Materials
Xerox or drawing paper and pencils or pens for creating and scoring a rubric.
Resources
What is Design?
1. Co-construct a rubric with the class.
2. Divide the class into design teams according to assigned scenario/targeted audience.
*note: evaluating each other's work is a sensitive issue at this age group. If you foresee difficulties, pair up students that work well together. In extreme situations, have students evaluate their own design.
3. Have students display their proposal drawings along with their 3-D sketch model.
4. Each person in each team gives a short presentation of his/her product, as the rest of the group uses the rubric chart to evaluate the design. Encourage the listeners to evaluate the design by "putting themselves in the scenario/targeted audience's shoes."
5. Walk around to each team. When necessary, help out in leading a peaceful and productive discussion. Encourage the listeners to look for uniqueness in each design.
Gather the teams back together, as a class. Have each team talk about a design that they all agreed was successful in finding a solution to their scenario problem. Some questions to ask:
- How was it successful?
- What unique qualities did it have?
- What challenges did you have in designing your product?
Extensions: Students can continue on to the last stage in the design process by creating a life-size prototype of their concept chair. The scenario groups may continue working together as a design team to create their prototypes. They can either choose one design that best fits the solution to their scenario problem or combine their designs to make a better solution.