Generating Generating SolutionsSolutions

Future Problem Solving TrainingFuture Problem Solving Training

BrainstormingBrainstorming

One way to find ideas is to Brainstorm. Let’s One way to find ideas is to Brainstorm. Let’s brainstorm some ideas for this underlying brainstorm some ideas for this underlying problem . . .problem . . .

The Underlying Problem:The Underlying Problem:

Because there are “No Out-Because there are “No Out-Doors Watering” laws, Doors Watering” laws, how might we create how might we create beautiful yards without beautiful yards without water so people will want water so people will want to live in Idaho by the to live in Idaho by the year 2015?year 2015?

Remember These Remember These Brainstorming Rules:Brainstorming Rules:

No criticismNo criticism: No ideas are wrong as long : No ideas are wrong as long as they have something to do with the as they have something to do with the topic. topic.

Unusual ideas are welcomeUnusual ideas are welcome: It’s o.k. to : It’s o.k. to be strange!be strange!

Combine ideasCombine ideas: You can sometimes put : You can sometimes put two ideas together to make a new idea.two ideas together to make a new idea.

How might we create beautiful yards without water…so How might we create beautiful yards without water…so people will want to live in Idaho. people will want to live in Idaho.

Focus on quantityFocus on quantity: Think of as many answers to : Think of as many answers to the question as fast as you can. the question as fast as you can.

1.1.2.2.3.3.4.4.5.5.6.6.7.7.8.8.9910.10.

Finding SolutionsFinding Solutions

Brainstorming is only one Brainstorming is only one of many ways to get of many ways to get your brain going when your brain going when looking for solutions. looking for solutions.

Another way is to put your Another way is to put your problem through problem through Torrance’s four kinds of Torrance’s four kinds of being creative. being creative.

Torrance on CreativityTorrance on Creativity

Paul Torrance made a test to see how creative Paul Torrance made a test to see how creative people were. They were scored on…people were. They were scored on…

FluencyFluency FlexibilityFlexibility Originality Originality ElaborationElaboration

See if you can be find solutions to the Ant and See if you can be find solutions to the Ant and the Grasshopper Fable using Paul’s words.the Grasshopper Fable using Paul’s words.

Torrance on CreativityTorrance on Creativity

Fluency.Fluency. Think of as Think of as many ideas as you can many ideas as you can that answer this that answer this question: question:

How can we get the How can we get the grasshopper to talk with grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?insects other than ants?

Try for at least 10.Try for at least 10.

How can we get the grasshopper to How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?talk with insects other than ants?

11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1010

How can we get the grasshopper to How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?talk with insects other than ants?

Here are a few of my ideas:Here are a few of my ideas:

1.1. Throw a party but invite no ants.Throw a party but invite no ants.2.2. Teach the grasshopper the Teach the grasshopper the

language of the spiders.language of the spiders.3.3. Give him an reversed periscope Give him an reversed periscope

with speakers so he can see with speakers so he can see worms and invite them up for a worms and invite them up for a chat. chat.

4.4. Have him read Charlotte's Web so Have him read Charlotte's Web so he can learn how to be friendly.he can learn how to be friendly.

5.5. Teach him a song about friendship Teach him a song about friendship so he can keep his goal in his so he can keep his goal in his mind. mind.

Throw it Out???Throw it Out???

Does it matter that worms are Does it matter that worms are not really insects? not really insects?

No. We are still using No. We are still using brainstorming rules. brainstorming rules.

No idea is wrong!No idea is wrong!

Torrance on CreativityTorrance on Creativity

Flexibility.Flexibility. Think of many solutions to “How can Think of many solutions to “How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?” in these categories: than ants?” in these categories:

Money:Money: Education: Education: Technology:Technology: Recreation:Recreation: Politics:Politics:

How can we get the grasshopper to How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?talk with insects other than ants?

Here are a few of my ideas: Here are a few of my ideas:

Money: Give him money to pass out so that he can Money: Give him money to pass out so that he can buy some friends.buy some friends.

Education: Show him pictures of other insects so he Education: Show him pictures of other insects so he will recognize them when they pass by. will recognize them when they pass by.

Technology: Show him how to respond to Potato Bug Technology: Show him how to respond to Potato Bug blogs.blogs.

Recreation: Make him the captain of the Walking Recreation: Make him the captain of the Walking Stick basket ball team.Stick basket ball team.

Politics: Introduce him to a campaign manager so he Politics: Introduce him to a campaign manager so he can campaign for friends. can campaign for friends.

Torrance on CreativityTorrance on Creativity Originality.Originality. See if you can See if you can

come up with a solution to come up with a solution to

““How can we get the How can we get the grasshopper to talk with grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?” insects other than ants?”

that no one else in the class that no one else in the class did. Remember, strange is did. Remember, strange is good.good.

How can we get the grasshopper to How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?talk with insects other than ants?

Write down your Original solution. Write down your Original solution.

How can we get the grasshopper to How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?talk with insects other than ants?

Here is one of my ideas: Here is one of my ideas:

3. Give him an reversed 3. Give him an reversed periscope with speakers periscope with speakers so he can see earth worms so he can see earth worms and invite them up for a and invite them up for a chat.chat.

I’m pretty sure no one else I’m pretty sure no one else thought of that one. But that thought of that one. But that doesn’t there are no more doesn’t there are no more original ideas. There are original ideas. There are plenty! Keep looking!plenty! Keep looking!

Torrance on CreativityTorrance on Creativity

Elaboration.Elaboration. This means we add details This means we add details to a simple idea: to a simple idea:

See if you can do it…See if you can do it…

Find or create a simple solution and write Find or create a simple solution and write it down.it down.

Now make it more complex. Add things to Now make it more complex. Add things to it to make it better. Think of high tech. it to make it better. Think of high tech. additions. additions.

How can we get the grasshopper to How can we get the grasshopper to talk with insects other than ants?talk with insects other than ants?

Here is one of my ideas: Here is one of my ideas:

2.2. Teach the grasshopper the language of Teach the grasshopper the language of the spiders.the spiders.

Elaborated:Elaborated: Create a universal translator so Create a universal translator so he can speak to all insects in their own he can speak to all insects in their own languages. One that attaches to his languages. One that attaches to his throat. Also, be sure that he has throat. Also, be sure that he has receptors by his ears are that will receptors by his ears are that will interpret what the insects say back. interpret what the insects say back.

There are many other creativity There are many other creativity tools but this should get you tools but this should get you started. If you empty your started. If you empty your head quickly and it seems head quickly and it seems there is no more in there, be there is no more in there, be sure to sure to

1.1. Find friends to brainstorm withFind friends to brainstorm with

2.2. Remember the four words: Remember the four words:

*Fluency *Flexibility *Originality *Fluency *Flexibility *Originality *Elaboration *Elaboration