IDEA

GENERATION
 CONTENTS
LESSON OVERVIEW /04

LESSON PREPARATION /06

ACTIVITY 1: GROUP BRAINSTORMING /10

& GROUP BRAINWRITING
Duration: 40 minutes

ACTMTV 2: ROLE PLAYING /16

Duration: 35 minutes

ACTMTV 3: REVERSE BRAINSTORMING /20

Duration: 45 minutes

ACTMTV 4: VISUAL IDEA GENERATION /24

Duration: 45 minutes
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INTRODUCTION be-f-ovt." - S\.tl Silvtvsttin
Idea generation is the process of forming, revising, pondering, and sharing new
ideas of any kind-realistic, abstract, or anywhere in between. Brainstorming (in all
its forms) is probably the best-known method of idea generation. It's important
because it helps people say their ideas out loud, however silly they may seem.
Once an idea is out in the open, it can be recorded, developed and tested. It is
important for students to understand that if ideas are never shared, they can never
go any further than just that-an idea! Once an idea is shared, it becomes a
possibility. Sharing ideas in a group has the added advantage that it can evolve and
morph into other ideas and they can spark additional new ideas. Entrepreneurs
rarely keep ideas to themselves - they talk about them and share them and see
where they can go with them.

Most students will be familiar with the general concept of brainstorming - where
either an individual or a group of people come up with as many new ideas as
possible for a specific topic or problem. Entrepreneurs in all fields use
brainstorming techniques whenever they need new ideas related to any aspect of
entrepreneurial activity, such as product development, concept improvement, and,
in particular, problem solving.

Visual idea generation methods offer an alternative approach to brainstorming

that can help students tap into their entrepreneurial creativity. These methods
build on the creativity techniques of observation and play (found in the Creativity
lesson). By using imagery and role-playing, entrepreneurs can e><plore situations
and ideas in creative ways. This can lead to more unusual or novel ways to solve
problems. Visual methods provide the opportunity to explore ideas in more detail,
play around with them, and look at things from different perspectives. Often when
using these techniques, entrepreneurs find it stimulates completely new lines of
thought, understanding, and ideas.

In this lesson, students will learn how to generate ideas as a team to solve
problems, which will include role-playing as fun characters and working to find
solutions for people with challenges in daily life. Students will transform regular
objects into new things and think up creative new uses for products they know and
may use regularly. Teams will even get to make problems worse before they can
make them better, a fun strategy for idea generation known as reverse
brainstorming. Students will learn the rules of brainstorming and step into the
shoes of another person to help solve problems creatively and in teams. They will
generate tons of new ideas and learn that no idea is bad or too crazy and
brainstorming is all about getting as many ideas out there as possible!

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 4) Some ideas for this game (in case students get stuck) are:
• Let's jog in place.

• Let's be hungry tigers at the zoo.

• Let's drive a motorcycle.

• Let's cook and flip a pancake.

• Let's be superheroes.

• Let's be pilots.

• Let's be snakes.

Role Play ( 25 min)

S) Divide students into groups of 2-4. Use Group Up!for ideas on grouping kids. Ask
students to remind you what brainstorming is. Review for them that brainstorming
is coming up with lots of new ideas by yourself or in a group and that you can
write, draw, or talk about ideas when brainstorming. Also remind students that no
idea is too crazy. This last point will be especially important today, as students are
going to have to think about wild ideas to solve problems acting as fictional/non­
fictional characters.

6) Give each group of students a Role Play Idea Generation Card. Hand out the Role
Play Brainstorming Sheet as well (you can decide if you'd like each student to have
one or for groups to share one and switch off writing answers). Instruct students to
follow along as you read the Entrepreneur's Mindset box out loud. Have them read
it with you a second time and point out that during the lesson, they may notice
themselves using this mindset. The mindset will be discussed in-depth during post
activity questions. E><plain that sometimes we all get stuck (even entrepreneurs)
when trying to come up with ideas, so it can help to pretend to be someone else
and think of how they would solve a problem.

7) Say something like, "Today, you're going to get a card with a character and a
problem. Your job is to pretend to be different characters and brainstorm solutions
to their problems. Remember to brainstorm as that character, not as yourself, so
really try to think of what they would do. Since you're working in groups, make sure
everyone's ideas get heard, and remember that no idea is too wild and crazy. Follow
the Brainstorming Rules here too. Your ideas don't even have to be able to happen
in real life. That's the fun of stepping into a character's shoes. Try to do some
writing AND drawing, even if you're just writing a few words. You don't have to do
complete sentences for this. If we have time, you'll get a new card with a different
character and problem.

8) Model the process by picking one of the Role Play Idea Generation Cards and having
the whole group brainstorm solutions to the problem. Then have student groups do
this as many times as you have time for.

Idea Generation (Grades 1-2)

 ACTIVITY 3: REVERSE
BRAINSTORMING
INTRODUCTION

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 ACTIVITY 4: VISUAL IDEA
GENERATION
INTRODUCTION

'1 venturelab
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