Second Graders Challenged to Redesign Classroom Stool Using Design Thinking

The students in Sarah Goldrath’s second grade class noticed a problem: The stool the students use to reach the soap dispenser and sink to allow them to wash their hands is not the right height and is noisy! “The students noticed the stool is loud when it’s moved or accidently bumped into,” explains Ms. Goldrath. “The stool is also not deep enough for most second graders’ feet. So, students thought about what their dream stool would look like in order to help them wash their hands.” Ms. Goldrath collaborated with Doron Neuburger, maker educator in the BUILD space, who taught the second graders how to draw three-dimensional models on grid paper. Using design thinking—a process in which decisions are made with the future user at the forefront—students designed stools, and agreed as a class that the stool would need to be made of wood, have multiple steps, and have some sort of sound muffler on the bottom. The class debated about why they thought some features would be more important than others for the new class stool to have. Once the design process is complete, students will start building the stool in the BUILD space.

 

“I will be attending the Ethical Creativity Institute this summer and this project has challenged me to explore design thinking,” says Ms. Goldrath. “I know from design thinking that we can always find ways to improve ourselves and our work.” MORE PHOTOS