Design Thinking in Action: OIC Brighton Students Tackle Real-World Enterprise Challenges

Turning Ideas into Impact 

This week, our Year 9 and 10 students stepped into the world of innovation through an exciting Design Thinking Enterprise Challenge. Working in small teams, they took on a Dragons’ Den-style task: identify a real-world problem, design a solution, build a prototype, and pitch their idea to a panel of investors. 

From reducing food waste in school kitchens to supporting independent living for elderly people, students engaged with meaningful, real-life issues. The challenge not only sparked creativity but also demonstrated how ideas can evolve into practical, purposeful solutions.

A Structured Approach to Innovation 

Throughout four sessions, students followed a proven process used by leading companies and entrepreneurs worldwide. 

They began by deeply understanding the problem. Rather than rushing to solutions, students focused on empathy, exploring the experiences and challenges of the people they were designing for. This led to clearly defined problem statements, rooted in real needs. 

From there, teams generated a wide range of ideas before selecting and developing their strongest concept. They mapped out features, considered target audiences, and refined their thinking with purpose and direction. 

From Concept to Creation 

In the third session, ideas moved off the page and into physical form. Using recycled materials such as cardboard, plastic, and fabric, students created quick prototypes designed to demonstrate how their product would work. 

The focus was not on perfection, but on clarity. Each model had to communicate value and functionality. This encouraged students to think practically, testing their ideas and identifying areas for improvement.

The Final Pitch 

The challenge concluded with a high-energy pitching session. Each team presented their product in just three minutes, aiming to convince the panel to invest. They were then questioned on key business considerations including pricing, costs, profitability, and competition. 

Students rose to the occasion, demonstrating confidence, clarity, and an impressive ability to think on their feet. 

Building Essential Future Skills 

While the challenge was engaging and fast-paced, it also developed a powerful set of skills. Students strengthened their critical thinking by carefully analysing problems and testing ideas. Creativity was central, as teams explored innovative solutions and refined their concepts. 

They also gained valuable business insight, developing an understanding of cost, profit, and market demand, alongside communication skills through pitching and answering challenging questions. Teamwork and resilience were equally important, as students collaborated, adapted to feedback, and improved their ideas throughout the process. 

Using AI Thoughtfully 

A unique feature of the challenge was the structured use of AI. Each team was given a limited number of “AI tokens,” requiring them to think carefully before using the tool. This encouraged purposeful engagement with AI as a support for thinking, rather than a shortcut, reinforcing the importance of human creativity and judgement. 

Preparing for the Real World 

The design thinking model students followed reflects the same approach used by successful businesses and entrepreneurs. It teaches a vital mindset: understand the problem first, test ideas early, and refine them based on feedback. 

These are not just academic skills. They are essential for university applications, future careers, and everyday problem-solving. Students also experienced the importance of communicating ideas clearly, working effectively in teams, and responding constructively to challenge. 

Celebrating Our Young Entrepreneurs 

Most importantly, students discovered that a great idea is only the beginning. Real success comes from developing, testing, and presenting that idea with confidence and clarity. 

We are incredibly proud of the creativity, resilience, and enthusiasm shown by every team. The future looks bright for our aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs.