We live in a world that changes rapidly and presents new challenges with no known solutions. We were all thrust into a situation where we had to adjust our lives with no roadmap. It is certain that our students will face challenges in their future where no directions are provided. It is important for students to create, problem solve real world issues, code, design, question, research with discernment, and communicate in a variety of ways with skill. It is no longer enough for students to follow set instructions to achieve a specified goal. Rather, with the skills to think critically and the confidence in themselves, students are able to face and solve unpredictable challenges.

Students practice a way of thinking and learning that is specifically designed for new challenges that need new solutions. The mindset where we embrace a process is called Design Thinking. The process is non-linear but takes the thinker through a process that includes empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. In this process, each conversation gives us perspective, each trial helps to improve, each prototype gets us closer to a solution, each “failure” gives important information, and each bit of feedback is crucial. Our students get specific practice at design thinking. They learn to work together in new ways and to build on each other’s ideas.