We are problem solvers!

 This term we have been getting into the technology curriculum, in particular the design process.

First, we looked at a video of other kids being problem spotters and how they used design and technology to solve their problem. Here is the video we watched. Many noted, "Oooh my parents do things like this!", "My parents are architects" and "My mum designs like this too!"

EMPATHISE:
To begin our own design process (the empathise stage), we set out to find some problems that needed to be solved in Tautoru and outside in the playgrounds. Many came bounding back into the classroom passionate about solving the problem of people picking the figs by Big Kids playground or rubbish being left outside!

DEFINE:
We then defined our problems by answering these questions:

• What is the problem?
• Who does it affect?
• How does it effect them/that?

IDEATE:
We then spent a whole afternoon thinking of LOTS and LOTS of different ideas to solve them problem. We had to dial up a few character strengths like Perseverance, Curiosity and Creativity.

Then this week, we narrowed down our solutions and voted on our favourite idea by using what we have been learning in Maths, a tally! After this, we needed to survey other students in the school to find out whether they think the solutions would be helpful or not, and what solution they would like to see/experience.

Next week we will begin the Prototype phase! We are very excited!

STUDENT VOICE:
These are some things some Tautoru students said once we had surveyed Autahi and the seniors.

What was a challenge?

• “to be comfortable to say what I needed to say”
• "I was feeling a bit worried but had a go anyway" (about talking in front of other people"
• “getting in front of all the seniors”

What was something that you learned?

• "Practising being connected by sharing ideas"
• "we get better at something by practising"
• "people have different preferences"
• "it’s not easy to talk in front of people"

What was a new discovery or something interesting that you found in your survey?

• "most people liked spy ninjas" (spy ninjas was a solution idea)
• "I thought an idea was going to be most popular but it wasn’t. I thought team fig but it turned out to be a movie"

What character strengths did you use?

• "I had to use my Bravery"
• "I used humour by laughing when I felt nervous"
• "Bravery because I was scared to go into the seniors but did it anyway"

This is another great experience for our Year 3s to go to the senior area and reconnect with the senior students and Year 2s to connect with the Year 1s. Keep checking out Seesaw to see more photos about our transitions in the lead up to next year.