The document contains instructions and prompts for various classroom activities related to problem solving, design thinking, and engineering processes. It includes directions for board work, group work, and tests. Some key activities involve using tools like the IDEAL problem solving method and fishbone diagrams to analyze problems, propose solutions, and design prototypes. Students are asked to work through various hypothetical scenarios and share their solutions with peers for feedback.

1. BOARD WORK
What do you do when you are worried
about a problem which doesn’t have an
easy solution? Explain your answer with a
problem you have had.

2. GROUP WORK
Build the highest tower you can with all
the cards.
You can’t use any other material, except
for something to increase friction on the
surface.
Before beginnig, you have to draw and
explain at least 2 designs that might work

3. BOARD WORK
What is the difference between a problem
and an obstacle? Think about the eventual
eruption of Cotopaxi Volcano to write an
example.

4. GROUP WORK
Situation: The eruption of Cotopaxi starts
while you are in Montebello. Define the
problems that could appear (at least 3)
and the possible solutions (at least 2 per
problem)

5. CLASS WORK
Copy the ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS.
Infer the aspect or aspects that have been
overlooked and explain it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftgtzFaHFGE

7. BOARD WORK
Why are there best solutions to difficult
problems?
Situation: You live in a very risky area, close to
Pita River. Lahars might profusely flow along
it. Which one might the best solution:
a. Move to another city
b. Stay there and take all the necessary
precautions
c. Wait until the orange alert is announced
and ask for shelter in a relative’s house

8. BOARD WORK
Compare the ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS
and the SCIENTIFIC METHOD.
Write 3 similarities

9. GROUP WORK
Compare the steps of the scientific method with
the acronym IDEAL (problem solving). Explain
some characteristics they have in common
1. Make an observation
2. Ask a question
3. Form a hypothesis and
make a prediction
4. Do a test or
experimentation
5. Analyze data and draw
a conclusion
1. I: identify problem(s) as
clearly as possible
2. D: define possible goals or
solutions
3. E: explore ways to reach the
solutions or goals
4. A: anticipate pros/cons of
solutions and choose the best.
Act.
5. L: look back/ learn

10. BOARD WORK
Which main solution strategy could help you
build a high and steady tower by using only
spaghetti and marshmallows?

11. GROUP WORK
Situation: Build a high and steady tower with
spaghetti and marshmallows. Use the
acronym IDEAL before you start working.

12. BOARD WORK
Based on the two previous situations, write
three characteristics that are necessary to
have best solutions to problems.

13. GROUP WORK
Use the IDEAL acronym to identify the
problems that might appear and their
solutions. Be as specific as possible.
Situation: Build a tall and stable tower by
using only 20 sheets of paper
1. I: identify problem(s) as clearly as possible
2. D: define possible solutions and variables
3. E: explore ways to reach the solutions or goals
4. A: anticipate pros/cons of solutions and choose the
best. Act.
5. L: look back/ learn

14. GROUP WORK
Review the IDEAL acronym to identify the
problems that might appear and their
solutions. Be as specific as possible.
Situation: Build a tall and stable tower by
using only 20 sheets of paper
1. I: identify problem(s) as clearly as possible
2. D: define possible solutions and variables
3. E: explore ways to reach the solutions or goals
4. A: anticipate pros/cons of solutions and choose the
best. Act.
5. L: look back/ learn

15. TEST
Situation: Build a tall and stable tower by
using only 20 sheets of paper.
Remember that your grade depends on the
correlationship between the IDEAL and the
actual tower you will build.
1. I: identify problem(s) as clearly as possible
2. D: define possible solutions and variables
3. E: explore ways to reach the solutions or goals
4. A: anticipate pros/cons of solutions and choose the
best. Act.
5. L: look back/ learn

16. BOARD WORK
Which variables can you identify, which might
be causes of forest fires in Quito? (at least 3)

17. GROUP WORK
Situation: You are forest fire experts. The
mayor of Quito has hired you to develop a
prevention plan so that the forest fires
decrease next year. Use the fishbone diagram
and the IDEAL to propose a solution.

18. CLASS WORK
Which are the main characteristics that make
teamwork successful?

21. GROUP WORK
Situation: Untangle HUMAN KNOT
Arrange group members in a circle, standing shoulder to
shoulder. (5 or 7 people + a leader)
Put your right hand up in the air, and then grab the hand of
someone across the circle from them.
Then put your left hand up in the air and grab the hand of
a different person.
Make sure that everyone is holding the hands of two
different people and that they are not holding hands with
someone directly next to them.
Untangle the human knot to make a circle without
breaking the chain of hands.
If group members break the chain you need to start over.

22. GROUP WORK
LIMITATIONS:
- Only the leader can talk
- The others can’t say anything
- One member of the group is blindfolded
- Time: 5 minutes to design a solution and 15
minutes to untangle the knot.

