Wai`anae High School GEER Final Report

To deepen their understanding of Design Thinking using uniquely Hawaiʻi approaches, the Business, Culinary, Engineering, and Hospitality & Tourism Pathway teachers at Waiʻanae High School participated in professional development sessions with The Education Incubator.  The sessions covered the following focus areas:

• Overview of ALOHA X Design™, a uniquely Hawaiʻi approach to DT
• Facets of Design Thinking:  Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test, Implement
• Tools of Design Thinking:  Empathy Mapping, Creative Confidence, Digital Storytelling
• Foundations of ALOHA:  Akahai, Lokahi, ʻOluʻolu, Haʻahaʻa, Ahonui as design principles

The desired outcome is to engage students in community problem-solving and solution-generation using this unique approach.  By the end of this school year, participating pathway students will complete a project utilizing the ALOHA x Design approach to identify and address a need within their community

1. Teachers were open and receptive to learning this DT approach
2. Students are able to engage in real and relevant community problem solving
3. Students are able to provide meaningful solutions for their community

1. Time constraints – coordinating time to meet with community subjects/partners was a challenge due to work schedules and student availability as well as project due dates.  

Teacher participants expressed that this was indeed a unique approach to design thinking and was able to learn how to apply this approach to their work to engage their students in the DT process more effectively.  The individual support was also critical in the success of these kumu to train their students to use this process in a problem-based project.  When teachers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to successfully implement their lessons, the outcomes are remarkable.  The teacher-training component was well organized, well executed, and well received which was foundational to the success of the student outcomes.