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Systems Design
Systems design challenges present learners with a real-world problem that is part of a complex system. Whether they are delivering a vaccine to a remote area or determining the viability of a new green tech product in their local community, students will experience how their decisions produce ripple effects.
Lessons marked with an orange gear icon address engineering within the Next Generation Science Standards.
What is Systems Design?
This MasterClass series filmed in partnership with Discovery Education provides quick tips for facilitating the different stages of systems design challenges.
Overview
Learn how systems design challenges build learners’ problem solving capacity, empowering them to create change for global good.
Connecting to Real-world Problems
Educators and students reflect on how systems design challenges develop empathy and career connections through real-world problems.
Developing Innovative Solutions
Students use the innovation design process to imagine, create and test solutions to complex systems design problems.
Sharing Solutions
See how systems design challenges build learners confidence that they can communicate creative solutions to complex problems.
Systems Design Lessons
Food Waste: Goodr
Grades K-12
Use this video and prompt to spark engagement: How can we stop throwing away perfectly good food and use it to feed the people who need it?
AI Inclusiveness
Grades 6-8
Explore the problem of bias in artificial intelligence through design activities and a series of video clips featuring The Tech for Global Good laureate, AI4ALL. 
Lesson: 190 minutes
Medical Supply Availability
Grades 6-8
Explore the problem of medical supply availability through design activities and a series of video clips featuring The Tech for Global Good laureate, Zipline.
Lesson: 180 minutes
Organizing Activism
Grades 6-8
Explore the role of the internet in an individuals’ ability to create change. Includes design activities and a series of video clips featuring The Tech for Global Good laureate, Amandla.mobi.
Lesson: 190 minutes
The World’s Water Problem
Grades 6-8
Investigate global water issues through design activities and a series of video clips featuring The Tech for Global Good laureate, Solvatten.
Lesson: 180 minutes
Connecting with Climate
Grades 6-12
Explore how to problem-solve when approaching large-scale, multidimensional issues like climate change. (Lab Connection: Down the Drain)
Lesson: 90 minutes
Circular Economy Challenge
Grades 7-12
Consider the challenge of developing a circular economy. Each team of learners develops and presents ideas for sustainable approaches to how items are made and used.
Lesson: Four sessions, 60 minutes each
New Lesson!
Data Challenge
Grades 7-12
Analyze how The Tech for Global Good laureates use data as a tool to solve problems and affect change. As a team create a plan for collecting and using data to address a problem in your own sphere of influence.
Lesson: 90 minutes
Emerging Technologies
Grades 7-12
Examine environmental issues through the lens of four emerging technologies. Working in teams, students consider the challenges these technologies might face if they were adopted in their own communities.
Lesson: Three 60-minute sessions
Save the Species Challenge
Grades 7-12
Develop a solution that assists governments in protecting species in designated areas.
Lesson: Four sessions, 60 minutes each
Vaccine Distribution Challenge
Grades 7-12
Consider the complexities of infrastructure, public health and sociocultural landscapes in designing a solution to distribute a life saving vaccine.
Lesson: Four sessions, 60 minutes each
Tech for Global Good Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Join us as we dive into data-driven innovation in our Tech for Global Good Virtual Field Trip. Students will meet the 2020 Tech for Global Good Laureates – four groundbreaking STEM pros who are rethinking data technology to transform our world for the better. This free, 25-minute virtual experience is available now!
Video: 25 minutes
Pre and Post activities: 90 minutes