We provided a series of design thinking and STEM training programme to F.3 students from TWGHs Yau Tze Tin Memorial College. The aim was not just to teach these students a set of skills, but to instill in them a problem-solving mindset that could transcend the classroom and become a part of their daily lives.
The journey began with a profound lesson in empathy, as the students immersed themselves in the world of school janitors. Through job shadowing and direct observation, they gained firsthand insights into their needs, feelings, and the difficulties they encountered in their tasks.
Once armed with this empathetic perspective, the students started a series of design thinking exercises to brainstorm solutions to the problems they had identified through teamwork and collaboration. The journey then transitioned into the prototyping phase, where the students got their hands dirty, applying various maker skills and tools. They dabbled in woodworking, programming, and electronics to create inventions, including an adjustable mop, a set of specialized cleaning kits, and a blackboard wiping device, tailored to the needs of the school janitors.
The programme concluded with a Showcase Day where they presented their works, and shared the process they went through with schoolmates and teachers.
