What We Do

Design Challenges can be built around problems big or small and provide opportunities to develop hard-to-nurture skills like communication (written, oral, and digital) inquiry, curiosity, critical thinking, team work, bias toward action, reflection, and iteration of work.

We will help you identify alignment between our approach and your district Learner Profile or Graduate Profile.

Design Challenge competitions focus on problems that need solutions NOW, tapping into students passion and purpose for making the world a better place.

Teachers are guided through the Design Challenge process

• Healthy Earth Design Challenge

• Equitable Communities Design Challenge

Each Spring and Fall, Construct enrolls new schools to join our Design Challenge Competitions. We engage industry thought-leaders and mentors to support student learning and inspire innovative solutions.

Every Design Challenge culminates with a pitch celebration and award ceremony.  We are honored to support teachers throughout the entire process.

1. Cohort of Middle and High Schools (teacher and student teams)

2. Problem Starters

   • Healthy Earth 

   • Equitable Schools 

3. A Call to Action Video with industry thought leaders to inspire student teams as they launch into the challenge.

4. Teacher Support Package which includes: 6 hours pre-learning preparation(spread over two weeks), pacing calendar+ coaching calls, and design toolkit with facilitators guide.

5. Industry Mentor coaching sessions for students. 

6. Pitch Submission Guidelines and Judging Criteria. 

7. Celebration of Student Work with prizes, awards, and recognition.

8. Student Learning Report provided to teachers and principal

We prioritize, develop, and price our services for Title 1 schools, as well as schools supporting majority underserved communities and first generation students. Design Challenges are accessible to the widest variety of learning styles, connecting more young people to the STEM, Invention, and Innovation fields.

In addition to the tools needed to lead your students through a Design Challenge, Construct offers online professional development courses for, CE credit, to guide teachers through the design process step-by-step.

Teachers learn how to incorporate design thinking into their daily practice by coaching students through the innovation process.

This comprehensive approach helps foster student soft skill development including creativity, collaboration, project management, and empathy. We can help you identify the alignment between our approach and your district’s learner/graduate profile.