Section outline

  • EXPLORE / TŪHURA

    EXPLORE / TŪHURA learning intentions:

    • We are EXPLORING the problem and the End User
    • We are IDENTIFYING the characteristics of the circular economy



    Designing for Climate Action! A Circular Economy Project



    Activity 1: Exploring the Problem & the End User


    Learning Objectives

    Today we are going to :

    • Explore and formulate the problem

    • Activate prior knowledge and prepare for new concepts and  skills related to the circular economy and climate action


    Design Skill:

    • Empathy – We are learning to empathise with  others
    • Thinking in all directions – We are learning how to  generate diverse and original ideas by associating  and imagining


    The Design Thinking Process

    Design thinking supports you to develop your voice, choice and ownership of solutions you come  up with based on real problems. This enhances your knowledge and 21st century skills to  participate proactively in society.

    Let’s listen to the podcast on Google Classroom as an introduction to design thinking.




    The Ripple Effect

    With you at the centre, your actions can make waves that  affect change on a global scale.



    How can one action connect to global change?


    Can these objects be…….? (on Slides)

    • reused
    • regifted 
    • refuse to use if it’s a single use object 
    • recycled 
    • repaired 
    • remanufactured 
    • repurposed 
    • biodegraded 


    Brainstorm what they could make from the objects in the image. 


    We are going to learn about the circular economy. 

    What might this mean? This lesson, we will be thinking about this question: How can I reuse, repair or repurpose an object for the wellbeing of people from my school community? 

    Watch the circular economy video on Google Classroom


    Talk about what you understand as the circular economy after watching the video. 

    How does designing for the circular economy help to fight climate change? 

    In this project we will be focusing on: Reuse/ Repair/Repurpose and in the following lessons you will design something answering this question: 

    How can I reuse / repair / repurpose an object in a different way for the wellbeing of the people in my community? 


    See if you can make a link to the Global Goals. 


    How could answering this question also help to achieve the Global Goals? Why might it help them to tackle Goal 13 Climate Action? 


    Your design will be for a specific group of users that share similar characteristics. 

    You need to decide which group they will be designing for: e.g. teachers/parents/students/ babies/their year group. 


    You will have to imagine, draw and describe a fictional person using all the details from the “Persona” worksheet. 

    Use the worksheet of the persona and answer the following questions: 

    ● Where does he/she live? 

    ● What does he/she like to do? 

    ● What does he/she not like doing? 

    ● Any fun facts about your persona? 

    ● What does he/she hope to do? 

    ● What does he/she struggle with? 


    – Link to the design problem