DT2010 Reuse Object
TECH
Medium-tech
CHALLENGE
Simple
TIME
5 sessions (one week)
TEAM SIZE
1 or 2
About
Older generations learnt not to waste and to keep everything that might be useful in future. Many objects are re-used around the home, the objects are given a new job. Old newspapers are used as kindling, old towels are used as rags, old cloth is made into quilts, and so forth. “Waste not, want not.” If you don’t waste, you will never need anything.
Your task
Design an object made from reused old or discarded objects that you have found at home. First, get your parents’ permission to use any old or discarded objects for this project. Then think of how you can reuse the objects as something new and useful. Make your new reuse object and test it. Do this design topic on your own, or together with a classmate.
Follow the design steps
To design something well, do it step-by-step and use the methods from the Design Thinking for Schools website. There are four design steps. The first step is LEARN. To design something, you must first learn about it. There is much to learn on any topic, and it is always interesting. Learning will help you to understand the thing that you are designing, so you can do a good job. The second step is DRAW. Try to think of as many different ideas as you can while you draw them with pencil on paper. Keep drawing until you have some ideas that you really like. Improve your ideas and combine them into a single excellent idea. Drawing is easy and fun. Enjoy it! The third step is MAKE. Make the thing that you are designing to show your teacher and classmates. You can only tell if your idea works by making it. Improve your idea while you are making it. Making something with your hands is fun too! The fourth step is TRY. Once you have made something, you should try it to see if it works or not. You can also let someone else try it to see what they think. When you try, you will often find ways to improve your design idea. That will make you a better designer.
Note for teachers
Read the guide for teachers on Safety for the MAKE Step for Level II to safely supervise this design task.
More design topics for Level II…
Read the next design topic for Level II children (9 to 11 years old).
About design topics…
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