CONCEPT
MAKING
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:
- Cooling headband with built-in fans
- Voice-activated shade umbrella
- Phone app that suggests shaded outdoor workout routes
- Smart shirt that changes color based on temperature
- Community outdoor “cool zones” with sprayers
- "SummrClub” – a shared journal that gets passed from kid to kid
- 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
Concept Making
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!