1. Creativity & Problem Solving
Workshop 2
Creativity & Problem Solving

2. Circles worksheet
Collect a worksheet
Turn each of the circles into something else (eg a pizza, tomato, clock etc.)
5 mins

3. What is creative thinking?
In pairs, discuss what creative thinking means to you.
What do creative people do?
How does a creative person approach a task?
Can you think of examples of when you have been creative in your thinking?
Write down your thoughts on the whiteboard/paper provided
5 mins

4. What is creative thinking?
Tips for coming up with new ideas
Try to:
Imagine different scenarios: “What if…”
Visualise the situation (eg draw a cartoon)
Combine ideas from different subjects
Think from someone else’s viewpoint
Brainstorm ideas with other people

5. Work in teams to develop an idea for improving a pencil.
Improve a pencil
Work in teams to develop an idea for improving a pencil.
Do this in three stages:
Brainstorm
Shortlist
Develop
At the end you will present your final idea as a team.

6. Everyone in the group should contribute ideas
Improve a pencil
Brainstorm improving a pencil (eg by adding an additional function, making it more environmentally friendly, or more fun to use).
Everyone in the group should contribute ideas
Do not criticise other people’s ideas
All ideas should be written down (even silly ones)
5 mins

7. Shortlist two or three ideas that you think are worth taking forward.
Improve a pencil
Shortlist two or three ideas that you think are worth taking forward.
List the advantages and disadvantages of each idea
Remove any ideas that are not practical
Vote for your favourite one
5 mins

8. Develop one idea into a more complete final proposal.
Improve a pencil
Develop one idea into a more complete final proposal.
Can you combine two (or more) ideas to make a better one?
Think about how your idea:
Might work
Be built
5 mins

9. Present to the rest of the group Share your shortlist of ideas
Improve a pencil
Present to the rest of the group
Share your shortlist of ideas
Describe your final idea
Explain how/why your group decided on the final idea
10 mins