Project IDEATE

Kimberly Cawkwell

High Tech Elementary North County 4th Grade

“Nurturing a culture that allows for innovation is the key.” - Google

Project Overview:

Students explored the essential question, “How Can Innovative Ideas Make a Difference?” Based on Google's concept of Genius Hour and the Stanford Design School, our classroom was transformed to a place where students could dream big. Students interviewed five different organizations in our community: 1)Pacific Preschool, 2) San Marcos City Hall, 3) Vallecitos Water District, 4) San Marcos Police Station, and 5)Escondido Humane Society. From these interviews, students discovered dilemmas that the organizations were having. They were tasked by the organization to create a prototype or a product that could help provide a resolution. Using a delegated budget, students worked in groups to build a business plan around this innovation. They designed websites, mission statements, logos, business cards and more for their businesses. Throughout the project, students collaborated with their organization via email to receive critique and feedback on their products. Their final prototypes and products were showcased in a business pitch for audience members to purchase and possibly invest in.

Teacher Reflection:

“Groups of students left to separate organizations to interview members in the community to learn about ways they could support them. Originally, I was very nervous because I was unable to accompany the students on these trips. However, I was so impressed and inspired by how professional the students were when given the trust to engage in these short internships. They were great listeners and made sure to propose thoughtful ideas that could help provide a resolution to their organization’s dilemma. For example, the group who visited the local preschool learned the preschoolers had trouble reading. They created non-fiction interactive books for the preschoolers to read. The group who went to the San Marcos City Hall learned that there was a large trash problem in the community parks. They invented a trash robot called “Trashbot” to clean up our city. Overall, I loved that the ideas for the final products came from the kids and that they really had to listen to their community members to ensure they were creating meaningful products.” - Ms.Kim

Student Reflections:

“This was the best project because we could ideate and make many prototypes to help others” - Tyler

“I learned that no matter how young you are, you can dream big.” - Peyton

“I learned to keep persevering with your ideas and don’t give up on yourself.” - Sinqi

Click on logos below to see student created business webpages.

Video shared at the Vallecitos Water District Board Meeting

Project Handout

Dearest families,

In the upcoming project, students will be exploring the essential question, “How Can Innovative Ideas Make a Difference?” Based on Google's concept of Genius Hour and the Stanford Design School, our classroom will be transformed to a place where students can dream big. We will interview people in our community and from these interviews, the students will create a prototype or a product that could help make a difference in their community. Using a delegated budget, students will work in groups to build a business plan around this innovation and include creative marketing tactics. Their final prototypes or products will be showcased in a business pitch for audience members to critique and possibly invest in.

Essential Question:

How can innovative ideas make a difference?

Where the project was Inspired From:

Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering and Engineering the Classroom

http://www.inventtolearn.com/

Stanford D.School: http://dschool.stanford.edu/

Design thinking Process

Eight Pillars of Innovation

(think with Google): http://www.geniushour.com/

1) HAVE A MISSION THAT MATTERS

2) THINK BIG BUT START SMALL

3) STRIVE FOR CONTINUAL INNOVATION, NOT INSTANT PERFECTION

4) LOOK FOR IDEAS EVERYWHERE

5) SHARE EVERYTHING

6) SPARK WITH IMAGINATION, FUEL WITH DATA

7) BE A PLATFORM

8) NEVER FAIL TO FAIL

Tentative Timeline:

Week 1 Jan 12-16

Launch:

What do you do with an idea?
- Read story to kids and have them imagine inventing something that could change the world. What would you invent? Who would you help? How could it help them?
- Discuss the power of an idea
Whole group read alouds
- Ideas that have changed the world
- Whole group charting - cause and effect
Paperbag challenges to learn design process
- Working Together Reflection
Ideate journaling - Looking in the community

Week 2 Jan 20-23

Introduce read aloud Hugo Cabret
Study biographies - Individual/Partner activities
Learn, practice and write up interview questions
Ideate journaling - Looking in the community
Connecting to Experts in the Community

Week 3 Jan 26-30

Understanding “Where Do Ideas Come From?”
Study biographies - Individual/Partner activities
January 27th
- Larry Rosenstock & Rob Riordian expert Interview
Ideate journaling - emerging ideas?
January 30th
- David Malmuth & Pete Garcia - I.D.E.A. LLC District (Innovation, design, education & arts)

Week 4 Feb 2-6

Empathize & Define- Begin interviews of community members
Study biographies - Individual/Partner activities
February 2nd 10:45-11:45am- San Diego Humane Society
February 3rd 10:15-11:15am - Pacific Preschool Fieldwork

Week 5 Feb 9-13

Ideate Drafts & critique - Business Plan
Group Mind-mapping/mission statement
Ideate journaling
Fieldwork

Week 6 Feb 16-20

Ideate Drafts & critique - Business Plan
Ideate journaling
Fieldwork
February 20th - New Children’s Museum Visit 9:30-11:30am

Week 7 Feb 23-27

Prototype/Product Draft #1 & critique - Business Plan
- Product Write-Up
Marketing Plan - Business Plan
Resume Template

Caitlin Resume Template

Week 8 Mar 2-6

Prototype/Product Draft #2 & critique - Business Plan
Marketing Plan - Business Plan

Week 9 Mar 9-12

Final Prototype/Product - Business Plan
Finalize all business plans
Prepare presentations for exhibition

Week 10 Mar 17-20

Prepare for exhibition
- Invite community members
- IDEATE Exhibition Script
  
  IDEATE Project Reflection
  
  IDEATE Journal Rubric
Mar 19th Exhibition

A Few Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3

Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.5

Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5

With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 4 here.)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.6

With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.4

Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.5

Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Click to learn more at the HTH Website

MS.KIM'S

4TH GRADE CLASS

Click on logos below to see student created business webpages.

Video shared at the Vallecitos Water District Board Meeting

Project Handout

Dearest families,

Where the project was Inspired From:

Design thinking Process

Eight Pillars of Innovation

Resume Template

Caitlin Resume Template

IDEATE Exhibition Script

IDEATE Project Reflection

IDEATE Journal Rubric