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Session 1: Design Process Mastery 📐

Overview

Grades: 5-6 | Duration: 45 minutes | Session: 1 of 17

Students deepen their understanding of design thinking with advanced problem-solving and human-centered design approaches.

Session 1: Design Process Mastery

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Master the five stages of design thinking

  • Apply empathy in problem identification

  • Use iterative prototyping

  • Connect design thinking to Catholic service

Session 1: Design Process Mastery

Materials Needed

  • 📋 Design thinking worksheets

  • 📦 Prototyping materials

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 🖥️ Presentation technology

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Hildegard of Bingen — A true polymath: composer, writer, philosopher, scientist, and mystic. She integrated multiple disciplines in service of God!

Scripture

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." — Colossians 3:23

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you designed the universe with infinite wisdom. Help us become thoughtful designers who use our skills to serve others. May our work honor you. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (8 minutes)

  1. Design Thinking Review:
  2. "You've done design thinking before—now we go deeper!"
  3. The five stages (Stanford d.school model):
    • 💗 EMPATHIZE — Understand users deeply
    • 🎯 DEFINE — Frame the right problem
    • 💡 IDEATE — Generate many solutions
    • 🔧 PROTOTYPE — Build to think
    • 🧪 TEST — Learn and iterate
  4. St. Hildegard:
  5. Medieval genius who integrated faith and learning
  6. Scientist, musician, writer, healer
  7. "Faith doesn't limit learning—it expands it!"
  8. Human-Centered Design:
  9. Design FOR people, not just problems
  10. Empathy is the foundation

Main Activity: Design Challenge Sprint (28 minutes)

Part 1: Empathy Deep Dive (8 minutes)

Challenge: Design something to help a specific person at school

Interview Process:

  • Partner with classmate or imagine a specific person

  • Ask deeper questions:

  • Walk me through your typical day
  • What frustrates you most?
  • When do you feel overwhelmed?

  • What do you wish existed?

  • Listen for emotions, not just facts

  • Note unspoken needs

Part 2: Define the Problem (5 minutes)

  • Write a "How Might We" statement:

  • "How might we help [user] with [problem] so that [outcome]?"

  • Example: "How might we help younger students feel welcome so that they enjoy coming to school?"

  • This reframes problems as opportunities!

Part 3: Rapid Ideation (5 minutes)

  • 10 ideas in 5 minutes—GO!

  • Quantity over quality

  • Wild ideas welcome

  • Build on others' ideas

  • No judgment yet!

Part 4: Prototype (8 minutes)

  • Choose most promising idea

  • Build quick prototype:

  • Sketch, model, or storyboard
  • Just enough to show the concept

  • "Fake it" if needed—it's about testing ideas!

  • Prepare to explain and get feedback

Part 5: Test & Iterate (2 minutes)

  • Share prototype with partner

  • Get honest feedback

  • Note: What works? What needs refinement?

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Write your "How Might We" statement
  2. Sketch your top 3 ideas
  3. Draw your prototype
  4. Write: "Feedback I received..."
  5. Write: "Human-centered design matters because..."

Closing Circle (4 minutes)

  1. Design Principle Share — "What's the most important design thinking insight?"
  2. Service Connection — "How is design thinking Catholic?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "God, help us see others' needs and design solutions with love. May our creativity serve your kingdom. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Conducted empathetic inquiry

  • Created clear problem statement

  • Generated multiple ideas

  • Built testable prototype

  • Incorporated feedback

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Structured interview questions

  • Partner work throughout

  • Template for "How Might We"

For Advanced Students

  • Design for more complex challenge

  • Multiple iteration cycles

  • Create design documentation

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Use design thinking at home! Interview family members about a challenge. Create a "How Might We" statement. Brainstorm solutions together and test one!

Teacher Notes

  • This framework is used throughout the year

  • Post design thinking stages permanently

  • Encourage genuine empathy in interviews

  • Prototypes should be rough—focus on learning

Next: Session 2 — Sphero Advanced