Artist Daniela Steinsapir offered Electives in both Electronic Arts and Digital Storytelling this fall.

"I want them to go beyond the ideas that they already have," said Daniela when she first approached me about her Electronic Arts and Digital Storytelling Electives. "The 7th and 8th grade students often come already tied to one of their ideas, and I want them to broaden and learn how to generate even more possibilities."

Daniela brought in a large quantity of different materials from circuit boards to metal shapes as possible inspiration for the students' creative work.

Students generated ideas by rapidly sketching possibilities. We encouraged them to go into a non-judging space and capture each idea in less than one minute. The quick speed prevents individuals from over-thinking their initial concepts, reduces perfectionism, and often results in new ideas.

"I was really excited by the new projects that my students invented using the brainstorming techniques and mindset," said Daniela. "Most of the students either came up with a new idea or came up a with a way to enhance their original plan."

The students in the Electronic Arts class then returned to the Art Room to realize their concept, using sensors, controllers, and LED's.