ACTIVITY MATERIALS

• Paper
• Phone, Ipad or Laptop
• Pencil

Now that you’ve uncovered real problems through your interview, it’s time to start dreaming up innovative solutions. Use this time to generate ideas, explore possibilities, and land on a strong invention concept!

ACTIVITY PROMPT

Revisit Your Insights

Go back to your interview notes. Highlight 1–2 problems that feel the most interesting, surprising, or important to solve.

Ask yourself:

• Which problem do I feel excited to work on?
• Which one could be solved in a creative or unexpected way?

ACTIVITY STEPS

1st

15 min

Rapid Idea Storm

Set a timer and brainstorm at least 10 possible invention ideas—wild, weird, useful, funny, simple—anything goes!

Try different angles:

• Tech-based vs. low-tech
• Solo tools vs. social solutions
• Helpful, playful, or both?

Use this format:

Problem → Invention idea → How it helps

2nd

45 min

Example Ideas:

1. Cooling headband with built-in fans
2. Voice-activated shade umbrella
3. Phone app that suggests shaded outdoor workout routes
4. Smart shirt that changes color based on temperature
5. Community outdoor “cool zones” with sprayers
6. "SummrClub” – a shared journal that gets passed from kid to kid
7. Smart window projector that makes it feel like you're in another country

Choose + Sketch Your Concept

Pick your favorite idea from your brainstorm. Then:

• Write a short concept description (2–3 sentences)
• Sketch the design (messy is fine!)
• Label the parts and how it works
• Give it a fun name and tagline

Check next slide for an example

3rd

60 min

Example:

Chosen Idea: AI-Powered Storytelling Plushie

Name: Tella

Tagline: “The friend that tells tales tailored just for you.”

How it works: A soft toy that listens to your voice, mood, and day—then tells stories back using AI-generated narratives that feel personal. Connects to an app for drawing or acting the stories out too!

• Microphone & speaker
• Storybook app
• Recharge port
• Emotion-sensing heart light

Share & Reflect

Create a slide like the previous slide, showing your sketch along with your concept idea.

4th

30 min