentation.
If you have lots of possible ideas, start narrowing down to the best idea. Think about the problem and what you have learnt through the previous phases to help you decide which direction to go.
These are questions the judges might ask you. You should include your answers to these questions in your presentation.
If you have lots of possible ideas, start narrowing down to the best idea. Think about the problem and what you have learnt through the previous phases to help you decide which direction to go.
Write a summary of your idea. You will need this for your posters and presentation.
What is your idea and why is it a good solution to the problem?
What is your idea and why is it a good solution to the problem?
Create a Prototype
You will need plenty of time to work on creating your solution. If possible, break the solution down into smaller parts so that different team members can be responsible for making sure that each part is complete. This strategy is called "decomposition" and is a useful way to get the big project done with a team.
Work on your solution. Take some photos along the way if you want to use these in your presentation.
Highlight and Fix
Learning from mistakes is a very important part of the design process. If something isn't working in the way you want, keep persisting to solve the problem. Look at what went wrong and use this to help you move forward. The judges will be very interested in how you solved problems along the way. You might like to take photos or write about some of your "failures" to show what went wrong and what you learnt from this experience.
Reflect on what you have learnt from your project. How can you include this learning in your presentation?
Launch
Getting Ready for the Big Day
The Judging Days for 2018 will be held at the UQ Centre at the University of Queensland, St Lucia.
A presentation ceremony will be held at the end of the judging event to present certificates and prizes to participants and winners.
- Year 3 and Year 4 teams - Saturday 25 August 2018
- Year 5 and Year 6 teams - Sunday 26 August 2018
A presentation ceremony will be held at the end of the judging event to present certificates and prizes to participants and winners.
Setting up your display
A fun part of the YICTE experience is creating a display to show off all of the hard work you have done and to tell people about your project and what you have learnt from doing your project. Your display should be bright and colourful to attract people to come to your stand to find out more about your project. It should also be informative so that people who visit you will get a better understanding of your project and the problem you were trying to solve.
Things you might include in your display are:
Things you might include in your display are:
- a tablecloth to cover the table and so that you can attach posters to it.
- signs that explain your project, including the problem you are trying to solve and the process you used.
- A "pitch video" that introduces your team and explains your project
- QR codes that visitors can use to view your project or video on their own devices
- Bunting, balloons and streamers to draw attention to your stall
- Costumes, including "wearable technology". (You will be given a special T-shirt to wear on the day, but you might like to add a hat, or a flashing badge or something else to help you to stand out from the crowd.)
- 3D objects (such as toys or things you have created to go with your theme) so that your display doesn't seem "flat". You could wrap a box in brightly coloured paper and attach some of your posters to this to help make your display more interesting.
- Technical equipment such as iPads, laptops, speakers, monitors etc (If you need to use school equipment on the day, please talk to Mrs Batham or Mr Bandidt so we can organise this for you).