Design
Thinking

Design thinking—a cornerstone of Nueva’s educational philosophy—is a dynamic approach to creative problem-solving. It integrates empathy and ethnography from the humanities; imagination and innovation from the arts and engineering; and scientific methods such as hypothesizing, prototyping, testing, and reflection. Through this process, students cultivate the mindset to recognize opportunities for positive change and gain the skills and confidence to act on them.

At the heart of design thinking is empathy—encouraging students to truly understand others' perspectives and needs in order to design purposeful, human-centered solutions. This approach equips them with both the mindset and practical tools to face unfamiliar challenges, tap into their creativity, and build confidence in their ability to make a difference—all rooted in compassion.

Empathy is also a key tenet of Nueva’s social-emotional learning foundation, creating a natural alignment between the two disciplines. Together, they foster students’ ability to connect with others and see beyond their own experiences.

In collaboration with IDEO and Stanford’s d.School, Nueva pioneered the first PreK–12 design thinking program and Innovation Lab (I-Lab). Today, students use design thinking daily—whether in our dedicated I-Labs or seamlessly integrated throughout their academic curriculum.

Angi Chau

Director of the Innovation Lab

“We live in a complex world full of challenges. Through design thinking, we hope to prepare children not only to solve problems, but to believe in themselves—to know they can make a positive impact and become agents of change.”

At Nueva, students engage with design thinking every day, both in their classrooms and in the dedicated Innovation Labs (I-Labs). Through hands-on, project-based learning, they explore design thinking and engineering by tackling real-world challenges and pursuing independent inquiry. These experiences are woven across subjects and grade levels, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and creative problem-solving.

Rather than following a fixed formula, students learn to ask, “What do we need next?”—developing a flexible, iterative approach tailored to each project. Over time, they become more aware of the strategies that work for them, gaining confidence in their ability to take on complex, open-ended problems.

This deep engagement with design thinking begins as early as preK and evolves throughout each division. Student projects span local and global issues, drawing on every area of the curriculum, from science and math to art, humanities, music, and engineering.

As part of Nueva’s commitment to supporting the broader gifted and educational communities, we share our design thinking expertise through on-site I-Lab tours, our Innovative Learning Conference, the Design Thinking Institute, and presentations at national conferences.

Design Thinking and Engineering Curricula

Lower School

In the Lower School, students actively explore design, engineering, and computer science through hands-on projects embedded in their everyday classroom experiences. These opportunities are further enriched through collaboration with I-Lab faculty.

Design thinking is woven throughout the Lower School curricula in ways that align with each developmental stage. From as early as preK, students engage in various phases of the design process, often focusing deeply on specific elements like brainstorming or skill-building. By fourth grade, students synthesize what they’ve learned in a comprehensive, semester-long design thinking and engineering project: crafting a custom LED lamp for someone in their lives who could use a little more light.

Middle School

Over the four years of Middle School, students spend one semester each year in design engineering and one in computer science, engaging in hands-on projects that build both technical skills and creative problem-solving. In design engineering, they use the design thinking process to tackle real-world challenges, developing ideas and transforming them into practical solutions. Students gain experience with tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, hand tools, and physical computing platforms, while deepening their understanding of engineering concepts and refining their prototyping and design abilities.

In computer science, students develop computational thinking skills—such as decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm design—while learning to code in text-based languages. They build fluency with programming tools, syntax, and debugging, and are encouraged to approach challenges with persistence and curiosity. As students advance, they explore more complex tools and concepts, integrating knowledge across disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach culminates in the eighth-grade Quest Project, a six-month independent exploration guided by the design process.

Beyond the core curriculum, students can choose from a variety of electives in design, engineering, and CS—such as Marble Run Design, Wood Carving, and Robotics—or participate in co-curricular opportunities like FIRST competitions and open lab hours with I-Lab faculty support.

Upper School

In the Upper School, students quickly gain fluency in the principles, practices, and mindset of design thinking. Through myriad course offerings in design thinking, engineering, and computer science, students engage in hands-on, human-centered challenges that build strong skills in computational thinking and creative problem-solving.

All ninth graders take Design Create Innovate, a yearlong course that integrates design thinking, systems thinking, data science, computer science, and engineering. By breaking down disciplinary silos, the course helps build confidence in students as they tackle challenges big and small—from paper airplane launches to complex issues like social justice and equity.

In all four years, the extensive selection of electives allows students to explore their interests in depth. Courses such as Design Engineering for Social Good, Materials Engineering, and Product Design immerse students in real-world applications of their learning.

Throughout these experiences, students learn to identify needs, develop prototypes, gather feedback, and refine solutions. Over time, design thinking becomes second nature—not just a process, but a fundamental approach to how they engage with the world. Equipped with this mindset, Nueva students emerge as resilient, capable innovators, ready to turn ideas into impact.