October 25, 2010

By: Elizabeth R. from South Saint Paul, MN
Comments: 23

Posted By: Elizabeth Roszak
On: 4/1/2008 11:45:09 AM

As the school year has progressed I am realizing that I teach more design lessons than I thought. None of the lessons I have taught are designing based from our time in New York last summer and I would like them to be. I have taught design lessons in graphic design(5th grade:discussing media and persuasion through the development of a soda pop brand), fashion design(Kindergarten: discussing how we decorate our bodies for celebrations and creating hats as our design product),furniture design(5th grade: building display and storaga units for thier art work)etc. Is there a way that I could use any of these lessons in conjunction with Design for the other 90%?

Posted By: Cecile Jenevein
On: 4/1/2008 12:20:11 PM

I found that I had a few old lessons (biology) that met the design criteria that I learned about in NY. However, the NY trip and everything I learned on design (as well as from these conversations) did give me insight into changing many of my old lessons into a design lesson. It really invigorated me to come up with new lessons to reflecting this theme.

Posted By: Daarina Abdus-Samad
On: 4/8/2008 2:25:52 AM

Hi Cecile, I am learning that design can become a means to introduce consciousness about our world, environment and others less fortunate to students. The problem solving strategies used in designing solutions simulates examples of how they could (perhaps) make a difference. The scenario, even if the design does not meet the criteria, brings an awareness of the importance of design perception. Daarina Abdus-Samad

Posted By: Don Domes
On: 4/16/2008 4:02:31 AM

Hi Elizabeth, I am doing a lot with Design for the other 90% at a variety of levels. Habitat is a large and expensive level, tools and water pumps are relatively cheap. My suggestion is focus on human need. Look at the body mechanics and form of the human. For example consider who ever came up with the spork (blend of spoon and fork). Any item that meets basic human need can have Design for the Other 90% potential. We are planning to plant a garden with drip irrigation for water this spring. The students need to design the tools to prepare the soil! Give them wood as their only material and let them design a digging and tilling tool. Wood is easily cut and tested. If full size objects are not practicle for your classroom then build models and if models are not possible then do drawings. I am finding Design for the Other 90% really grabs my high school students as they generally want to help others. Don Domes Hillsboro High School

Posted By: Mercedes Kuehner
On: 11/27/2009 1:11:46 PM

Recently our school had decieded to do a project within the community. Our goal was to create a musuem-like room with many artifacts from the community- then and now. It hasn't really gotten off the ground yet, we are looking at the research aspect of the community first. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them. I was considering making a piece of this phase of how to make the community better and identifying some of the issues.

Posted By: Sarah Rooney
On: 11/29/2009 11:55:41 AM

My tenth graders loved the Design for the other 90% website. I used the site to introduce my first lesson that I did for Cooperhewitt. Teaching in Philadelphia, many of my students come from impoverished areas. Those students realized how much more they have due to simple resources and geographic location after reviewing the site. I am always trying to get my students to understand that due to their geographic circumstances, they have a huge advantage in being able to truley be whatever they want to be. When students saw that so many people struggle just to get clean water, I think that many of their eyes opened to just how many opportunities they have at their fingertips.