101 Activities For Teaching Creativity And Problem Solving

Brain Splitter Handout

Assume you manufacture umbrellas and want to develop improved designs and features. First, the groups generate two lists:

Left-Brain Ideas

Use a more durable fabric.

Strengthen metal supports.

Design the handle like a pistol grip.

Improve the ability of fabric to shed water.

Use less expensive materials.

Right-Brain Ideas

Create an umbrella that automatically opens when wet and closes when dry.

Add air jets that blow down from the top edges of the umbrella to keep rain off
the lower body.

Create an umbrella that repels rain before it hits the fabric.

Make an umbrella that is small enough to carry in a wallet.

The groups combine ideas from each list to produce the following ideas:

Combination Ideas

1 & 6: Develop a faster-drying fabric.

1 & 8: Make an umbrella that vibrates off water.

1 & 9: Make a wallet that doubles as an umbrella.

2 & 7: Put air jets in the ends of the metal spikes to rotate the umbrella automatically,
throwing off water.

2 & 8: Eliminate the need for metal supports.

2 & 9: Develop a carrying device designed like a hip or shoulder holster.

3 & 6: Use compressed-air capsules to open the umbrella.

3 & 9: Have the umbrella double as a pistol.

4 & 5: Develop an inexpensive fabric that can be replaced easily when damaged.

4 & 7: Build in air pockets so the umbrella can double as a flotation device.

4 & 8: Eliminate fabric and use only air jets to repel water.

5 & 9: Design a plastic, foldable parka with an umbrella hat.

Brainstorming with Unrelated Stimuli 305

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