Bridge to Design Thinking

Objectives

Introduce Scouts to the concept of design thinking through a fun and creative bridge-building activity.

Introduction/Instructions

Design thinking is a way that we can come up with new ways to do things - in business, in politics, in our communities, and in our own lives. In this activity, we'll explore the process of designing a bridge to meet the needs of a nearby community. The challenge is to create a bridge capable of carrying a 1kg weight over a 30cm gap. Let's embark on this exciting journey!

Explore problems (15 minutes):

Begin by imagining a nearby community that requires a new bridge to cross a river daily. Adult leaders can set the scene through a story or theatre presentation. Discuss the requirements of the bridge, such as its weight - bearing capacity and the need for safe passage for people and food transports.

Generate ideas (10 minutes):

Individually or in pairs, the Scouts will sketch their bridge design ideas on paper. Encourage creativity and innovative thinking. Afterward, share the ideas and collectively vote on the most promising one to move forward with.

Prototype and Test Solutions (20 minutes):

Using the craft materials provided, the Scouts will build their bridge prototypes based on the chosen desi gn. They have around 15 minutes for this phase. Once the prototypes are ready, each scout will have the opportunity to test their bridge's strength. Create a 30cm gap using tables or chairs, and place a weight on the bridge to see if it holds up.

Plan (5 minutes)

After testing the prototypes, the Scouts can decide on which prototype works best. In a real project scenario, this phase might involve community involvement, asking for their views. Plan how you would turn the prototype into a reality. What steps would be needed? What materials?

Reflect (5 minutes)

Now it's time for the Scouts to reflect on their bridge - building process. Encourage discussions on what went well, what could have been done differently, and how the bridges could be improved for broad er rivers, heavier loads, or different materials. They can even return to the ideation stage to try out new ideas.

Conclusion

Through this activity, Scouts have experienced the essence of design thinking by collaboratively creating and testing their bridge designs. Remember, design thinking can be applied to various situations and problems, and with practice, Scouts can become even better problem solvers and innovators. Great job, designers!