Description
Design Studio includes:
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A comprehensive Facilitator’s Guide to help orient teachers to the EcoRise design thinking process and design an effective inquiry-based learning adventure that has students designing and completing their own sustainable design project. It provides helpful classroom tips, templates, and enrichment opportunities
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An introductory lesson that defines design-thinking, inquiry-based learning, and systems thinking and helps students understand the value of these methods for innovating sustainable solutions
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Six modules and 40 engaging activities from which teachers can choose to meet classroom needs
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Student worksheets, answer keys, and exemplars
The EcoRise design thinking process is structured as a five-step framework that offers a tremendous amount of freedom and flexibility. Each step corresponds to a Design Studio module, which is organized into groups of activities you can choose from.
Here are the five key steps of an innovative problem-solving process that is based on design thinking:
Identify
Students explore how a given challenge impacts the environment and community, analyze stakeholder viewpoints and assumptions, and begin to define the ultimate goal and purpose of a project.
Explore
Students consider how design and innovation can be used to engineer creative challenges to complex problems.
Create
Students brainstorm to cultivate new ideas, stimulate creativity, and begin designing their innovative solution.
Refine
Students evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their proposed solution, share and receive feedback, and refine in order to improve.
Share
Students learn how to share their work in a compelling and relevant way, seeking to engage and empower their community through their design.
”My students' worlds are more meaningful because they now have an understanding of their role in it. The sense of empowerment that they have learned through this curriculum makes them better global citizens and members of their own communities. How much better does it get? That's every teacher's dream!
Landon Garvik2nd Grade Teacher, C. W. Harris, Washington, DC
