Sixth Grade
DESIGN THINKING CHALLENGE
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ast year Mr. Cobb and Mrs. Pointer shared a challenge with the sixth grade to consider real world problems and then iterate solutions. The project took on a life of its own as students began to passionately empathize and problem-solve. The project received much attention, including local media, and resulted in our amazing Early Learning ASES Tiny Town playground.
on what could and should be built for our school community.” Our students have demonstrated incredible maturity, passion and creativity throughout the entire process. It is authentic learning opportunities such as this that inspire, encourage, and compel our students to become designers, developers, collaborators, and leaders ready to make a difference in the world.
This year the Class of 2024 has taken on the “ASES 6th Grade Design Challenge” in some really exciting ways. They’ve worked throughout the year to empathize, problem-solve, plan and create 3D models of their ideas for a redesign of the greenspace behind the Student Center.
The legacy they’re leaving behind will impact and benefit the All Saints family for many years to come!
At the end of April, the students presented their models to Mr. Cobb and the leadership team and identified potential design issues with the space and then offered solutions. Taking their ideas, Mr. Cobb met with them two weeks later in the Idea Lab and guided them to identify the key components of our challenge. After a good discussion they determined seven “design drivers” for this exciting student-led project. A week later the students met with Mr. Cobb and members of the Leadership Team to experience the process of cost analysis. They estimated the cost of each of the seven design drivers and then asked a construction site specialist to determine the actual cost. After they calculated the total cost of all the materials and labor, they created project priorities. Mrs. Pointer said, “I am so proud of how they worked together discussing, debating, and coming to an agreement 8 | TORCH
