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Session 1: Engineering Thinking 🧠

Overview

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

Students explore design thinking methodology, learning to approach problems with creativity, empathy, and systematic innovation.

Session 1: Engineering Thinking

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand all five design thinking stages

  • Apply human-centered design principles

  • Practice rapid ideation techniques

  • Begin their Year B engineering journals

Session 1: Engineering Thinking

Materials Needed

  • đź““ Engineering journals

  • đź“‹ Design thinking guides

  • 🖍️ Colored markers

  • 📦 Prototype materials

  • ⏱️ Timer

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Teresa of Calcutta — She saw needs others missed and designed solutions with love. "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

Scripture

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace." — 1 Peter 4:10

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you gave us creative minds to solve problems and serve others. Help us see needs with compassionate eyes and design solutions with loving hearts. Guide our thinking this year. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (7 minutes)

  1. Welcome to Year B!
  2. New year, new challenges, new growth!
  3. Building on past learning
  4. Design Thinking Introduction:
  5. Used by world's best innovators
  6. Human-centered approach
  7. Not just problem-solving—problem FINDING first!
  8. The Five Stages:
  9. Empathize — Understand people's needs
  10. Define — Frame the real problem
  11. Ideate — Generate many ideas
  12. Prototype — Build to learn
  13. Test — Get feedback, improve

Main Activity: Design Thinking Deep Dive (30 minutes)

Part 1: Empathize Practice (7 minutes)

  • Pair interview activity:
  • "Tell me about a frustration in your school day"
  • "How does that make you feel?"
  • "What have you tried?"

  • "What would be ideal?"

  • LISTEN deeply, don't solve yet!

  • Take notes on partner's experience

Part 2: Define Practice (5 minutes)

  • Analyze interview findings

  • Write a "Point of View" statement:

  • "[Name] needs [need] because [insight]"

  • Turn into "How Might We" question:

  • "How might we help [name] to [need]?"

Part 3: Ideate Practice (7 minutes)

  • Rules for ideation:
  • Defer judgment
  • Go for quantity
  • Build on others' ideas

  • Encourage wild ideas!

  • Rapid brainstorm: Generate 20+ ideas in 5 minutes!

  • Star top 3 concepts

Part 4: Quick Prototype (8 minutes)

  • Choose one idea

  • Build with available materials

  • Low-fidelity is fine—build to LEARN

  • Focus on concept, not perfection

Part 5: Test & Feedback (3 minutes)

  • Share prototype with partner

  • Get honest feedback

  • What works? What's confusing?

  • Note improvements

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

Year B Journal Setup: 1. Design name page 2. Write: "A design thinker..." 3. Draw the 5 stages with your own icons 4. Reflection: "My strength is ___, I want to grow in ___"

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Insights — "What surprised you about design thinking?"
  2. Year Preview — "This method will guide all our work!"
  3. Closing Prayer — "God, thank you for minds that can create. Help us design with empathy and love. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Practiced empathetic listening

  • Created clear problem statement

  • Generated multiple ideas

  • Built and tested prototype

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Guided interview questions

  • Partner for all activities

  • Simplified prototype focus

For Advanced Students

  • Multiple prototype iterations

  • Deeper empathy research

  • Lead team activities

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Practice design thinking at home! Interview a family member about a daily frustration. Brainstorm solutions together. Build a quick prototype. Design thinking works everywhere!

Teacher Notes

  • This establishes Year B methodology

  • Journal setup is important for year

  • Emphasize empathy as foundation

  • Return to these stages all year

Next: Session 2 — Sphero Sensors