Step 4 - Demonstrate

This challenge is open to all K-16 educators and their students. Please do adjust the flow as you see fit based 
on subject, grade level, available time, and student's learning needs.

Highlights of your students’ design learning challenge final projects will be gladly posted on the project website:
www.designlearning.us 


Step 4 - Demonstrate  |  Overview
The following is comprehensive approach designed to provide students alternative means to showing evidence of what they have learned.  It is likely that these activities will take more than one 50-minute class period. Please feel free to adjust activities based on what works best for you, your students, as well as their learning needs. 

Guide students as they decide which Form of Design Solution they will use – based on the context of your classroom (subject area, curriculum content, performance standards, areas of interest, etc.), targeted problem statements, and critical questions. 

Forms of Design Solution options include:
Art: 2D or 3D Expression Design
Design: Product, Communication, Experience, Service Design
Humanities: Human-Centered Design within Modern Day, Future Trajectory, or Retrospective Context
Science: Physical or Natural System Design
Technology: Software System Design
Engineering: Structural System Design
Math: Mathematical Model Design

Invite your students to use their creative problem solving skills to make sense of what they have learned from engaging in Steps 1, 2, and 3. Encourage them to put their understandings of “mindset“ dispositions to work as they take license to unpack decisions that challenged their person of historical importance. Students are free to re-write history, adjust their person’s path as they navigated a dilemma, challenge, or adversity. 

The goal is for teams to become aware of their selected person's mindset dispositions (as well as their own), successfully collaborate with one another when faced with adversity, and know when they are making good choices. As purposeful makers, students will aim to propose creative, innovative, and sustainable design solutions that are relevant as well as doable using accessible resources.


5 minutes
In a guided discussion, students make sense of Formative Assessment Findings.

8 minutes
Teams identify Design Solution Indicators of Success and Finalize Plan of Action:

Note: Teams are the primary authors of the Design Solution Indicators of Success. Identifying these criteria not only help students to clarify the issues at hand alongside their design decisions - but also causes them to take responsibility for the quality of outcome of their project.
  • Teams identify 3 key criteria as indicators of a successful design solution as defined by the problem statement

  • The indicators will be used to check against critical questions to ensure consistent alignment of priorities

  • The indicators will assist with making effective design decisions throughout the creative process (examples: see Bucky's Dilemma Options as well as Feynman's Dilemma Options) 

  • Update Plan of Action.

10 minutes
Teams Iterate Top 3 Design Ideas, Generate Visualizations, and Create Rough Prototypes:
  • Iterate Top 3 Design Ideas
  • Generate Visualizations
  • Choose Form of Design Solution

  • Create rough prototypes using accessible materials and/or found objects

  • Update Plan of Action.

17 minutes
Develop Final Design Solution and Check Decisions Against Indicators:
  • Select and develop final design solution
  • Check design decisions against critical questions and indicators of success

  • Adjust final design solution as needed
  • Construct final prototype of design solution
  • Finalize Plan of Action.

10 minutes
Prepare and Present Final Design Solution:
  • Produce storyboard and/or concept map to represent final design solution

  • Present problem statement, critical questions, and indicators of success

  • Present storyboard or (concept map) and prototype
  • Present design decisions and impact on final solution proposal

  • Classmates use Project Score Card to rate each proposal
  • Classmates offer Constructive Suggestions for Improvements

  • Teams consider feedback and input, adjust Final Design Solution Proposal

Students Submit to Teacher