Design Thinking: Innovation in the Classroom

In addition to teaching two core writing classes to Breakthrough 7^th graders, Clare Dreyfus, a rising senior at Vanderbilt University, also taught a Design Thinking elective in which students conceptualize, build, and refine projects using the tools and technology made available by our host Hillbrook School.

The Idea Lab, or iLab for short, is full of cutting-edge technology and materials: from robotic Lego pieces, to a laser cutter and 3D printer. The iLab’s year-round teacher, Christa Flores, has generously donated her time to supervise the use of the space and support our young teacher.

When I walked in to explore Clare’s class, students were diligently working on different models, inspecting every detail in their design and planning materials to use for their final project. One student was using a metal file to sand the edges of her model house. Another student was using graphic design software to add decorations to his hand-made slingshot.

As I walked around, one student, Antonio, was very eager to show me every part of the iLab. He explained to me how the 3D printer worked, led me to the laser cutter to watch how one of his classmates was preparing flame designs to decorate his slingshot with, and later led me to the back closet.

“This is where the knowledge starts!” said Antonio, spreading his arms open across all the materials in the closet. The way he presented each wooden stick, pipe cleaner, and cardboard piece to me made it seem like each item was the greatest building material known to the world.

He showed me the different materials he himself had used to create his archery bow and then led me to his personal cubicle on the wall where he stored all the materials he was using for class. From a small plastic box, he pulled out a sequence of three objects: a curved wooden stick, then a curved piece of cardboard, and finally, the laser cut wooden bow he was working on. He explained to me that the first two items were prototypes of his final project. His inspiration for the bow, he explained, actually came from the curved wooden stick he had found somewhere outside.


"Ms. Flores said we steal nature's forms to make our own designs. You can't find replicas of a shape in nature so that's when we make our own designs."  

"You cannot find the same shape in nature again," further explained Clare. "In order to share the same design with others and continue replicating it, like the curved wooden stick Antonio found, you must create your own".

He then went on to explain how he had used the laser cutter to create four identical pieces that he glued together to make his final design for the bow.

I was impressed that after only four weeks, Antonio knew his way around the iLab extremely well and owned his project from the very conception of the idea for the bow. Clare says the most important thing she has taught in her class is that students create everything on their own. Often students wanted to use instructions online or purchase ready-made parts. She challenged them to use their creativity to lead the entire process of creating and building themselves. She also wanted her class to be a change of pace from the students’ other courses.

"Everyone! Let’s evaluate Anthony's slingshot!" called out Clare.

As students crowded around Anthony’s project, they gave constructive feedback on how to improve his model and prototypes for the final project. They took the learning and evaluation into their own hands.

Clare’s Design Thinking class is about self-direction and discovery. She herself had to learn how to use the equipment at the beginning of the summer and, as such, was learning along with her students how to build and create in the iLab. At first, she led them through smaller projects such as creating nametags on the laser cutter, and making diamonds with the 3D printer. Now her students completely own the process and only turn to Clare for a little guidance or supportive feedback.

It’s fitting that a Design Thinking class is taught at Breakthrough Silicon Valley, where our students live surrounded by leading technology companies. Students’ creativity, innovation, and hard work were extremely charming qualities to find in the 7^th and 8^th graders working in the iLab this summer. But perhaps the most charming moment of my visit was when I told Antonio I was going to write this blog entry about his class that would feature his explanations of the projects.

In a manner most fitting of the awe and creativity in this 7^th grade boy, he raised his arms in the air and exclaimed victoriously, “I’m going to be on the internet!”