Before the Activity

• Set up a whiteboard or large collaborative surface where ideas can be visually grouped and categorized
• Ensure students have access to sticky notes and markers
• Emphasize that brainstorming is a judgment-free zone. All ideas—no matter how wild or impractical—are valid and welcome at this stage.
• Explain that the goal is quantity over quality at first. This is about generating as many ideas as possible to find creative gems.
• Provide examples of futuristic vehicles or energy systems to inspire students before they start brainstorming.
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  • Make sure students understand the flow of the activity:
    • Individual brainstorming: Rapid idea generation.
    • Group brainstorming: Collaborative clustering and refinement.
    • Narrowing down ideas: Selecting feasible options for further exploration.

During the Activity

• Use a timer to create urgency for generating 10+ ideas. Encourage students to focus on creativity, not perfection.
  • Suggest prompts for those who feel stuck, such as:
    • What would transportation look like in a world without gravity?
    • What new renewable energy systems could power vehicles?

• Part 2: Whiteboard Brainstorm

  • Guide the group discussion as a facilitator, not a director. Let students share their ideas freely, but:
    • Help categorize and cluster similar concepts on the whiteboard.
    • Identify patterns and gaps to stimulate further discussion.
  • Pose open-ended questions to expand on ideas:
    • “What makes this idea futuristic?”
    • “How could this solve a specific problem in the world you imagined?”
    • “Could this work on a larger or smaller scale?”

• Part 3: Group Formation

  • Encourage diverse groups with complementary skills and perspectives.
  • Offer support to teams struggling to narrow down their ideas. Help them weigh options by asking:
    • “Which idea excites you most?”
    • “Which idea feels most feasible or impactful?”
  • Suggest that each group sketch rough ideas rather than aiming for polished drawings. The focus is on clarity and vision.

After the Activity

• Have each group share their selected idea and briefly explain why they chose it. This can spark excitement and provide accountability.
• Ensure students understand that this chosen concept will be the foundation for the rest of their studio work.
• Take photos of the whiteboard or digital workspace to document the brainstorming session.
• Collect individual and group sketches for reference as students move into the next phases of the studio.