How can students use creativity to solve real-world problems? This session introduces the 21 Things 4 Students Design Thinking Thing, where learners take on the challenge of human-centered problem-solving. Through hands-on Quests, students move step by step through the design thinking process: identifying a problem, brainstorming ideas, prototyping solutions, testing, and sharing results.

Teachers and curriculum teams will discover how this Thing:

• Connects with familiar processes like the scientific method and engineering design while emphasizing human-centered solutions.
  
• Encourages collaboration as students work in teams to tackle meaningful challenges.
  
• Builds critical thinking, creativity, and resilience through prototyping and testing ideas.
  
• Inspires students to see themselves as changemakers who can make a positive impact.
  

Whether integrated into STEM, advisory, or project-based learning, Design Thinking equips students with the mindset and tools to turn problems into possibilities.

How do students learn to think like problem-solvers, creators, and coders? This session explores the 21 Things 4 Students Computational Thinking Thing, where learners dive into the four key stages of computational thinking—decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms. By breaking down problems, spotting patterns, filtering details, and building step-by-step solutions, students gain the strategies needed to tackle challenges across math, science, writing, and even everyday life.

Teachers and curriculum teams will discover how this unit:

• Equips students with practical tools for analyzing and solving complex problems.
• Builds connections between computational thinking and real-world problem solving.
• Transitions naturally into coding as students apply their strategies to create games and automate tasks.
• Strengthens logical thinking, creativity, and confidence through hands-on Quests and Gold-level challenges.

Whether used to enhance STEM learning or integrated across subject areas, Computational Thinking empowers students to approach challenges with clarity, creativity, and confidence.

What does it mean to live your best digital life? This session introduces the 21 Things 4 Students My Digital Life Thing, where learners dive into their personalities, learning styles, and strengths while discovering how technology can support them in personalized ways. Alongside self-reflection, students also build critical habits for staying safe, balanced, and intentional in their online lives.

Teachers and curriculum teams will see how this Thing:

• Uses interactive tools to help students identify personality traits, strengths, and challenges.
  
• Encourages students to reflect on their learning processes and set strategies for growth.
  
• Shows students how to choose and apply tech tools that align with their unique styles.
  
• Promotes digital well-being by teaching intentional and safe online practices.

Whether woven into advisory programs, embedded in core content, or used as stand-alone Quests, My Digital Life helps students better understand themselves—and equips them with the digital habits to thrive.

Use literature to get your students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Participants in this virtual event learn to use these resources with students in a virtual environment and how to implement Design Thinking.

Each of the titles selected for the project shares a story where something was built or invented by designing, planning, gathering materials, and creating. In addition to strengthening literacy skills, your students will develop inquiry and problem-solving skills. They will also see that with perseverance, anyone can be innovative and invent new things. The project is available for free at stemandlit.com.

Participation will be confirmed 3 weeks in advance so a box of materials (including a free book that is part of our project) can be shipped to each participant before the event.