Scamper

Scamper

The aim is to develop the skills to create solutions for the challenge.

1. The teacher and the students define a problem with a product, process or an idea that they want to improve on - something they are having problems with or something that is strategically a good starting point for the challenge.
2. The students must ask as many questions and give as many answers as possible about the idea, service or product identified using SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate and Reverse) as a guide.
3. Students form groups and ask each other the SCAMPER questions about the challenge.
4. The groups note all the answers and write them down on post-its and place them on the wall.
5. All groups review the Post-its and assess their viability in solving the problem.

Prompts for SCAMPER questions:
Are there Substitute solutions? Can we Combine any existing solutions? Can we Adapt any existing solutions? What areas can we Modify? What other solutions can we Put to another use? What processes can we Eliminate? What processes can we Reverse?

The activity could be done using ppt or online tools such as Padlet, Miro, Mural, virtual whiteboard and breakout rooms in Teams/Zoom.

Additional help on using Scamper can be found at: http://www.ideasforideas.com/

Inspired by: R.F. Eberle 1972). Developing Imagination Through Scamper. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 6(3), 199–203. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2162-6057.1972.tb00929.x

Inspired by Mind Tool (https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm)