Standard 4: Innovative Designer
Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions. [with sub-standards 4a-4d]
See all Instructional Ideas for Standard 4: Innovative Designer.
4a. Know and use a deliberate design process
Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
Know and use a deliberate design process | Designing a Solution | 3-5, 6-8
This instructional activity walks the students through the engineering design process to create and develop unique solutions to real-world problems. This activity can be adapted for many different subject areas and grade levels. It promotes collaboration and problem-solving skills. Students will design and produce original solutions and share these solutions … Read more
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | 3rd - 5th, 6th - 8th
Test and improve prototypes in a design process| Saving the 3 Little Pigs | K-2
Students will utilize the Engineering Design Process to build strong houses for the 3 Little Pigs. The students will work to build the strongest houses they can with the materials from the story (straw, sticks and bricks) to withstand the breath of “The Big Band Wolf” (hair dryer).
English Language Arts, Science | Kindergarten - 2nd
Plan a research brief | Be US Census Bureau’s Chief Analyst (Lesson 1 of 5) | 6-8
In Part 1, students develop a research and analysis plan; they will select and identify the variables required for their research. In this multi-step project, students become the Chief Data Analyst for the US Census Bureau Chief and write a report for a governor of a US state to answer … Read more
Know and use a deliberate design process | Little Engineers | K-2
Students will be introduced to the Engineering Design Process. A video and class discussion will familiarize students with real-life application of the Engineering Design Process and how to perform each step. They will then be tasked to do a small explorative project to help Jessi (from the SciShow Kids video) … Read more
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | Kindergarten - 2nd
Know and use a deliberate design process | Designing a Writing Piece | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-10, 11-12
Students will learn and utilize a design thinking process through the art of writing. The students will learn a systematic writing process that directly aligns to the design thinking process, focused on a purpose and pursuit of improvement.
English Language Arts | 11th-12th, 3rd - 5th, 6th - 8th, 9th-10th, Kindergarten - 2nd
4b. Use digital tools to plan a design
Students select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks.
Know and use a deliberate design process | Designing a Solution | 3-5, 6-8
This instructional activity walks the students through the engineering design process to create and develop unique solutions to real-world problems. This activity can be adapted for many different subject areas and grade levels. It promotes collaboration and problem-solving skills. Students will design and produce original solutions and share these solutions … Read more
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | 3rd - 5th, 6th - 8th
Plan a research brief | Be US Census Bureau’s Chief Analyst (Lesson 1 of 5) | 6-8
In Part 1, students develop a research and analysis plan; they will select and identify the variables required for their research. In this multi-step project, students become the Chief Data Analyst for the US Census Bureau Chief and write a report for a governor of a US state to answer … Read more
4c. Develop & test prototypes
Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.
Know and use a deliberate design process | Designing a Solution | 3-5, 6-8
This instructional activity walks the students through the engineering design process to create and develop unique solutions to real-world problems. This activity can be adapted for many different subject areas and grade levels. It promotes collaboration and problem-solving skills. Students will design and produce original solutions and share these solutions … Read more
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | 3rd - 5th, 6th - 8th
Test and improve prototypes in a design process| Saving the 3 Little Pigs | K-2
Students will utilize the Engineering Design Process to build strong houses for the 3 Little Pigs. The students will work to build the strongest houses they can with the materials from the story (straw, sticks and bricks) to withstand the breath of “The Big Band Wolf” (hair dryer).
English Language Arts, Science | Kindergarten - 2nd
Know and use a deliberate design process | Little Engineers | K-2
Students will be introduced to the Engineering Design Process. A video and class discussion will familiarize students with real-life application of the Engineering Design Process and how to perform each step. They will then be tasked to do a small explorative project to help Jessi (from the SciShow Kids video) … Read more
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | Kindergarten - 2nd
4d. Tolerance for ambiguity
Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.
Know and use a deliberate design process | Designing a Solution | 3-5, 6-8
This instructional activity walks the students through the engineering design process to create and develop unique solutions to real-world problems. This activity can be adapted for many different subject areas and grade levels. It promotes collaboration and problem-solving skills. Students will design and produce original solutions and share these solutions … Read more
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | 3rd - 5th, 6th - 8th
Practice perseverance | Try a New Strategy | 3-5
Students will set a foundation for using multiple strategies and perseverance to pursue difficult tasks or answers. This activity asks students to perform engaging “minute to win it” games to perform challenging tasks and altering approaches to better reach ideal outcomes.
English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies | 3rd - 5th
Practice perseverance | Try, Try Again! | K-2
Students will perform a challenging task that will require perseverance. You will then engage in a conversation about what perseverance is and when or how they may need to use perseverance in their lives (both in and out of school). Students will identify and share more examples of when perseverance … Read more
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | Kindergarten - 2nd
Test and improve prototypes in a design process| Saving the 3 Little Pigs | K-2
Students will utilize the Engineering Design Process to build strong houses for the 3 Little Pigs. The students will work to build the strongest houses they can with the materials from the story (straw, sticks and bricks) to withstand the breath of “The Big Band Wolf” (hair dryer).
English Language Arts, Science | Kindergarten - 2nd
Plan a research brief | Be US Census Bureau’s Chief Analyst (Lesson 1 of 5) | 6-8
In Part 1, students develop a research and analysis plan; they will select and identify the variables required for their research. In this multi-step project, students become the Chief Data Analyst for the US Census Bureau Chief and write a report for a governor of a US state to answer … Read more