IDEA GENERATION

The group’s goal is to hit the beach ball 100 times in a row without it falling to the ground. In addition, each team member must hit the ball five times, but no one can hit it twice in a row. If the ball hits the ground or someone hits it twice in a row, the group must start over. The group may exceed 100 hits if that’s what it takes to have everyone hit the ball five times.

ADVISOR NOTE

Each group will creatively determine the best process or method that will help them achieve the goal. It is valuable to let the group struggle with different methods so they can figure out among themselves what works best. There’s no one best answer. Let the group work until the members have achieved the goal.

Ask Explorers to brainstorm products used today that are based on very simple ideas. List the products or items on a flipchart or whiteboard. Examples might include: Build-A-Bear, Pillow Pets, pizza scissors, scrunchies, Snuggies, or charity wristbands.

Allow time for Explorers to identify an existing value, or benefit, for each item listed on the flipchart. Using the information they share, initiate a discussion about generating ideas.

Place several common, everyday items on a table, such as:

• Folder
• Hair tie
• Eyeglass or sunglass case
• Plastic container with lid
• Empty water bottle
• Eraser

Divide participants into teams of two to four. Each team will choose a team name and then select one item from the table for which they will determine at least two new uses. The new uses may involve a slight alteration of the original product. For example, the color of the item may change or pieces of the item may be removed.

Have each team make a three-minute presentation to the larger group on the “new” items. The presentation should include a name for the new item; the purpose of the new item; the value, or benefit, created by the new item; and marketing strategies to ensure consumer acceptance.