MYP Design Year 1 · Unit 5 · Lesson 38
Product Development
L38 · 01

Improve Your Learning Space

The major Year 1 project begins by noticing one small learning-space problem worth solving well.

Student Materials
Project lens
A
UNDERSTANDInvestigate a familiar user and learning-space problem.
B
DEVELOPTurn evidence into clear, feasible ideas.
C
CREATEPlan and make a small physical product.
D
EVALUATETest authentically and use evidence to judge success.
Use ← → / Space to navigate.Unit 5 · Lesson 38
Major Project
Improve Your Learning Space
L38 · 02
Design a small physical product that improves organization, storage, support, access, transportation, or use of learning materials in a familiar learning space.
Small

Teacher-approved size and realistic classroom build scope.

Physical

Electronics and programming are not required.

Familiar

User and problem come from everyday learning life.

Testable

Success can be checked through authentic use.

Possible categories: holder · stand · organizer · storage · support · carrying solutionTeacher approval required
Learning Focus
Notice before choosing
L38 · 03

By the end of today, students can…

01

Observe

a familiar learning space for specific problems.

02

Record

who is affected, what happens, and why it matters.

03

Shortlist

a problem that is safe, specific, and feasible to design for.

Criterion A project launchNo solution commitment yet
Mini-Lesson
A strong opportunity is small and observable
L38 · 04
Specific

“Short rulers disappear behind taller supplies.”

Human

A user experiences the difficulty.

Observable

You can point to evidence in the situation.

Feasible

A small physical product could realistically improve it.

Avoid “school is disorganized.”Problem scale
Project Boundaries
Keep the challenge appropriate
L38 · 05

Good directions stay inside the learning-space system.

desk / table organizationaccess to toolssmall-material storagebook / device supportcarrying learning materialsvisibility / sorting
OUT OF SCOPE

Large furniture, electrical devices, products that support a person’s body weight, food-contact products, weapons, or projects requiring unsafe tools/materials.

Teacher sets any additional room-specific limits.Safe + manageable
Workshop
Learning-Space Problem Hunt
L38 · 06
Workshop

Observe the space before imagining the product.

STEP 01

Scan

Observe desks, storage, materials, transitions, and everyday routines.

STEP 02

Record

Write what happens, who it affects, and evidence you can see.

STEP 03

Shortlist

Choose two opportunities that are specific and feasible.

No final design ideas yet.Main workshop
Opportunity Filter
Which problem deserves the project?
L38 · 07

Real?

Can I observe or describe the actual difficulty?

Useful?

Would improving it matter to a user?

Small?

Can a physical product address a manageable part?

Testable?

Could a user later test whether it improved the situation?

Teacher approval after shortlist.Prepare L39
Exit Reflection
Choose the problem, not the product
L38 · 08

Finish one sentence.

“The opportunity I want to investigate further is _______ because _______.”

Next lesson

Students formally explain and justify the need for a solution for one approved learning-space problem.

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