23. BOARD WORK
Situation: Your dad’s car doesn’t start. Identify
a problem, hypothesize 3 causes and predict 3
consequences

24. GROUP WORK
Use the fishbone diagram to identify the
causes of this problem and select the most
likely ones.

25. CLASS WORK
Why do some consequences become causes
and vicerversa? Use the previous example to
explain

26. GROUP WORK
Use the fishbone diagram to identify the
causes of a problem in Montebello’s new
construction and predict the consequences.

27. BOARD WORK
Why can the fishbone diagram and the IDEAL
be complementary strategies?
1. I: identify problem(s) as
clearly as possible
2. D: define possible solutions
and variables
3. E: explore ways to reach the
solutions
4. A: anticipate pros/cons of
solutions and choose the
best. Act.
5. L: look back/ learn

28. GROUP WORK
Situation: You are expert ecologists who have been hired to
help the Charles Darwin Station. They tell you that
introduced plant species are causing a great impact on the
Galapagos Ecosystem
Watch the video and use the ideas to identify a problem.
Propose a solution. (Use the fishbone diagram and the
IDEAL to organize your proposal)
http://www.galapagos.org/conservation/invasive-species/

29. GROUP WORK
Watch the video to understand the teamwork
activity called SNAKE.
- Groups of at least 6 people
- All the members are blindfolded except the
guide
- The guide can see and give instructions, but
only nonverbal.
- The challenge is to pick at least one of the
objects spread on the floor and put it in a basket
- Time: 10’ to design a solution and 15’ to reach
the goal

30. CLASS WORK
How is the snake teamwork technique related to
the problem of introduced species in Galapagos?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93yqu-1Zb10

31. BOARD WORK
How can you relate the domino pieces falling
with the idea of cause and effect?

32. GROUP WORK
Situation: You are worried about the number of condors in
the Andes. Based on the prework, use the ideas from the
video to identify a problem. Propose a solution. (Use the
fishbone diagram and the IDEAL to organize your proposal)

33. CLASS WORK
Inspite of the actions taken to save the
Andean condor as hard punishments and
educational campaigns, Why do some people
continue hunting them?

34. GROUP WORK
Write an example of a sequence of cause and effect events.
Use drawings, short explanatory texts and arrows to show
a cause/effect chain.

35. BOARD WORK
Write the possible consequences that this
event might cause
Bees become extinct
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr-oz5FxU7A

36. GROUP QUIZ
Problem: The Amazon region has been seriously polluted
with the oil extraction. Use the ideas from the video to
propose a solution. (Use the fishbone diagram and the
IDEAL to organize your proposal)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0eG5e4N9ko

37. BOARD WORK
Write the possible consequences that this
event might cause. Make sure you show an
appropriate sequence of events
Sharks become extinct
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAzxkDQFPe0

38. GROUP WORK
Situation: Two cars crash against a wall, one at 50 mph and
the other at 100 mph. It obvious that the second car will
show more destruction due to the impact.
What if the two cars crash against each other?
Explain your prediction considering cause and effect
Draw a design of the phenomenon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8E5dUnLmh4

39. QUIZ
Use a word map to explain the cause and
effect relationship in the example of the two
cars crashing into each other at 50 mph.
The variables will start your causes.
Make sure there is an appropriate
cause/effect sequence

40. GROUP WORK
Land mine game (TRUST)
Choose a member of the group to walk on a mined area
blindfolded.
The other members take turns to give instructions
The group that makes less mistakes wins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csmyPF0gFSQ

41. BOARD WORK
When you design a solution or product to
solve a problem, which variable is the most
important one? Explain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6bVCXdBuD0

42. HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN

43. GROUP WORK
Analyze these two ideas and explain the
difference. Use the example of an architect
who has been asked to design a house for a
four-member family.
DESIGN
FOR SOMEBODY
WITH SOMEBODY

44. DESIGN THINKING

45. DESIGN THINKING

46. BOARD WORK
Read this research problem and identify the
cause-effect variables using the sequence
below.
How can your parents’ fights affect your
grades at school?
CAUSE EFFECT

47. GROUP WORK
Read your problem and identify the cause-
effect variables.
CAUSE EFFECT

48. BOARD WORK
Read this situation and identify the cause-effect variables
using the sequence below.
Nowadays, many people depend on the Internet for
almost every thing due to the varied sources of
information it provides. However, most of this
information is useless and has even developed some bad
habits as sedentarism, ostricism and obesesity since the
new generations prefer to spend more time in front of a
computer instead of doing sports or having actual social
interactions.
CAUSE: I.V EFFECT: D.V

49. GROUP WORK
Prepare a role play to explain your problem with
more detail.
Make sure the actions and characters give a
clear example of the problem

50. GROUP WORK
Finish, revise and enrich the fishbone diagram
with clear causes

51. GROUP WORK
Use the IDEAL to propose a solution to the
problem you have received. You have to do it
until the A because the L will be fedback with
the group that provided the problem. BE AS
CREATIVE AS POSSIBLE
1.I: identify problem as clearly as possible
2.D: define possible solutions and products
3.E: explore the solutions and choose the best one
4.A: anticipate pros/cons of the chosen solution
5.L: look back/ learn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYbA_-mAtUY

