The Idea Project: Making the Modern World a Little Bit Better
Project KUD and Scales
All year we will explore the power and importance of ideas. Throughout history, individuals, groups and civilizations have sought progress--it's part of our nature as humans to want to do things better, faster, and more efficiently.
This year, we are going to ask you to become thinkers and innovators. You will work on your own to develop an idea or create an innovation that will help make the world a better place. We'll spend time exploring ideas and innovations both current and historical, diving into world issues that interest you, and playing with ideas. Then, once you have a problem that you want to help solve or a part of life you want to help improve, you will work to develop a product or idea, come up with a full research-based proposal, design a TED-inspired talk to promote your idea, and create a website to help communicate the idea. This will be the final project of the year.
Components:
- Website: Throughout the second semester you will design and develop a comprehensive website about your innovation. You will explain the problem your idea addresses, explore the causes and effects of that problem, and then fully explain your idea.
- TED Talk: You will have 4-5 minutes to present your idea in front of the class. Your presentation will be in the style of a TED Talk and you will include visuals that help express your idea or innovation.
Exemplar TED Talk: note the organization, strong purpose, and personal connection that Kenneth Shinozuka brings to his talk. In 5 minutes, he clearly explains his idea, shows how it works, and persuades his audience that it would improve the world.
Solutions:
Links to help think about solutions:
- Soccket Ball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2llYQqrmZwA
- Seed Sheets: http://www.wcax.com/story/29641927/mivt-seed-sheet
- 10 Innovations that have the potential to change the world: http://thechive.com/2014/05/07/brilliant-ideas-that-could-help-solve-some-of-the-worlds-greatest-problems-13-photos/