Design Thinking for K-12 Teachers
Apply Cooper Hewitt's design thinking approach to create curriculum-aligned, problem-solving activities that spark creativity in K-12 students.
Apply Cooper Hewitt's design thinking approach to create curriculum-aligned, problem-solving activities that spark creativity in K-12 students.
This comprehensive course introduces K-12 educators to Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's innovative Design in the Classroom program. Teachers learn to implement design thinking principles to help students solve real-world community problems. Through hands-on activities and practical examples, participants explore the design process, create curriculum-aligned lesson plans, and develop strategies for teaching design thinking to other educators. The course emphasizes creative problem-solving and innovation in classroom instruction.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Master the fundamentals of the design process and its educational applications
Create effective design-based lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards
Implement design thinking methodologies in classroom activities
Teach other educators to integrate design thinking in their instruction
Develop problem-solving activities that address community challenges
Evaluate and adapt existing design-based educational resources
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
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Module Description
This course equips educators with practical tools to integrate design thinking into K-12 classrooms. Based on Cooper Hewitt's successful Design in the Classroom program and Smithsonian Design Institute workshop series, participants learn to define design concepts, understand the design process, and apply these principles to solve community problems. The curriculum focuses on creating and evaluating design-based lesson plans that align with required educational standards while fostering creativity and innovation.
Fee Structure
Instructor
Museum Education Leader and Design Learning Innovator
Michelle Cheng currently serves as Deputy Director for Programs at the Fairfield Museum & History Center, building upon her extensive experience in museum education and community engagement. Her career includes significant roles at prestigious institutions, including Director of Education and Community Partnerships at the Frye Art Museum and Professional Development Manager at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where she led the innovative Smithsonian Design Institute. During her time at Cooper Hewitt, she managed professional development programs for K-12 educators nationwide, helping teachers integrate design thinking across curricula through intensive summer workshops. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Art History and Comparative Literature from Binghamton University and an M.A. in Art + Design Education from Rhode Island School of Design. Throughout her career, she has focused on making art and design accessible to diverse audiences, from leading award-winning education initiatives at Cooper Hewitt to fostering community engagement at the New Haven Museum and creating lasting local impact at various cultural institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.