Year 9 Extension class ‘Life Hack’

Continuing New Zealand’s strong history of innovation, Year 9COJT students spent a morning in a session with MOTAT educators where they applied design-thinking principles to tackle a relevant, contemporary problem using everyday materials. 

Firstly groups worked together to ‘empathise’ by identifying issues with either umbrellas or crutches such as comfort or functionality in different situations.  Next, they brainstormed a range of solutions before selecting one which they used available materials such as cardboard, foam, straws and basic electronics such as lights, horns and fans to construct a prototype.  Students then had a short time in which to prepare a pitch for their product to be presented to the rest of the class.

The students certainly rose to the challenge with a wide range of products being presented and the groups responding creatively and knowledgeably to questions that were raised by their peers and the MOTAT educators.