Welcome:
Hi there - thank you for your interest in our 3D Design Problem Bank Project. For a nice overview of the context of the work we are doing, please check our article in Make Magazine. For more information about our project, how it runs, and further things to keep in mind when creating a Problem Bank please contact Rich Lehrer ([email protected]). Thank you.
Background:
In July of 2014, we pioneered an initiative that mobilizes individuals throughout our school to create opportunities for our students to engage in authentic and meaningful problem solving. In the Brookwood 3D Design Problem Bank, adults at our school (faculty, maintenance workers, parents, etc.) submit problems in need of a 3D designed solution to a project website where they are categorized and publicly posted. Students from different grades and settings are given the chance to choose problems that resonate with them, and an iterative relationship is created where the child and adult both play a role in defining the problem, brainstorming first steps, and generating gradually improved iterations.
In what is truly a win/win/win situation, “problem posters” receive solutions to their design needs, students engage deeply in the engineering process, and everyone connected to our school is provided with a tangible example of the power of the design cycle to transform problems into growth opportunities and students into contributing and engaged community members.
Although we feel that we are at the beginning of this journey, we have begun to receive interest from other schools and organizations looking to set up their own Problem Banks. Our recommendations include guidelines such as:
Hi there - thank you for your interest in our 3D Design Problem Bank Project. For a nice overview of the context of the work we are doing, please check our article in Make Magazine. For more information about our project, how it runs, and further things to keep in mind when creating a Problem Bank please contact Rich Lehrer ([email protected]). Thank you.
Background:
In July of 2014, we pioneered an initiative that mobilizes individuals throughout our school to create opportunities for our students to engage in authentic and meaningful problem solving. In the Brookwood 3D Design Problem Bank, adults at our school (faculty, maintenance workers, parents, etc.) submit problems in need of a 3D designed solution to a project website where they are categorized and publicly posted. Students from different grades and settings are given the chance to choose problems that resonate with them, and an iterative relationship is created where the child and adult both play a role in defining the problem, brainstorming first steps, and generating gradually improved iterations.
In what is truly a win/win/win situation, “problem posters” receive solutions to their design needs, students engage deeply in the engineering process, and everyone connected to our school is provided with a tangible example of the power of the design cycle to transform problems into growth opportunities and students into contributing and engaged community members.
Although we feel that we are at the beginning of this journey, we have begun to receive interest from other schools and organizations looking to set up their own Problem Banks. Our recommendations include guidelines such as:
- Teach empathy — the more authentic the problem, the more important it is for the student designer to understand the needs of the “problem poster”
- Educate your community — a greater understanding of the types of problems 3D printing can solve leads to better growth opportunities for students
- Grow “problem finders” — encouraging adults to be willing to both look for and pass on authentic problems in need of a solution can be challenging but is rewarding for all
- Start by “getting real” — it is challenging for middle school and elementary students to conceptualize 3D solutions to problems. Prototyping in conventional materials (cardboard, duct tape, modeling clay, etc.) is a critical first step
- Many iterations = more effective designs — the time needed to 3D print iterations can be a barrier to repeated passes through the design cycle. Requiring students to create and first print “slices” or “footprints” of their designs allows them to confirm the appropriateness of their solutions before committing time, energy, and materials to a full print
- Mobilize student leaders — enlisting the help of older students to educate adults and classmates, manage design relationships, teach 3D designing, and showcase solutions helps navigate the logistical challenges of the Problem Bank while providing powerful leadership opportunities
Creating Changemakers
The goal of this model is to develop and weave together a series of experiences that result in young people seeing problems in their lives, communities, and world as solvable, developing the skills to design solutions, practice creating actual authentic solutions and become aware of other young people effecting change in their world. This model has 4 components:
The goal of this model is to develop and weave together a series of experiences that result in young people seeing problems in their lives, communities, and world as solvable, developing the skills to design solutions, practice creating actual authentic solutions and become aware of other young people effecting change in their world. This model has 4 components:
- Acquiring Designing and Making for Good Skills - The set of design, making, engineering, and problem solving skills that allow young people to create solutions
- Creating Authentic Solutions - The creation of actual authentic and useful solutions, products, inventions, innovations that benefit self, school, community or world etc. through this work
- Developing an Empowerment Mindset - The potential for young people to find and see problems as “solvable” and view themselves as capable and empowered community members through this work - acquiring of “transferable” skills, mindsets, dispositions
- Becoming Familiar with Powerful Examples - The sharing with students of models of programs that are creating changemakers in order to inspire and inform their work.
What Makes a Good Problem Bank Problem?
To find "Good Problems" for students to work on, click this What Makes a Good Problem Bank Problem Link.
To find "Good Problems" for students to work on, click this What Makes a Good Problem Bank Problem Link.