how we do it

little DESIGN LAB aims to develop students’ creative critical problem solving abilities by teaching a design learning curriculum. The purpose is to supplement current STEAM standards by introducing design based projects that foster cohesive development. To do so, the little DESIGN LAB curriculum shall stress the entirety of the methodology, including but not limited to: research, development / exploration, experimentation / execution, evaluation and reiteration.

The intention of stressing design thinking and design learning is to provide students with a creative outlet which allows them a means to express themselves creatively with real-world applications and implications. To do so, little DESIGN LAB shall utilize the many tools of the design industry including but not limited to, 3D cad software, 3D printers, laser engravers and CNC routers. Projects may range in scale and scope based on the needs and desires of the students and instructors. The objectives of each project shall remain the development of students into critical creative problem solvers.

At little DESIGN LAB, we believe in learning through doing. As such, our curriculum is structured around hands-on experiences. These lessons are meant to teach students through doing, through failing and through trying again. Because learning is a continuum, we follow a design-thinking methodology which focuses on process rather than simply aiming for some arbitrary end result. Going beyond traditional K-12 education, little DESIGN LAB aspires to integrate the entirety of the learning experience by balancing the fundamentals of STEAM with the ingenuity of design. It is our ambition to provide a supportive environment which fosters critical thinking, analysis and application. Students shall be taught how to think. Our objective is to instill every student with the skills, confidence and poise to address any problem; whether it is in their careers or just in everyday life. Below is a working curriculum which outlines a general syllabus. Actual syllabi and projects shall be coordinated accordingly and adjusted as necessary.

little DESIGN LAB is classified as a 501c(3) non-profit organization by the standards of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Tax ID Number: 81-0911066