Cultivating Design Thinking of Middle School Girls through an Origami STEAM Project

Abstract

This paper presents results from an exploratory case study on the use of Origami for developing design thinking with a group of 22 middle school girls participating in a summer STEM program. The case study combines the process of design thinking, common in STEM-based exploration, and aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) with the art of Origami as a tool for encouraging innovation and creative thinking. Student teams were challenged to design and build a three-dimensional Origami structure made of business cards that could withstand the weight of a typical middle school age student. Data in the form of observation during the design process and follow up interviews were utilized to determine the impact of the art-infused STEM approach. Overall, participants found the open-ended, exploratory nature of design thinking to be challenging though Origami engaged students, providing them with a familiar and approachable method to use for their designs. Initial findings provide support to a STEAM-based approach with consideration for structures that are best for collaboration and exploration.