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IDEA Design Academy Sample Schedule

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This IDEA Design academy will be held in-person for a commuter experience on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus.

Below is the sample schedule for a student in the Design Academy with topics that the academy will cover during the week. Schedule is subject to change.

*Commuter students will be given options to engage in some evening activities pre-planned ahead of time with their cohort. All activities are supervised by a residential or program assistant. Those events are not reflected in this sample schedule.

8:00amDrop-off (Commuter) 
9:00amWelcome Orientation
• Introductions, Ice Breaker, Activity
 
11:00amLecture Topics:
• Intro to design thinking for problem solving                                         
Lecture Goals:
• Explain how the design process can be used for problem solving a problem area of interest
12:00pmLunch 
1:00pmLecture Topics:
• What problems do you want to solve?
Lecture Goals:
• Identifying when to use design
5:00pmPick-up (Commuter) 
8:00amDrop-off (Commuter) 
9:00amLecture Topics:
• Who am I designing with?
Lecture Goals:
• Discuss how and when to engage with a community to understand a problem
12:00pmLunch 
1:00pmLecture Topics:
• What is their journey (map)?                                           
Lecture Goals:
• Create a journey map for a community based on a problem they want to solve
5:00pmPick-up (Commuter) 
8:00amDrop-off (Commuter) 
9:00amLecture Topics:
• Sketches, Mockups, and Prototypes                               
Lecture Goals:
• Define sketches, mock-ups and prototypes in the context of experimenting with a hypothesis
• Develop, share, and iterate upon a sketch, mockup, or prototype for a problem area of interest
12:00pmLunch 
1:00pmLecture Topics:
• What could go wrong?                                       
Lecture Goals:
• Discuss the unintended consequences of using the design process and the solutions it creates
5:00pmPick-up (Commuter) 
8:00amDrop-off (Commuter) 
9:00amLecture Topics:
• Quick-and-dirty usability tests                                                    
Lecture Goals:
• Provide peer feedback
12:00pmLunch 
1:00pmLecture Topics:
• Pitching a design concept                                                                                               
Lecture Goals:
• Develop and present a pitch deck of a design solution to gain support from decision makers and provide a road map for moving forward
5:00pmPick-up (Commuter) 
8:00amDrop-off (Commuter) 
9:00amLecture Topics:
• Reflecting back: Our journey map                                                    
Lecture Goals:
• Identify individual skills or characteristics developed over the week
12:00pmLunch 
1:00pmIndividual ReflectionLecture Goals:
• Identify and pursue opportunities that align with their values and goals
5:00pmBreak to get ready for dinner and ceremony 
6:00pmDinner & Certificate Ceremony for students 

Voted one of the country's best summer programs for pre-college students by College Consensus.

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The University has adopted a Protection of Minors Policy to promote the well-being and safety of minors who participate in programs or activities run by or associated with Rutgers. The policy includes requirements relating to reporting suspected abuse or neglect of minors, completing relevant online training, and undergoing background checks for Authorized Adults and people in Direct Contact Positions as defined by the policy. Non-University organizations that wish to operate programs or activities involving minors on RU campuses must ensure their programs are run consistent with the guidelines of the University’s Protection of Minors Policy and the Guide to Working with Minors. For more information, please visit protectminors.rutgers.edu.

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