DM Thesis Topic Worksheet

Thesis Topic Worksheet

Descriptive Statement
In a few sentences, state your research question and the purpose of your research (consistent with the research guidelines provided in the Capstone Course Description). Justify why your question is important. Why are you writing this paper?

Research Question
How can we educate secondary and post-secodary students in America to be better poised for the global challenges of the future and to lead through positive change? How can design play a greater role in inspiring and creating this change?

Challenges include: global warming and environmental degradation, resource scarcity, poverty, health, sustainable development. These challenges are local, national, and international.

Justify why your question is important
Innovation is now the new baseline for global competition and is considered by many countries as the hallmark of national success. Long considered the global economic leader, the United State's capacity for innovation is eroding, and our global preeminence is at threat. The UN Millenium goals provide a solid guideline for much needed areas of global leadership, and American citizens must step up to every challenge. If we do not collectively commit to fostering well-educated and well-rounded talent, the United States will face troubling times in future generations (increased economic competition, decreasing resources, growing national security concerns, etc.).

Why are you writing this paper
Changing actions requires changed mindsets, and the epicenter of intellectual development is in the classroom. Through design leadership, we want to encourage, inspire, and empower the youth of America to become proactive about innovation and change. We believe creativity and empowerment is at the heart of change.

What are you bringing to the table that is new and innovative
The use of design/creative resources to create a strategic and sustainable advantage. As well as a system that takes into account holistic values and creative process.

Analysis of Topic and Method
Decompose your topic into manageable research elements. These should form the key word searches you will use in your literature review. It will also be the base for your outline and ultimately your table of contents. How will you study this topic? test hypothesis? address research question?

Hypothesis
Design thinking and creative problem-solving can help reinvent the way we educate our children, increase access to quality education, and rejuvenate America's innovation engine.

Keywords
design and creative problem-solving skills in education
geographic and financial barriers to education
lack of student empowerment and accountability
access to good education
sustainability education
lack of entrepreneurship and capacity to innovate in education

How will you study this topic
Depending on the course of action with we take. We could focus on the applications of pedagogic minutiae and its relations to triple bottom line business functions.

Discussions/Conclusions
Anticipated results? Possible outcomes? Policy recommendations
Create a dynamic charter school.
Develop a 'creative sustainable management awareness program'.
Design a sustainability report card.
Create a nation-wide ‘Odyssey of the Mind’-type competition and scholarship program
Consultancy business for sustainable design and innovation in high schools and universities

References
Sources of information (path, search terms, databases, specific journals, etc.)

Selection criteria for references (study population, year of publication, legislation, etc.)

Other sources (interviews, surveys, media, professional organizations)