Changes

Co-founder Dr. Liz Gerber has researched new ways of learning about human centered design called Extracurricular Design-Based Learning. This method engages students, community members and partners to think about our biggest challenges that we face in education, health, economy and environment. The best words to summarize this organization's vision is motivation informed by belief in ability. Design for America holds the idea that we must believe in our ability to develop innovative solutions that can address the world's challenges by implementing extracurricular design-based learning.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.44;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:16pt;text-align: justify;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-fa2abf0e-e132-eed6-cb09-182531d5f101"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The distinct value that Design for America offers is the formation of a campus organization devoted to helping students develop their ideas through working in teams and also using proven methods of designed-based learning. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DFA equips students to tackle social challenges through design innovation.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DFA provides studio support through faculty, advisors, professional design mentors, community partners, and administrators within the DFA organization. The significance of Design for America on your campus is the ability to create a pipeline of leaders and thinkers that can make an impact within their community. DFA is also simultaneously broadening the idea of an "impact" from the traditional sense of starting a new venture, to all types of social endeavours. For example, starting a volunteer organization or teaching classes about nutrition in the local community or extraordinary challenges in economy, education, and environment. DFA projects fuse collaboration, leadership, and creativity. Lastly, DFA is committed to the continuing development of interdisciplinary student teams. Students from all majors and backgrounds play crucial parts on campus studios and bridge the gap between business, science, engineering, and liberal arts.</span></span></p><div><br/></div>

= Impact Achieved For Students and Campus =

<span id="docs-internal-guid-fa2abf0e-e133-c54b-625d-bddc9981f920"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since the creation of Design for America, over 2,000 students have participated in campus studios, 37 campuses have gotten involved, and two start ups (SwipeSense and Jerry the Bear) have come to market. Jerry the Bear is a stuffed animal that helps children with Type 1 Diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels and build healthy behaviors through play. SwipeSense “uses sensors in hospital personnel badges and dispensers to capture hygiene activity” to help prevent hospital acquired infections. Currently, SwipeSense has raised $16.9 million in funding and employs over 35 people (Visit the Blog page on DFA’s website for more info).</span></span>

<span id="docs-internal-guid-fa2abf0e-e134-9767-6bff-a7e9957b4ff1"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babson|Olin|Wellesley (BOW)</span></span>