BUILD.org Design Challenge is for educators looking to inspire creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in their students.
About the Challenge
BUILD.org Design Challenge is an engaging, project-based learning initiative. It empowers students in grades 7-12 through Human-Centered Design and fosters empathy, prototyping, and testing to address real-world problems. It is a comprehensive program that guides students through five phases of Human-Centered Design: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. This approach places real people at the centre of the design process and encourages students to develop innovative solutions tailored to actual needs. Here’s a closer look at each phase:
- Empathize: Students step into their client’s shoes and understand their experiences and challenges.
- Define: They articulate their clients’ needs and problems clearly.
- Ideate: Creative brainstorming sessions help students devise potential solutions.
- Prototype: Students create tangible models of their solutions.
- Test: These prototypes are tested with users, and feedback is gathered for refinement.
Why Choose the BUILD Design Challenge?
- Engaging and Practical Learning: The challenge offers a hands-on, interactive experience that makes learning both fun and relevant. By solving real-life problems, students see the immediate impact of their work.
- Professional Development for Educators: BUILD.org offers a 60-minute Design Thinking training session for educators. This session enhances their teaching skills and counts toward their professional development certification.
- Empowering Future Innovators: The skills learned through this challenge—empathy, creativity, and problem-solving—are essential for students’ future careers. Whether they become entrepreneurs or innovators in various fields, these skills are invaluable.
How to Get Started?
- Create an Account: Access BUILD’s free curriculum and toolkit by creating an account on their website. These resources are designed to make it easy for educators to deliver high-quality, project-based learning.
- Attend Professional Development: Register for the virtual, trainer-led class to gain insights into implementing the challenge effectively. This interactive training ensures that educators are well-prepared to guide their students.
- Launch the Challenge: With everything set up, educators are ready to deliver the challenge. Students can participate from any internet-connected device, making it a flexible option for both in-person and remote learning environments.
Technical Requirements
- Students will need a computer or mobile device that has internet access
- This experience will use the following sites/platforms: BUILD.org, Google Docs, Padlet, YouTube, Vimeo, EditMate
- For distance learning, you can use any video platform you like for the Challenge – Zoom, GoToMeeting, etc.
Duration
- The BUILD.org Design Challenge can be delivered in as little as 10 hours or be used as a launch pad for additional lessons and curricula that can span an entire semester.
- Educator training commitment is a minimum of 60 minutes.
Impact and Success Stories
BUILD.org Design Challenge has reached over 55,000 students in more than 900 cities, with 2,500 educators trained to deliver this transformative experience. Students and teachers alike have shared their success stories:
- A BUILD student remarked, “The BUILD Design Challenge gave me the chance to experience hands-on learning and see things from a different perspective, which has made me more confident.”
- A BUILD teacher noted, “I love BUILD’s Design Challenge because it gives students an opportunity to let our voices be heard, which can inspire other young people like me to take action in their community.”
Registration
The challenge is free of cost. Educators can register by visiting BUILD.org.
