Teachers in elementary grades are finding that the basics of design are an exciting addition to their young students' curriculum. Science and mathematics teachers at all levels can use design projects to pose problems and encourage constructive thinking about solutions. Teachers report that finding problems is a difficult step for students, but many problems can be identified in everyday living. Some practice in brainstorming ideas and then suggestions that can be translated into an invention can help students build their skills in problem finding. Encourage them to jot down things that are nuisances.
Literature can be a source for problems and inspire thinking about solutions and designs.
The goats want to cross the bridge, but a goat-eating troll always awakens and threatens them. Perhaps the goats are too noisy crossing the wooden bridge. Social concerns can be another focus for design problem solving. For example, designing a lift that helps an elderly relative up a flight of stairs would benefit an audience outside the classroom. Rethinking the fabrication of toys to reduce use of raw materials or suggesting alternative routes to get to school are examples of design projects that could benefit the audience within the classroom.