Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
- Click here to see more: NEVR – Design2Innovate: introduction to design thinking
STEM through Design Thinking
The Design Thinking model applies to STEM as it requires discipline knowledge from each of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to ideate, design a prototype, test the prototype and come up with a possible solution. The Empathise and Define stages speak to the human centred priority within Design Thinking.
At its simplest, design thinking is a creative, team-based problem-solving process that encourages failure and is driven by empathy.
It goes a little like this. Before even thinking about solutions, you must empathise with the person or people who will use whatever you develop. This means putting yourself in the end user’s shoes and defining what they need through experience.
Monash Tech School
As members of the Oakleigh Education Plan, we have a unique opportunity to create an exceptional Design Thinking learning experience for our students. Our partnership with Monash Tech School provides us access to highly specialised expertise in Design Thinking, professional learning through the Design2Innovate program and world class facilities. Our challenge is to elevate and innovate Design Thinking and STEM learning across our three schools through an established set of shared beliefs and understandings about Design Thinking to engage and challenge our students in their learning.
In deepening and strengthening our capabilities in Design Thinking, we aim to build on the work we have done thus far and evolve our practice model so that we are able to provide students a seamless and consistent sequence of learning from primary into secondary learning built around a common pedagogical framework that can also be applied to other areas of learning across the curriculum.
Our goal is that throughout 2023 and 2024, our three schools work together to build teacher capability and practice using Design Thinking so that we engage, challenge and empower our students to become creative and critical thinkers, able to develop innovative solutions to a range of problems across the curriculum.
We began with two questions:
1. If we could create a STEM teaching and learning model built on Design Thinking that was everything we (our teachers and students) wanted it to be, what would it look like?
2. What are our attitudes, beliefs and aspirations when it comes to STEM and Design Thinking?
Our 4 Stage Plan
Stage 1 – Understand
- Understand our attitudes and beliefs re: STEM teaching and learning . (with MoveMerge and MTS)
- To help define a clear challenge statement that will generate ideas for how SOC, HPS and OSPS might progress Design Thinking and STEM.
Stage 2 – Identify
- Generate new ideas and innovative approaches – what do we want STEM to ‘look’ like? (with MTS)
Stage 3 – Create
- To support the OEP schools in creating a shared STEM model built on Design Thinking with an explicit focus on teacher capability and student learning. (with MTS and MoveMerge)
- Development of a scope and sequence for STEM learning across the Learning Precinct. (SOC, OSPS, HPS)
Stage 4 – Develop
- Build our collective capability in Design Thinking throughout 2023-2024 that enables and drives high quality, engaging and empowering teacher and student engagement and learning. Continue to design trial, review, refine, re-test approaches and strategies utilising design thinking throughout 2023.
- Identify the data to be used to evaluate, measure and monitor teacher capability building, student engagement and connected, including establishing baseline data.
- Document this work as part of the Oakleigh Education Plan and School Annual Implementation Plans. (SOC, OSPS, HPS)
SparkTank Technologies – Electronic brainstorming tool designed to simplify facilitation. All data is captured and extracted in a report. Anyone can facilitate an ideation session. Tool is developed on research into creativity and design digital brainstorming collaboration software
Stages 1 and 2:
May 16 – 27 Teacher engagement and collaboration
Understanding the thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and aspirations of teachers and leaders and what the barriers and enablers are to creating an exceptional STEM learning experience for students.
June 7 Ideation and collaboration
Identify and define a clear challenge statement that will generate ideas for how SOC, HPS and OSPS progress our STEM initiative and work together.
Stage 3 – Create:
Terms 3 and 4, 2022
Review the MoveMerge report, outlining the findings and feedback from the Spark Tank Ideate session run with teachers at the end of term 2.
Present the findings as documented in the report compiled by MoveMerge to the SOC School Improvement Team and staff. These outcomes will be shared with primary colleagues as STEM leaders from our three schools use the feedback and insights shared by teachers to begin the first stages of shaping the OEP STEM teaching and learning framework. A project timeline outlining high level timeframes and achievement milestones will be available in term 4.
Stage 4 – Develop
2023
Our schools have established Design Thinking Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) which are being supported by a Design Thinking Community of Practice (CoP) involving all schools for 2023. This CoP brings together teachers from our three schools to collaborate and share together, their work, learning and growth in implementing design thinking in their classrooms with students across the curriculum. In addition, our teachers are being supported by a Design Thinking expert from Monash Tech School working with teachers as a critical friend and mentor in small group workshops.
Ideation And Collaboration Software | Sparktank
2022 Highlights and Activities
