by: Arshia Rampuria and Ruhi Khanna

The Design Thinking Sprint in correspondence with the zoo trip was focused on creating a habitat based on the needs of a selected zoo animal. It focused on understanding the animal’s needs and the best way to reciprocate it in an exhibit. 

The project was divided into parts, Selection, Research, Designing, and Prototyping. 

In selection, the students formed into groups of three to four and decided collectively to pick an organism for their project. From this selection, they transitioned to researching about their organism on various topics, such as their needs and activities. They used this information to help them decide the parts they would include in their enclosure for their selected animal. Next, the students made a drawing of their design for the exhibit. What would it look like, and what materials and structures would they have to make? 

After that, they transitioned to prototyping. The students were given multiple items: including popsicles, construction paper, cups, pipe cleaners, glue, hot glue gun, tape, etc. The student’s creativity, design thinking, and project skills were tested during this assignment, which gave them roughly an hour to build prototypes of their habitats. They learned to collaborate with their group members and took responsibility for their part of the project.  

A.G., a freshman involved in this activity, refers the activity as “a fun way to end off the trip,” and “a fundamental exercise introducing the design thinking process.” V.M., another freshman, states that being able to interact with the goats up close and build based on them was the most fulfilling part of the project. Overall, the freshmen agree the experience has been informational and are excited for new opportunities to come.  

Thank you, IA and the GT Block team, for sponsoring these wonderful trips and projects!