iTech IDC Prep

Share the following information with Explorers in your unit.

Say: The Innovation Design Challenge (IDC) is unique to the iTech Exploring program. It is the capstone project of your participation in this iTech program. The adult leaders in this post/club will guide you through the process, start to finish, but you are all expected to work together as a group to make decisions along the way. Ultimately, as a group you will move an idea from concept to prototype in the form of a finished project.

The goal of the Innovation Design Challenge (IDC) is for Explorers to gain an understanding of the principles, processes and desired outcomes required to successfully develop an innovative product. Explorers will learn the difference between invention and innovation, and successfully utilize a project-based approach in a team setting to move an idea from concept to prototype to a finished IDC project or prototype.

Give each Explorer a copy of the Innovation Design Challenge handout or project the statements from the handout on a screen. Either way, as a group read each statement out loud and ask for volunteers to fill in the blanks.

Say: The iTech Exploring Innovation Design Challenge will enable you to:

1. Engage in design-thinking and innovation strategies to develop solutions
2. Practice entrepreneurial skill development through ideation
3. Understand how to effect change through risk-taking
4. Understand how to disprove an idea
5. Practice learning to adapt quickly and efficiently
6. Employ a Maker strategy and an adaptable, innovative mindset
7. Test, assess and modify the project/prototype through trial and error
8. Showcase the IDC project to peers, the community or subject matter professionals

Leaders and Explorers should review the IDC formats below together and choose the best option(s) for their unit. Units and Explorers can participate in more than one option if and when they are available.

LEADER NOTE

During your 6^th iTech post/club meeting your will elect/appoint youth leadership roles. One of those roles is the IDC Event Coordinator(s). The IDC Event Coordinator should lead their team/post/club in meeting all eligibility requirements, submitting content by stated deadlines and communicating the logistics of traveling to the event, if applicable. Share this activity outline and handouts with the IDC Event Coordinator after s/he is selected so s/he can prepare accordingly.

Consider the requirements of iTech Innovation Design Challenge you have selected. Is it appropriate for a large group or smaller groups? If you have a large post or club (more than 10 or 12 active Explorers) you may want to divide the unit into smaller teams of at least 5 members. It is important that each team have a minimum of 5 active Explorers because there is a minimum of 5 youth leadership roles per team. Youth leadership roles will be reviewed and elected/appointed during your 6^th meeting.

In the case of multiple teams per post/club:

1.      All teams should participate in the same iTech Innovation Design Challenge selected by the entire post/club.

2.      After teams are selected, each team should create their team name and take team photos.

LEADER NOTE

Once Explorers have completed the IDC Event, they will reflect on their experience in the Innovation Reflection activity in the Exploring Activity Library at www.exploring.org/activity-library-category/itech.

Content for this session was provided by Kiwi Compute (website no longer active).

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As a group read each statement out loud and volunteer to fill in the blanks.

The iTech Exploring Innovation Design Challenge will enable you to:

1. Engage in design-thinking and innovation strategies to
   develop                                              .

2. Practice entrepreneurial skill development
   through .

3. Understand how to effect change through -taking.

4. Understand how to  an idea.

5. Practice learning to  quickly and efficiently.

6. Employ a  strategy and an adaptable, innovative mindset.

7. Test, assess and  the project/prototype through trial and

8.  the IDC project to peers, the community or subject matter

What is an IDC?

The Innovation Design Challenge (IDC) is unique to the iTech Exploring program. It is the capstone project of youth participation in your organization’s iTech Exploring program. The adult leaders in your iTech post/club will guide Explorers through the process, start to finish. However, Explorers are expected to work together as a group to make decisions along the way. Ultimately, as a group Explorers will move an idea from concept to prototype in the form of a finished project.

The iTech Exploring Innovation Design Challenge will enable Explorers to:

1. Engage in design-thinking and innovation strategies to develop solutions
2. Practice entrepreneurial skill development through ideation
3. Understand how to effect change through risk-taking
4. Understand how to disprove an idea
5. Practice learning to adapt quickly and efficiently
6. Employ a Maker strategy and an adaptable, innovative mindset
7. Test, assess and modify the project/prototype through trial and error
8. Showcase the IDC project to peers, the community or subject matter professionals

Organizing Your Unit’s IDC

Your organization has the option to create its own iTech Exploring Innovation Design Challenge – see format descriptions 1 and 2 in the chart on the following page. If your organization chooses to create its own IDC, follow these steps to get started.

1.      Define parameters for your IDC. What are the boundaries and/or limitations that Explorers will be allowed to work within to complete their IDC?

a)      Budget

b)     Prototype size

c)      Number of people served

d)     Platform/method by which the public would use the product/service

e)     Prize for winner(s), examples include cash, scholarship, lunch with the CEO, recognition in front of the company’s board, etc.

f)       Define a timeline for your IDC that includes the following dates:

·        Date of your post’s/club’s 4^th meeting after the open house. This is the date you will share the IDC parameters with your Explorers.

·        Date by which Explorer submissions are due.

·        Date on which Explorers will present their submissions to a panel of subject matter experts.

·        Date(s) by which winners are notified and announced.

2.      Allow Explorers to review and select one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development goals that most aligns with the mission and purpose of your organization or business. (www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals)

3.      Explorers should write the purpose of their IDC project in a single sentence.

·        EXAMPLE 1: The purpose of Company Name’s iTech Exploring Innovation Design Challenge is to build a device that saves $10,000 per year on non-recyclable office supplies.

·        EXAMPLE 2: The purpose of Company Name’s iTech Exploring Innovation Design Challenge is to create a mobile app that teaches the public how they can utilize our product/service to increase their own “green” score.

4.      Select 3-5 subject matter experts to serve on the review panel to which Explorers will present their IDC submissions.

iTech Exploring Innovation Design Challenge Formats

For the IDC Event Coordinator Youth Leader | Presentation Content

This is a suggested outline for a structured or timed presentation. Your Exploring unit can choose to deviate from this outline or adjust based on what works best with your presentation format. Explorers should review this outline and practice their presentation to ensure that they feel comfortable on the day of the event.

Each Explorer on a team should have a chance to share during the presentation. Teams should discuss each member’s presentation responsibility prior to the event and practice together.

• Project Name and Team Members

• Problem & Solution:
  • Discuss the Problem – What problem are you trying to solve? Why is this problem important to your team?
  • Solution: Provide a simple and concise overview of your solution.
  • Social Impact – How will your project benefit your community (local, national or global)?

• Market Research & Innovation:
  • How did your team ensure that your solution creates value?
  • What did your team discover through market research?
  • What did you learn about user through research?
  • Explain how your team went through the Ideation and Exploration phase of Innovation.

• Prototyping:
  • Discuss your process for prototyping. What was important to your team in the first version?
  • What feedback did you receive about your prototype? What changes did you make based on this feedback?
  • Why was it important to create a prototype?
  • Show some examples of your drawn-out prototype.

• Project Demo:
  • Walk through your project and explain the important aspects of the project.
  • Showcase various features and how your project will be used.

• Discuss the Team’s Experience:
  • What was your team’s experience in building the project?
  • How did user feedback help to shape your project?
  • What worked well for your team when implementing? What would you do differently?
  • What challenges did your team face? How did you overcome them?
  • What are your biggest takeaways after completing this project?