Students Solving Real-World Design Problems - Teaching Now - Education Week Teacher

Students Solving Real-World Design Problems - Teaching Now - Education Week Teacher:

Last month, the Chicago Architecture Foundation launched DiscoverDesign.org, a free Web-based learning tool aimed at getting students excited about architecture. According to the website, it "empowers teens to gain architectural skills, learn green design principles, engage in problem solving, and connect to an online community of their peers, their teachers and design professionals around the world."

The site lists various design projects with step-by-step guides to help students develop and implement their ideas. Students can choose to design anything from a new school locker to a new technology wing for a school. Once their projects are complete, students can upload their work to the site and receive feedback and comments from teachers, architects, design professionals, and other students.

This month, the foundation announced that they will be conducting a national design competition. The project challenges high school students to redesign their school cafeteria for healthy eating in a sustainable space.