Design Challenge Archive:
Where we've been and what we've accomplished
Check out our work from the previous years. If you have any questions or want more information on our challenges, drop us a line.
WESTWOOD FAMILY TREE
SPRING 2019
"How can we use statistics and other sources of data to understand what our community has in common?"
Westwood High School's theme for the 2018-2019 school year was The Westwood Family Tree. Our school goal was to grow together as a family through storytelling, fellowship, and overall community-building. Studio D joined in on this theme by learning about the members of the Westwood family through interviews, surveys, and other forms of data collection in order to create a real family tree!
SPRING 2019
"How can we use statistics and other sources of data to understand what our community has in common?"
Westwood High School's theme for the 2018-2019 school year was The Westwood Family Tree. Our school goal was to grow together as a family through storytelling, fellowship, and overall community-building. Studio D joined in on this theme by learning about the members of the Westwood family through interviews, surveys, and other forms of data collection in order to create a real family tree!
DESIGN LIKE A GIRL
WINTER/SPRING 2017/18
"How can we use toys, apps, and games to promote STEM and STEAM subjects to young girls?"
With the help of Real World Scholars, Studio D wrote grants to turn classrooms into educational corporations (EdCorps) in order to create and sell products to a real world audience. Students used this support to learn about STEAM subjects, the disparity between men and women in STEAM fields, and how educational games, toys, and apps are developed. Teams utilized this foundational knowledge to create their own educational toys, apps, and games to promote STEAM subjects to young girls.
WINTER/SPRING 2017/18
"How can we use toys, apps, and games to promote STEM and STEAM subjects to young girls?"
With the help of Real World Scholars, Studio D wrote grants to turn classrooms into educational corporations (EdCorps) in order to create and sell products to a real world audience. Students used this support to learn about STEAM subjects, the disparity between men and women in STEAM fields, and how educational games, toys, and apps are developed. Teams utilized this foundational knowledge to create their own educational toys, apps, and games to promote STEAM subjects to young girls.
SIMPLE TASK MINI-CHALLENGE
FALL 2017
"How can we make a machine that completes a simple task in the most complicated manner?"
Design teams began this mini-challenge by researching the history of Rube Goldberg machines, their prominence in media, and award-winning examples from the Purdue University engineering team. Students used their knowledge to plan and create their own Rube Goldberg machines, which were presented to faculty, staff, and arts/engineering classes.
FALL 2017
"How can we make a machine that completes a simple task in the most complicated manner?"
Design teams began this mini-challenge by researching the history of Rube Goldberg machines, their prominence in media, and award-winning examples from the Purdue University engineering team. Students used their knowledge to plan and create their own Rube Goldberg machines, which were presented to faculty, staff, and arts/engineering classes.
HUMANS OF WESTWOOD
SPRING 2017
"How might we use art and empathy to tell the real stories of the faculty, staff, and students of Westwood High?"
Studio D students started this challenge with a look at Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York project, which includes multiple books and social media outlets. Students were inspired by Stanton's ability tell others' stories, and decided to try it for themselves. They studied how to conduct effective interviews, as well as symbolism and color theory in literature and art in order to create art pieces based on the stories of faculty, staff, and students they had never met before. Upon completion of their art pieces and artist statements, the students surprised their subjects with the custom art pieces.
SPRING 2017
"How might we use art and empathy to tell the real stories of the faculty, staff, and students of Westwood High?"
Studio D students started this challenge with a look at Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York project, which includes multiple books and social media outlets. Students were inspired by Stanton's ability tell others' stories, and decided to try it for themselves. They studied how to conduct effective interviews, as well as symbolism and color theory in literature and art in order to create art pieces based on the stories of faculty, staff, and students they had never met before. Upon completion of their art pieces and artist statements, the students surprised their subjects with the custom art pieces.
MUSEM OF LIFE SCIENCE (M.O.L.S.)
WINTER/SPRING 2017
"How might we create a museum that explains/ illustrates important topics in Biology?"
Students began this challenge by investigating the form and function of museums around the world, which concluded with a trip to the SC State Museum. Students learned the benefit of interactive exhibits as a method of teaching. At the same time, students took a deep dive into the South Carolina standards for Biology, selecting major units of study in order to conduct in-depth research. They used this knowledge to create interactive exhibits that illustrated the major biological concepts. These exhibits were then sent to EdVenture for display during the Maker Day event.
WINTER/SPRING 2017
"How might we create a museum that explains/ illustrates important topics in Biology?"
Students began this challenge by investigating the form and function of museums around the world, which concluded with a trip to the SC State Museum. Students learned the benefit of interactive exhibits as a method of teaching. At the same time, students took a deep dive into the South Carolina standards for Biology, selecting major units of study in order to conduct in-depth research. They used this knowledge to create interactive exhibits that illustrated the major biological concepts. These exhibits were then sent to EdVenture for display during the Maker Day event.
I'M NOT LOVIN' IT
SPRING 2016
"How can we convince our community that healthy food production is important for humans and the environment?"
Have you ever heard the old adage "you are what you eat"? Student designers used this adage as a launchpad to study food production and its impact on the environment and overall health and wellness. They visited City Roots Farm and local farmers markets to learn about the benefits of local and organic foods, as well as the business of agriculture. Using this knowledge, design teams created products to inform their audience about specific topics related to food production, health, and the environment.
SPRING 2016
"How can we convince our community that healthy food production is important for humans and the environment?"
Have you ever heard the old adage "you are what you eat"? Student designers used this adage as a launchpad to study food production and its impact on the environment and overall health and wellness. They visited City Roots Farm and local farmers markets to learn about the benefits of local and organic foods, as well as the business of agriculture. Using this knowledge, design teams created products to inform their audience about specific topics related to food production, health, and the environment.
