𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟭

Between November 2023 and June 2024, I taught a class of 9 Grade 11 local students 3 Modules of the CLAP-TECH Pathway Multimedia Storytelling for Social Good course, here are some highlights of our journey together.

Why do we teach creativity and innovation? 

Do we want more 'innovative' products that we don't really need? Or do we genuinely try to solve problems for one another?

Creativity and innovation 101: 

1. For whom and what reasons are we innovating for? 
   

2. Between most feasible and most effective, do we always go for what is the easiest? Or what matters most to people? 
   

3. If nothing tangible can be changed, how might we shift behaviour through better informed decisions with better communications. 

My approach to creativity training: Help students to see and think of possibilities (CAN) 🙋‍♀️ 👌 rather than limitations (CANNOT) 🙅‍♂️ .

There are many ways to sell Kit-Kat & Oreo (snacks have gotta be the most relatable and exciting design subject matter among local students 😛 ), just as these 16 years old come up with many creative yet practical ways to shorten the queueing time at the cafeteria in school during lunchtime, and have better arrangements for students during typhoon students... 

Again, very relatable to them, maybe is time for us to start involving the actual users - the students, to co-design what serves their best interests. 

Design for Advocacy: 'Bullying' & 'Dreams vs Reality' - Design research practice on perspectives of the bullies and being bullied, why, how did it feel and impact... 

Fear: Fear of being laughed at, fear of failure... honest and heartfelt sharing for an informed short video production.

💫Aspiration: On-campus experience for many whom had never been to a University, whom are very talented, but deemed unlikely to qualify for undergrad. progam under the current system. 

🔭Envision: Empathy mapping for future selves in 5 years, future visioning of who we want to be, whom we would like to serve, and the positive social impact we like to contribute to.

💪🏻Empowerment: Work as teams in a university setting to experience life as undergraduates, empower 'Yes, we CAN' thinking to counter the 'No, you won't' mindset.

They were so super motivated and completed their project book at record speed in high quality... at the end of this special class, they said, 'Wonder when could we be in a HKU classroom again...?'  My reply, 'You must believe you all CAN enter this university! Where there is a will, there is a way!' 

Last class with parting gift: 

Remember who we are designing for ~ Empathy 

Believe in yourselves and why we are here ~ Purpose 

With the empathy Map for 'Me' in 5 years, what I will be doing, whom I serve and the positive social impact that I will make. 

One of them said, 'I am gonna put it next to my bed and look at it every day...' 

Giving them voices so they feel HEARD, RESPECTED & VALUED

On the last Changemaker Session of AIESEC Hong Kong's 'Youth To Sustainability 2024', I introduced my students to the room full of undergraduates and fellow Grade 11 students as target users to be interviewed by our young designers for sustainability, completing the process.

Just look at their faces, rarely anyone ask them what they feel, want or need... mostly they were told what to do, what they can or cannot... 

YES, they CAN! They all CAN! 🙏🏻🔥🙏🏻 

About CLAP-TECH

The CLAP-TECH Pathway (“CLAP-TECH”) is funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as part of the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative. A tripartite partnership between secondary schools, industry partners and the Hong Kong Baptist University, the project equips students with valuable skills, competencies and work ethics via non-traditional education pathways, enabling them to take on “new collar” roles that are increasingly popular across industries.