Future Problem Solving Training Generating Solutions Future Problem Solving Training

Brainstorming One way to find ideas is to Brainstorm. Let’s brainstorm some ideas for this underlying problem . . .

The Underlying Problem: Because there are “No Out-Doors Watering” laws, how might we create beautiful yards without water so people will want to live in Idaho by the year 2015?

Remember These Brainstorming Rules: No criticism: No ideas are wrong as long as they have something to do with the topic. Unusual ideas are welcome: It’s o.k. to be strange! Combine ideas: You can sometimes put two ideas together to make a new idea.

How might we create beautiful yards without water…so people will want to live in Idaho. Focus on quantity: Think of as many answers to the question as fast as you can. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10.

Finding Solutions Brainstorming is only one of many ways to get your brain going when looking for solutions. Another way is to put your problem through Torrance’s four kinds of being creative.

Torrance on Creativity Paul Torrance made a test to see how creative people were. They were scored on… Fluency Flexibility Originality Elaboration See if you can be find solutions to the Ant and the Grasshopper Fable using Paul’s words.

Torrance on Creativity Fluency. Think of as many ideas as you can that answer this question: How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants? Try for at least 10.

How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants? Here are a few of my ideas: Throw a party but invite no ants. Teach the grasshopper the language of the spiders. Give him an reversed periscope with speakers so he can see worms and invite them up for a chat. Have him read Charlotte's Web so he can learn how to be friendly. Teach him a song about friendship so he can keep his goal in his mind.

Throw it Out??? No idea is wrong! Does it matter that worms are not really insects? No. We are still using brainstorming rules. No idea is wrong!

Torrance on Creativity Flexibility. Think of many solutions to “How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?” in these categories: Money: Education: Technology: Recreation: Politics:

How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants? Here are a few of my ideas: Money: Give him money to pass out so that he can buy some friends. Education: Show him pictures of other insects so he will recognize them when they pass by. Technology: Show him how to respond to Potato Bug blogs. Recreation: Make him the captain of the Walking Stick basket ball team. Politics: Introduce him to a campaign manager so he can campaign for friends.

Torrance on Creativity Originality. See if you can come up with a solution to “How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?” that no one else in the class did. Remember, strange is good.

How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants? Write down your Original solution.

How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants? Here is one of my ideas: 3. Give him an reversed periscope with speakers so he can see earth worms and invite them up for a chat. I’m pretty sure no one else thought of that one. But that doesn’t there are no more original ideas. There are plenty! Keep looking!

Torrance on Creativity Elaboration. This means we add details to a simple idea:

See if you can do it… Find or create a simple solution and write it down. Now make it more complex. Add things to it to make it better. Think of high tech. additions.

How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants? Here is one of my ideas: 2. Teach the grasshopper the language of the spiders. Elaborated: Create a universal translator so he can speak to all insects in their own languages. One that attaches to his throat. Also, be sure that he has receptors by his ears are that will interpret what the insects say back.

There are many other creativity tools but this should get you started There are many other creativity tools but this should get you started. If you empty your head quickly and it seems there is no more in there, be sure to Find friends to brainstorm with Remember the four words: *Fluency *Flexibility *Originality *Elaboration