52. GROUP WORK
Share the solution with your customers and ask
them for feedback to enrich the solution and
adjust it to the customers’ necessities.
Each group has 2 minutes to explain the
solution
The customers have 2 minutes to give feedback
The designers have 2 minutes to ask questions
to make sure they understand what the
customers need
OPEN MIND AND RESPECT WILL BE TAKEN
INTO ACCOUNT DURING THE INTERACTION

53. GROUP WORK
1. Talk about issues that bother you as teens.
You are free to analyze any topic
Make sure you write at least three different
ideas that you feel are driving you crazy
There aren’t stupid ideas.
2. Choose the issue that you think is the most
common among you (Exchange problems)
3. Analyze it with the fishbone diagram to
understand causes and the category it belongs
to.

54. GROUP WORK
4. Create a solution which shows a logical
sequence of events (idea)
5. Gather information that can help you
understand the problem and solution better
6. Design a solution, but centered on the
clients’ needs and behaviors.
7. Redesign based on interview with customer
8. Create prototype
9. Evaluate prototype with customer

55. HOMEWORK
Use a problem tree to explain the cause and
effect relationship in the example of the two
cars crashing into each other at 50 mph.
The variables will start your causes.
Make sure there is an appropriate
cause/effect sequence
Watch the these 2 videos to improve your
map
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8E5dUnLmh4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUgFT1hRTE4

57. BOARD WORK
Once you have designed a product or solution
for somebody, why is it necessary to share it
with the customer?
Use the example of a fashion designer to
explain your answer

58. GROUP WORK
Use the IDEAL to propose a solution to the
problem you have received. You have to do it
until the A because the L will be feedbacked
with the group that provided the problem. BE
AS CREATIVE AS POSSIBLE
1.I: identify problem as clearly as possible
2.D: define possible solutions and products
3.E: explore the solutions and choose the best one
4.A: anticipate pros/cons of the chosen solution
5.L: look back/ learn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYbA_-mAtUY

59. GROUP WORK
Analyze the solution/product you have designed
for your customers.
Draw, draft or sketch how the prototype will
look

60. GROUP WORK
After customers’ feedback, analyze the
prototype you have designed for your
customers.
List all the materials and tools you will need to
make the prototype
Determine how each person of the group will
collaborate
Describe briefly the steps (process) you will take
to make the prototype

61. BOARD WORK
Based on all the things you have learned about
problem solving, write a short definition of
CREATIVITY. Ask yourself: Is our proposal a
creative solution? Why?

62. GROUP WORK
- Review all the material you have elaborated
- Discuss for 5 minutes about the customers’
view point and evaluate it
- Organize all the necessary elements before
making your product
- Everyone has to work actively
- Remember to use your time wisely. Wasted
time will be considered in your grade
- HANDS ON WORK

63. BOARD WORK
How could the emotional aspect cause
acceptance or rejection to an offered solution
or product?

64. GROUP WORK
- Finish the Project
- Think about all the details
- Rehearse the presentation
- The most important criterion that will be
evaluated today is your abilitity to CONVINCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ntLGOyHw4

65. BOARD WORK
Which specific detail of a presenter would
show you that his presentation is persuasive?
Explain

66. GROUP WORK
- Read the rubric to adjust you
presentation to the assessment criteria
so that you can get the highest level of
performance
- Organize the presentation and rehearse
it
- Rehearsal is mandatory and will be
worth 1 bonus point to your final grade

67. COUNT THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES: BOARD WORKS
AND GROUP WORKS FROM YOUR NOTEBOOK
1 sig.= 0.10
2 sig.= 0.20
3 sig.= 0.50
4 sig.= 1
5 sig.= 1.5
6 sig.= 2
7 sig.= 2.5

68. TEST
- Watch the video about El Niño
Phenomenon
- Identify one of the many problems that
this natural phenomenon causes
- Analyze the causes by using the
fishbone diagram
- Use the IDEA to propose a solution and
a product
http://www.tvecuador.com/index.php?option=com_reportaje
s&id=711&view=showcanal&Itemid=27

69. BOARD WORK
Watch the documentary called American
Genius: Gates vs. Jobs
Write an 8 line text saying who the better
problem solver is and supporting your choice
with 3 specific details from the documentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prstbP2cG6M

73. DESIGN THINKING
• Designing for somebody vs. Designing with somebody
• Collaboration
• Roles
• Problem solving
• Redesign
• Human centered
• Design for somebody vs. Design with somebody to avoid
assumptions
• Choice helps us identify only the need
• Client’s behaviors allows you to innovate
• Create the propotype
• Does this design satisfies the needs of the client
• Feel, imagine, do

75. Condor Felipe’s death
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_x3UKxdUiA