Leading design awareness programs in schools
In pursuit of my vision towards creating design awareness programs for schools and colleges, I had an opportunity to visit PUMS government school at Rayamangalam where over 50 students between 6th to 8th grade were picked to attend the session. When I went there, something sparked over a thousand thoughts in me.
I entered the hall and was welcomed with bright smiles from young students, with so much energy and fire in them. I decided to do an icebreaker challenge along with introductions through which I could evaluate the level of their creativity which helped me outline how the session can pan out.
My program then started with the basics of “What is design?” And how design is inspired by everything in nature. Then I talked about some real examples through which the students caught up and gave their own version as well. We then moved on to “What is design thinking” and the design thinking framework. We leveled up but to my surprise, the students grasped on so well.
It was then time to have them work as teams so we divided them into around 8 teams, where each team took one of the existing gaps in the system and we wanted to observe how they solved it. Basic things like designing a school bag, a bench, a board for teachers, etc. The teams were so energetic and the aura in the classroom changed, from when I entered to now, with so many discussions happening and creativity peaking from every corner.
When it was time to present, each team had a product, a name for it, and a whole explanation of why it is better than the existing one and how it would bridge the gap. I was dumbfounded by their ideas and creativity, which could be honed and built. I took that opportunity to talk to them about the future of design and its scope in today’s business world.
When we ended the session, there was a bond, between us, between them, and the basics of design. I am so grateful for this platform and am in pursuit to spread this awareness to more school and college students.
As this sparks the beginning of building design leaders, we have miles to go.