GLOBALIZE13
FALL/WINTER 2015
"How might we use the 5G process to become modern day abolitionists?"
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, Studio D partnered with Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives to take part in the Globalize13 service learning curriculum. Students studied aspects of human trafficking and modern day slavery in order to create art pieces, multimedia products, and other products that were shared both in a multi-day schoolwide event and a national campaign. You can learn more about Globalize13 HERE.
FALL/WINTER 2015
"How might we use the 5G process to become modern day abolitionists?"
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, Studio D partnered with Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives to take part in the Globalize13 service learning curriculum. Students studied aspects of human trafficking and modern day slavery in order to create art pieces, multimedia products, and other products that were shared both in a multi-day schoolwide event and a national campaign. You can learn more about Globalize13 HERE.
THE MACGYVER MINI-CHALLENGE
FALL 2015
"How might we use an odd assortment of materials to create a useful object for daily use?"
To kickstart the school year, students were introduced to the ultimate design thinker, MacGyver! They watched a clip of the classic television show, and reflected on his ability to problem solve using only the materials around him. Students were tasked with creating an item for daily use, utilizing only the materials provided: a paper bag, straw, cardboard, and more. Students created blueprints sketches, prototypes, and pitches to argue the usefulness of their creations.
FALL 2015
"How might we use an odd assortment of materials to create a useful object for daily use?"
To kickstart the school year, students were introduced to the ultimate design thinker, MacGyver! They watched a clip of the classic television show, and reflected on his ability to problem solve using only the materials around him. Students were tasked with creating an item for daily use, utilizing only the materials provided: a paper bag, straw, cardboard, and more. Students created blueprints sketches, prototypes, and pitches to argue the usefulness of their creations.
BIG PICTURE: SMALL SCREEN
WINTER/SPRING 2014
"How might we promote awareness and educate our peers and community about human rights violations both globally and locally?"
Students began by defining the words “human rights” and were introduced to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Students learned about the creation of human rights by the United Nations and began to see that even though this document is in place, violations occur daily both here at home and around the world. They wanted to find a way to bring these violations into the light, and, by educating others, inspire change. They wrote, filmed, and edited original documentaries shown in our first ever Studio D Film Festival, Films at the Wood.
WINTER/SPRING 2014
"How might we promote awareness and educate our peers and community about human rights violations both globally and locally?"
Students began by defining the words “human rights” and were introduced to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Students learned about the creation of human rights by the United Nations and began to see that even though this document is in place, violations occur daily both here at home and around the world. They wanted to find a way to bring these violations into the light, and, by educating others, inspire change. They wrote, filmed, and edited original documentaries shown in our first ever Studio D Film Festival, Films at the Wood.
JUST ZOO IT
SPRING 2013
"How might we redesign historical propaganda to bring awareness to the conservation efforts taking place at the Riverbanks Zoo?"
Student design teams worked collaboratively with the Riverbanks Zoo to bring awareness to many of the conservation efforts and programs that are offered. Students investigated historical propaganda and utilized Photoshop to redesign the propaganda for a modern use.
SPRING 2013
"How might we redesign historical propaganda to bring awareness to the conservation efforts taking place at the Riverbanks Zoo?"
Student design teams worked collaboratively with the Riverbanks Zoo to bring awareness to many of the conservation efforts and programs that are offered. Students investigated historical propaganda and utilized Photoshop to redesign the propaganda for a modern use.
OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE
FALL 2013
"How might we design an outdoor learning space that is both functional and sustainable?"
Students were challenged to design an outdoor learning space for our school that could both meet the needs of its users and have a positive impact on our natural surroundings. Students designed, created, and built pieces for our outdoor classroom space using reclaimed or repurposed materials, including but not limited to pallet benches, teaching podiums, wheelchair ramps, storage benches and tables.
FALL 2013
"How might we design an outdoor learning space that is both functional and sustainable?"
Students were challenged to design an outdoor learning space for our school that could both meet the needs of its users and have a positive impact on our natural surroundings. Students designed, created, and built pieces for our outdoor classroom space using reclaimed or repurposed materials, including but not limited to pallet benches, teaching podiums, wheelchair ramps, storage benches and tables.
TRASH TO TREASURE
FALL 2012
"How might we re-purpose previously discarded materials to make an impact on our community?"
Students designed and created products for members of the community that both met needs and built relationships between the community and the school.
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THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT
AUGUST/SEPT 2012
"Design a “power app” that uniquely reflects your most desirable
learning attribute."
Students are leaders and designers. Each one of them has dynamic and diverse talents, and school should serve as a platform to explore those. We want all students to understand, appreciate, and use the various gifts that each one of them brings to any learning experience. This short design challenge allowed students to learn our design process in a safe manner while creating a stunning end product that instilled confidence moving forward.
AUGUST/SEPT 2012
"Design a “power app” that uniquely reflects your most desirable
learning attribute."
Students are leaders and designers. Each one of them has dynamic and diverse talents, and school should serve as a platform to explore those. We want all students to understand, appreciate, and use the various gifts that each one of them brings to any learning experience. This short design challenge allowed students to learn our design process in a safe manner while creating a stunning end product that instilled confidence moving forward.
THE MARSHMALLOW CHALLENGE
FALL 2012
18 minutes.
20 sticks of spaghetti.
One yard of tape.
One yard of string.
One marshmallow.
FALL 2012
18 minutes.
20 sticks of spaghetti.
One yard of tape.
One yard of string.
One marshmallow.