At TTI we believe our Strategic Design Approaches can be implemented broadly- once you understand the methodology, you’re well on your way to solving problems big and small in everyday life. One of our Strategic Design Approach (SDA) Advisors, Kenton, who helps lead his daughter’s Girl Scout troop, was recently able to implement design thinking to help their troop work through a Bronze Pin Service project. Kenton instructed the troop on their Junior-level “Think Like an Engineer” and “Take Action” journey.
“Thinking Like an Engineer” challenges the girls to take on the role of an architect and structural engineer using design methodology to construct models meeting specific design criteria. It emphasizes learning through discussion, experimentation, and sharing results to improve the troop as a team.
In “Take Action,” following the “Girl Led” philosophy, members of the troop explored the issues that mattered to them in community, established a desired environment, and sought to understand how they can shape a new desired environment. They were able to use Strategic Design Approaches to expand their horizons and think deeper on how they could help their community by building a community pantry in a park near their school.
Members of the troop created an engagement strategy and made a plan to gather stakeholders from local businesses, community organizations, and government towards a common goal of providing kids with healthy snacks and dry goods when they are not in school. All girls in the troop play unique roles in developing the planning framework, identifying stakeholders, scheduling when the troop will meet to work on the project, and constructing the pantry itself.
Currently, the girls have divided up tasks for planning and action. They will complete their project before June to be ready for the summer break.
