Discovery Studio II

Transdisciplinary Fusion Studio II
Virginia Tech — Calhoun Discovery Program (CDP)

Transdisciplinary Studio II focuses on collaborative problem solving. Students from the same 14 majors participating in the Calhoun Discovery Program (CDP) take this class in the second semester of their second year of undergraduate study at Virginia Tech. This course builds on the methodology introduced in Studio I and introduces prototyping a system as a way of thinking about and solving problems.

A key aspect of this studio is the emphasis on innovation. Students are introduced to various theories of innovation (e.g., creative destruction, radical innovation) to better understand the gaps they can address. In line with the mission of Studio I, students take a human-centric approach and leverage design thinking to develop a conceptual product addressing a real need.

System Prototyping

Before prototyping a product, students begin with prototyping the system that the product is part of — analyzing entities, their form, and relationships. We introduce prototyping as a way of thinking and solving problems rather than a means to an end, aligned with the concept of reflective practice introduced by Donald Schön.

Figure 1. Elements of the concept analysis of a problem space

Figure 2. CSIM sets inform the components of the solution concept

Studio Phases

This studio uses the same subset of NASA project life cycle as Studio I, with 2 phases and milestones: Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), Mission Concept Review (MCR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and Critical Design Review (CDR).

Peer-Review and Critique

The peer-review for this studio emphasizes research and development. Students are encouraged to look beyond the shortcomings of initial prototypes and discuss their potential. The process and implementation of the critique forms are similar to those of Studio I.

Publications

"Toward an Integrative Professional and Personal Competency-Based Learning Model for Inclusive Workforce Development" (IMSCI 2021), Amy J. Arnold, Jared Keyel, Alkan Soysal, Michael Kretser, Shahabedin Sagheb, Thanassis Rikakis.
"Project-based Learning Using the Collaborative Sociotechnical Innovation Model" (14th Annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy). Shahabedin Sagheb, Amy Arnold, Robert Smith. 14th Annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy.

In The News

A Boeing Exec's $20 Million Bet on Teaching College Students to Think — The Wall Street Journal