WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

writing down, drawing, and sharing as many ideas as possible on the whiteboard 

to select the our main project concept that you and a partner will develop through prototyping

ACTIVITY MATERIALS



3 big white sheets (A0 size)

(if you want to conduct the brainstorming on tables)

Post-its

(if you want to conduct the brainstorming on the wall)

BRAINSTORMING PARTS

30 MINS

Small Group Breakout

A sprint where you'll rotate between stations, spending 10 minutes at each. Your task is to list as many illnesses as possible within specific categories. By the end, you'll choose one health issue to focus on for the rest of the studio.

We’ll focus on defining the type of device for your chosen health issue. Consider in which category it aligns best.

Brainstorm as many potential solutions as possible within these categories until your reach 2 main ideas.

Be prepared to share your ideas.

Everyone will speak and draw on the whiteboard.

Project Selection 

30 MINS

Types of Devices

15 MINS

We will break out into 3 groups, each team tackling a different category at their stations (there should be a big piece of paper and markers to write with). You will have 10 minutes at each station to jot down as many illnesses as possible related to the following categories. After 10 minutes, we'll rotate stations so that everyone contributes to each category:

1st

~ 30min

Station A:

Chronic Conditions

diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, etc

Station B:

Injury & Recovery

fractures, post-surgery recovery, mobility impairments, etc.

Station C:

Sensory & Cognitive Impairments: 

include vision or hearing loss, dementia, etc.

Select your health issue

You will choose the health issue that you will focus on designing for during the remainder of the studio.

Pair up!

2nd

~ 10min

You've completed the sprint and shared out ideas as a class. The next part of our brainstorming will be defining the type of devices. Which category best aligns with your chosen health issue? Think of as many ways as possible that you could solve it.

1. Monitoring & Maintenance: Devices that track and monitor health conditions, providing real-time data or alerts (e.g., heart rate monitors, glucose sensors)
2. Assistive & Therapeutic: Assist with physical or cognitive impairments, providing support, therapy, or enhancing capabilities (mobility aids, exoskeletons, pain relief devices, or cognitive support tools for memory and orientation).
3. Preventive & Protective: Offer early detection of symptoms, devices that improve posture to prevent injuries, or sensory aids that protect against further sensory decline.

3rd

~ 10min

4th

As you complete this portion, talk through your ideas with your peers and teacher. The goal at the end of the day if to submit 2 ideas for your one health issue.

Make a sketch of one of your favorite ideas, add in labels to clearly indicate the parts and components.

~ 15min

Submit in the 'responses tab' a post with 2 ideas for you one health issue (topics of interest). 

For each health issue and the solution device include the following information:

• Explain why you'd like to explore the topic further
• Is this device designed from personal experience? For the future? or for someone else?
• What type of device could this become? 
• (Add your sketches)

5th

~ 10min

Ideas can come from your future fictional worlds, from natural inspiration or some of your favorite activities. 

GROUP BRAINSTORMING RULES

Come up with many ideas, do not stop at 1 or 2. This is not a time to decide what your project will be, it is a time to share as many possibilities of what it could be. 

Do not put down other's ideas when they share. Critiquing ideas too soon could cause people to be self-conscious and not want to speak. We want to be judgement free when brainstorming.

Share ideas that you can build & test, not fantasy.  Wild ideas are good, but if the wild idea cannot be tested in our studio, it is not the right choice. We cannot build jetpacks, shoot lasers, or time travel. What could you build a testable prototype of?

TIME TO BRAINSTORM!