December Learner Outcome: Design Thinker

At our independent study charter school, we embrace the power of design thinking to cultivate innovative, imaginative learners. A Design Thinker is someone who explores original ideas, takes risks, and develops solutions that benefit themselves and their community. This aligns beautifully with the flexibility of independent study, where learners can tailor their projects to reflect their unique passions and creativity.

Families can integrate design thinking into their daily lives by encouraging learners to tackle real-world challenges using the design process: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. For example, you could invite your child to design a solution to a small household problem—like organizing toys or creating a system for tracking chores. Using everyday materials, they can brainstorm, sketch ideas, and build a prototype.

For a hands-on activity, try building a simple bridge or tower using household items like paper, tape, or straws. Challenge your learner to test its strength and redesign it to make it sturdier. A helpful online resource to inspire creativity is the Design Squad Global website by PBS Kids, which provides fun challenges that engage kids in engineering and design thinking. Visit Design Squad to explore exciting projects together!

By fostering a mindset of curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving, we empower learners to become confident Design Thinkers who can adapt and thrive in any situation.