BRAINSTORM
BRAINSTORM
1. Ignite's Unifying theme: HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
Human-centered design (HCD) is a critical component of each Ignite course, program, and student. This model is designed to improve critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, in addition to the engineering skills needed to bring an idea from sketch to prototype. During the “empathize” and “define” phases, students engage directly with their peers to understand local community needs regarding a challenge directly related to the SDGs. In the “ideate” and “prototype” phases, students work in teams to brainstorm solutions and use feedback to iterate on their designs. In the “deliver” phase, students present their prototypes to the school and special guests, like a science fair.
Each Ignite program, regardless of topic, uses human-centered design to move potential ideas into solutions.
HCD
LISTEN
BRAINSTORM
CREATE PROTOTYPE
EVALUATE
DEFINE
2. IGNITE PROTOTYPE COURSES
LIGHT
The Light Curriculum centers around clean energy (UN Sustainable Development Goal #7). Its contents range from basic circuitry to renewable energy sources. Students get to constantly iterate and involve prototypes based on what they're learning. Students understand and apply STEM concepts related to electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, and physics. The Light Curriculum goes through the Human-Centered Design cycle to learn about how a light source, our prototype, can increase access to energy in communities that need it most.
WATER
The Water Curriculum centers around monitoring and addressing water contamination (UN Sustainable Development Goal #6). Access to clean water is vital for the health and development of a community, not only because water is essential for survival, but also because we use it for daily tasks, such as cooking, bathing, and washing dishes and clothes. Students understand and apply STEM concepts related to civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics. The Water Curriculum goes through the Human-Centered Design process to learn how to design and build a device to purify water that suits the needs of their community.
HEALTH
The Health Curriculum centers around communicable and non-communicable diseases (UN Sustainable Development Goal #3). Its content ranges from medical device design to microscopic germs, like bacteria and viruses, to pandemics and disease prevention. Students get to constantly create new prototypes based on what they’re learning. Students understand and apply STEM concepts related to biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics in the process of building their prototypes. Throughout the entire process, students use the Human-Centered Design process to empathize with their communities' needs.
3. TEACHING TIPS
This module is only required if you want to become an Ignite Trainer. It goes through basic concepts of Educational Psychology to make sure that you're ready to step into a classroom when you teach Ignite in your community. Ignite encourages all former participants to share their experiences and knowledge by teaching Ignite to a new community.