Denver Startup Week + Carboard = Virtual Gloves (What?)

Team member brainstorm what products in the classroom to improve or create.

On Tuesday, September 17, four different youth entrepreneur groups brought together more than 60 people to host a competition around design thinking and rapid prototyping.  This youth-focused event during Denver Startup Week was called the Competitive Idea Lab.  It started with a challenge and ended with product.  This is how it happened…

Addressing the challenge

The design thinking process in action.

Young Americans joined forces with the University of Denver, YouthBiz, Denver School for Science and Technology, and TEDxYouth@MileHigh to give our event attendees a challenge.  They had to create a product that would enhance the classroom experience.   First, the 10 different teams brainstormed classroom products.  They next talked within their groups about how to make those products better.  Then, they began to build.

Tearing into the cardboard.

Breaking out the cardboard

Each team was given several pieces of cardboard, duct tape, scissors, and a variety of other supplies, including pipe cleaner, markers, glue sticks, and tacks.  The building process started, and each team created their version of the classroom product.

It wasn’t all just fun building, however.  The teams were being judged by their ability to work together, by their creativity, and by their use of all the materials.

Classroom of the future

A better iteration of the middle school locker comes together.

At the end of the building session, each team presented their products to the crowd and a judging panel decided on the winner.

The Smart Binder was a hit!

Two of the top favorites?  A better locker and a Smart Binder.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this amazing event.  We will definitely host a similar event in Spring 2014, because this was such a huge success!

One team designed virtual gloves and glasses so students from all over the world can join one classroom.