Crestview’s Design Thinking Program fosters a wide range of exciting real-world skills! Students develop abilities such as focus and stamina, collaboration and understanding, recycling and reusing, and revision and resilience. Recently, many grades have also been practicing essential skills like flexibility and adaptability. Whether tackling real-world challenges or engaging in creative problem-solving, students are using design thinking to develop innovative solutions. Two recent standout projects focus on personal sustainable architecture and space awareness.
Sixth-grade design thinkers are exploring sustainability through their work on “green” architecture. As part of an integration with computer science and in preparation for their end-of-the-year Future City Project, students are studying the concepts of environmentally friendly design. Each of the eight teams has been assigned to research a real high-rise apartment building in downtown Los Angeles, such as Glo Apartments, Pegasus Apartments, and Sakura Crossing Apartments. Their challenge is to analyze the existing sustainability features of these buildings, identify missing key elements, and propose eco-friendly modifications. Using the computer program SketchUp, students are designing retrofitted structures that incorporate their recommendations. Over the next few months, they will bring their ideas to life by building to-scale models of their updated buildings. Be sure to check out their innovative designs at Open House later this year!
Meanwhile, the first graders began by identifying the problems caused by walking too closely together—tripping, bumping into friends, dropping items, and feeling squished. To address this, they explored the idea of “bubble space,” determining that about two feet between students would be ideal. Using the length of Mrs. Cregan’s right arm as a reference (approximately 24 inches), the young designers were challenged to create removable physical barriers that attach to their bodies, ensuring each student maintains a safe 12 inches of space in front and behind them. They have been measuring, building, and testing prototypes, applying math and engineering concepts to their creative solutions. Keep an eye out for their amazing inventions in progress!
While first graders focus on personal space solutions and the sixth grade learn about "green" architecture, students in other grades are also tackling fascinating projects. Second graders are inventing ways for Rapunzel to escape her tower now that her hair has been cut, and third graders are investigating force and energy as they prepare to construct Rube Goldberg Machines. Fourth graders, inspired by the book The One and Only Ivan, are designing humane animal exhibitions and learning firsthand about ethical considerations in zoo habitats. In fifth grade, students are diving into early American craftsmanship and will soon experience the joys and challenges of woodcarving.
Our design thinking students are demonstrating creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in a variety of innovative ways. We can’t wait to see where their ideas take them next!