MIT Day Of Design
Students from Sri Adwayananda Public School recently participated in the MIT Day of Design – Ice Cream Workshop — an engaging and thoughtfully structured design-thinking experience.
The workshop focused on the role of two types of research in design: observation-based (primary) research and precedent research. Students were divided into five groups and challenged with an intriguing real-world design brief:
Design a device that enables someone to walk, text, and eat ice cream from a bowl with a spoon — simultaneously.
Students began with primary research and observation before moving into sketching and an introduction to low-fidelity prototyping. Using simple materials such as cardboard, they created stand-ins for phones and rapidly generated multiple ideas. Each group sketched several quick concepts, selected three to prototype, and moved through three timed building rounds to test and refine their solutions.
Through this iterative process, abstract ideas evolved into tangible designs.
Importantly, students discovered that their adaptive devices reflected the principles of inclusive design — creating solutions that make everyday tasks more accessible for people with permanent, temporary, or situational challenges. This concept was further contextualized through reference to an MIT Museum event focused on accessibility in design, adding deeper real-world relevance.
Teachers described the session as an exceptional learning experience. Students demonstrated:
• Focus and sustained engagement
• Conceptual clarity
• Effective time management
• Careful attention to instructions
• Strong collaboration and teamwork
The workshop concluded with student reflections on their design process, reinforcing the value of research, iteration, and collective problem-solving.
At Sri Adwayananda Public School, we believe strong academics must be complemented by meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare students for the complexities of the real world.
For families seeking this thoughtful balance — along with attentive care and a nurturing community — we warmly invite you to connect with us.
