Small Hands, Big Ideas! – Aanya Arora, BArch 24

Monday 7th August 2023

Small Hands, Big Ideas!

I have been witnessing the unbridled creativity and boundless imagination of children. Over the past weeks, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to observe them as they approach various design challenges, their ideas soaring far beyond conventional expectations. These young minds possess an innate ability to envision possibilities that often astound us, proving that innovation knows no age limits.

Empowering Students Through Innovative Design Workshops

The enthusiasm and energy radiating from these students during the design workshops have been nothing short of inspiring. It’s clear that they possess a treasure trove of remarkable ideas, waiting to be harnessed. As I guided them through activities such as designing a protective holder for a water balloon, constructing a boat capable of carrying numerous Jenga blocks, and crafting a lightweight car, I witnessed their natural inclination to push the boundaries of their imagination.

Students set out to create a boat capable of holding as many Jenga blocks as possible. Through iterative design, they grappled with concepts of stability, shape, and material properties. This hands-on experience reinforced the invaluable lesson of continuous improvement and they quickly realized that innovation is a process, involving testing, redesigning, and fine-tuning to achieve the desired outcome. I created a supplies market which featured an assortment of materials including wooden lollipop sticks, balloons, straws, cups, string, and rubber bands. The catch? Each student could only choose four items. This approach not only taught resourcefulness but also established creative boundaries, prompting the young designers to think innovatively within limitations. I observed that with access to diverse materials, their creative thinking expanded exponentially. 

Interestingly, one student stood out for his unique approach. Overcoming a visual impairment, he delved beyond conventional notions of buoyancy. He crafted a steering mechanism using only balloons, wooden sticks, and rubber bands. This ingenious contraption allowed the boat to maneuver in various directions based on the tilt of the stick. His innovation showcased how diverse perspectives can lead to breakthrough solutions. 

I discovered that the car workshop appeared overly straightforward for the students, given that the car’s structure is already pre-established. As a result, their vehicles exhibited striking resemblances, reflecting a reduced emphasis on creative ideation regarding the forms. Other workshops like the water balloon holder and the boat allowed them to think more creatively as there isn’t a predetermined expected form. 

Upcycling Workshop: Transforming Waste into Artistry 

Shifting gears from young minds to the waste-picker women community, I embarked on an upcycling workshop. Armed with a vision of transforming everyday waste into useful and aesthetically pleasing objects, I explored innovative ways to repurpose materials. One such endeavor involved weaving plastic milk bags to create functional items. Additionally, I experimented with turning plastic wrappers and bags into crochet-ready materials.Central to this workshop was the idea of empowering these women to turn waste into usable surfaces. The goal was to enable them to craft items such as tote bags, wallets, boxes, and even textiles for furniture. By providing them the tools to create sellable products aligned with their interests, the workshop aimed to offer them a new sense of agency and income potential.A pivotal meeting with the Voice to Waste team solidified the workshop’s potential impact. The idea of teaching these women how to transform waste into unique surfaces resonated strongly, as it aligned with their mission of sustainability and empowerment.

Nurturing Innovation, One Idea at a Time

The children’s boundless ideas are testaments to the power of creativity when guided with care and intention. By providing the space, tools, and encouragement needed to innovate, we were able unlock solutions that transcend expectations and make lasting positive impacts on individuals and communities alike. After all, it’s in the smallest of hands that the biggest ideas often flourish.