ABSTRACT
Design thinkers might try to solve problems for which there are no current solutions. Besides coming up with solutions to problems, the actual process of engaging in design thinking helps to develop knowledge, skills, and mindsets that are important in K-12 education. Design thinkers are people who can solve complex problems. Design thinking consists of connected process steps, skills, and mindsets. In K-12, design thinking is closest to project-based learning, science investigations, “tech” projects, or maker experiences. A problem space is the broader area of focus in a design challenge. Design thinking is distinguished from other classroom learning experiences by its reliance on empathy development and insights for motivating the process. To brainstorm—to generate ideas, to imagine, or to conceive—is a set of processes for generating and evaluating many ideas that could be solutions to the focused defining statement for the design challenge. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
