Design the Climate-Friendly Product of the Future
Can a shoe help save the planet? What about a water bottle or a backpack?
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In this hands-on program, students become product redesigners. They take something familiar—like a shoe, lunchbox, or water bottle—and investigate how it's made, used, and what happens to it afterward. Then they imagine a better version for people and the planet—and build it using recycled materials.
This project is student-led, age-tailored for grades 4–8, and designed to spark systems thinking, storytelling, and innovation. It works great as a one-off workshop or a deeper exploration within the Climate Innovation Lab.
What Students Do
Here’s how it works—from idea to invention:
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1. Explore the Product's Timeline: Compare how a familiar item—like a sneaker or water bottle—was made in the past, how it’s made now, and how it could be redesigned for a climate-friendly future. Use visuals or stories to spark discussion.
2. Identify the Hot Spots: Break down the product’s life cycle to uncover the stages that cause the most environmental harm—such as sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, or disposal.
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3. Brainstorm and Sketch: Dream up bold alternatives. Students sketch and share early ideas that explore creative, low-impact solutions.
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4. Build a Concept Model: Use recycled or found materials to create a rough prototype that shows how the redesigned product could reduce environmental impact.
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5. Present & Reflect: Students present their final concept to peers and explain what makes it climate-friendly—highlighting how it could reduce pollution, save energy, or encourage better habits.
Learning Goals
​This activity helps students connect creativity with climate action. It’s designed to spark curiosity, build skills, and empower learners to see how their ideas can lead to real-world impact.
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Understand how everyday products are made, used, and what happens to them afterward—and why it matters for the planet
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Learn to think in systems: how one small change can ripple across supply chains, design, and the environment
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Discover the basics of sustainable design and how the circular economy works
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Practice turning big ideas into real-world action through sketching, modeling, presenting, and reflecting
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Build confidence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills
Notes for Educators or Student Facilitators
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Designed for grades 4–8, with flexibility to suit various class styles and learning environments
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Great for STEM, art, design, or project-based learning
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Works well as a 60–90 minute standalone workshop or a 2–3 part creative unit
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Supports student leadership when paired with high school mentor
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Includes:
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Student worksheets
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Teacher/facilitator guide with step-by-step instructions
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Supporting PowerPoint deck for visual storytelling and setup
