Applying Design Thinking to Real-World Challenges

Workshop Overview

This in-person workshop combines project-based learning with the design thinking process. Participants begin by exploring the key stages and frameworks of design thinking, then apply these concepts in a hands-on project focused on real-world problem-solving. Through empathetic exploration, collaborative ideation and rapid prototyping in a supportive environment, children get to unleash their creativity and gain a practical and effective understanding of design thinking.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Recommended Age: 9 - 14 years old
• Instructor-Child Ratio: 1:15
• Workshop Fee: $35 per participant
• All materials provided for children

Key Learning Objectives:

Design Thinking Principles & Process:

• Empathise: Understand how to uncover user needs, behaviours, and motivations through observation, active listening and journey mapping
• Define: Practise distilling research findings into clear and well-defined problem statements that guide purposeful solution development
• Ideate: Explore diverse techniques for generating a wide range of innovative solutions
• Prototype: Learn to build simple and low-cost models to test ideas, visualize solutions and gather feedback quickly
• Test: Recognize the value of testing prototypes, interpreting feedback and refining solutions

Essential Skills Development:

• Creative Problem-Solving: Learn to tackle challenges with a structured, human-centered and imaginative mindset
• Team Collaboration: Team up to share ideas, build on one another’s perspectives and create something great together
• Clear Communication: Practise explaining ideas clearly, presenting solutions with confidence and offering constructive feedback
• Resourceful Thinking: Learn to use simple materials creatively and adapt ideas based on constraints or new insights