ChangeMaker Challenge Part 2
Solve a problem for someone you know through invention!
SESSION ROLES:
🐙 = Site Coordinator
🦉= Mentor
Notes for Site Coordinators and Mentors:
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This challenge is structured as two individual 2hr sessions. This session is Part 2 of the ChangeMaker Challenge.
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This session guide provides a detailed outline for part 2 of the ChangeMaker Challenge, but feel free to improvise or put your own spin to things. If you have an idea for a challenge or prompt that will get students excited, go for it! If something is not working well, change course and experiment another path forward. If you do change things up, we would love to hear what has been successful for you!
Session Overview
The ChangeMaker Challenge is structured as two individual 2hr sessions. This session is Part 2 of the ChangeMaker Challenge.
Solve a problem for someone you know through invention! How can students use their invention skills to make a difference in someone else’s life? In this session, we will combine the littleBits Invention Cycle with an exercise in empathy.
First, you will brainstorm ways they could solve common frustrations or improve everyday interactions for someone important to them. Then they will build and test multiple prototypes of their favorite idea. At the close of the session, students will create advertisements that communicate their invention’s power to make a difference.
Session Details
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Duration:
2 hours
Subjects:
Engineering
Art/Design
Science
Prerequisite Knowledge:
Supplies
Bits + Accessories:
STEM Inventor Kit
Device:
Mentors will need to bring a connected device (phone, tablet, or computer) to access instructional videos
Recycled Materials:
Ex: cardboard, cereal boxes, plastic bottles, etc. You can work with girls and mentors to collectively bring these supplies in as needed.
Tools:
Scissors
Other Materials:
Extra 9V batteries
Tape
Colored Paper
Markers
Pen/Pencil & Paper
Description
Theme: Empathy
Objectives: By the end of the ChangeMaker Challenge, students will be able to:
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Brainstorm ideas for meeting the designated challenge
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Create and test a circuit containing a power source, inputs and outputs
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Construct a prototype of an invention using Bits and other materials
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Test their prototypes and make improvements
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Demonstrate their ability to Create, Play, Remix and Share an invention through the littleBits Invention Cycle
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Summarize their process and share the results by creating a skit, or a print or video advertisement to explain what they’ve invented and how it can help make life better for the customer
Resources
Inspirational Links:
Helpful Links:
Snap The Gap STEM Kit Overview
Snap The Gap STEM Kit Bit Index
Set Up
🐙SITE COORDINATORS:
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Make sure all the supplies for this session are prepped and ready to go. Discuss with mentors if you need help gathering recycled materials.
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This is part 2 of the ChangeMaker challenge. Students should have sketches of their ideas and the beginnings of a prototype from the previous session.
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If students are participating in groups, be sure that they keep track of the Bits and accessories they use so everyone has a full set at the end of the challenge.
🦉MENTORS:
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Make sure to bring a charged connected device (phone, iPad, or computer) to access instructional videos during the session.
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If you discussed adding additional materials with your mentee in the previous session, please make sure to bring them for this session.
Meet Up
5 MIN
🐙SITE COORDINATORS:
Take attendance and make sure mentors are paired off.
🦉MENTORS:
Discuss with your mentee:
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How was your week?
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Discuss whether they had any new ideas for their ChangeMaker invention since the last session.
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Take a look at any additional materials you each brought for the session.
Introduce
5 MIN
🐙SITE COORDINATORS INTRODUCE THE SESSION
Today we will pick up where we left off last time. We will start with the prototype you made during the previous session.
Goals for Changemaker Challenge Part 2:
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Test your prototype
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Iterate and update your prototype
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Create a commercial for the product and share with the group
Before jumping into the challenge, provide a quick review of the Invention Cycle framework. Today you will be going through the PLAY, REMIX, and SHARE phases.
Inspire
10 MIN
🦉MENTORS REVIEW SESSION INSPIRATION VIDEOS AND PROMPTS
Career Exploration
As a warm up activity, mentors will explore three women in STEM who have made significant contributions to their field. Please take a few minutes to review the bios provided in the postcards below and brainstorm with your mentee what contributions they would make as a leader in this field fifteen years from now. Ask your mentee(s) the following:
- Can you see yourself in her job?
- Are you interested to learn more about her job?
- What inspires you about this role model?
(Expand on some phrases or words that may be difficult to understand.)
*The purpose of the postcards are meant to provide girls with the career endeavors and examples of STEM positions of successful women in STEM to inspire them and explore different types of careers in STEM.*
Download Women in STEM postcards here:
BARBARA LISKOV MARIA KLAWE HELENE DILLIARD
PLAY
15 MIN
🦉MENTORS:
Facilitate the PLAY & REMIX activities with mentees.
🐙SITE COORDINATORS:
During the PLAY & REMIX activities, float around the room and observe/help out where needed. You will also monitor the time and announce when the group should come together to share.
*If students have yet to create an initial prototype, refer to the previous session to get started.
Test out your prototype
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Once the prototypes have been constructed, students should test the inventions themselves to make sure they work. Have them pretend that they are the customer who just purchased the invention. How well did the invention do its job?
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Come up with criteria for success
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How will you know if your invention works?
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Take notes on what works and what doesn’t. You can make changes in the next version.
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Keep in mind that the inventions might not work the first time; failure is part of the process. If time, allow students to test each other’s models and provide feedback.
REMIX
40 MIN
Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes and improvements
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Could adding a new Bit add important features?
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Would craft materials make it stronger or give it a new look?
Test the invention again after a few improvements have been made
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Work with another person - a classmate, friend, or your mentor. If possible, try to find the type of person you’re designing it for.
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Ask the person you are working with what their favorite features are and what suggestions they have to make it better.
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Use their feedback to create an even better version of your invention.
As your make changes to your invention, make sure you are documenting how your prototypes are changing and the results (good and bad).
Continue to test and remix until the prototype it is in a state that the students are happy with the result or until the allotted time runs out. Ask students to explain their remix choices and the resulting change in functionality and outcomes.
Share
30 MIN
For the showcase, students can create a skit, or a print or video advertisement to explain what they’ve invented and how it can help make life better for the customer
🦉MENTORS HELP STUDENTS PREP FOR THEIR PRESENTATION
Prep: Advertisements should include the following information
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Invention description
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Give it a name
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What does it do?
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Important features
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Who is it for?
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How it can help make life better for someone?
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How it works
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What Bits and materials were used?
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🐙SITE COORDINATORS GATHER GROUP TOGETHER TO SHARE THEIR INVENTIONS
Presentation:
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Each student (or group) will have about 5 minutes to demonstrate how the invention works
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Snap photos of the final invention!
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During the presentation, mentors can also help prompt with questions
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Encourage students and mentors to ask questions after the presentation
Give a preview of the next session:
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Next week, we will begin our next open challenge!
Reflect
5 MIN
🦉MENTORS:
Reflect with your mentee:
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What is one new thing that you learned during this challenge?
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Favorite part about the ChangeMaker challenge
Close
10 MIN
Wrap Up
🦉MENTORS:
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Make sure to power off the Power Bit and disconnect the battery.
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Deconstruct inventions: Make sure to take pictures of what students have made.
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Clean up: Make sure you have all the parts shown on the side of the box and put them away in the kit. If students were participating in groups, be sure that everyone has a full set at the end of the challenge.
🐙SITE COORDINATORS:
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Store kits away for next time