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Classmates

Design Thinking
(free, online course)

Volunteer, learn, and grow—where education needs you most.

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What It Is​

Design Thinking  is a youth-focused, online learning program by n+1 Social Foundation that brings together education, exposure, and purposeful engagement. Designed for middle and high school students, the program helps young learners understand real educational challenges while building essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving, empathy, and collaboration. Design thinking moves students beyond textbooks into reflective, real-world learning. Through guided online sessions, students explore how education systems work, where gaps exist, and how thoughtful, human-centered solutions can be designed responsibly.

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Why It Matters​

Many young people want to “make a difference” but lack structured, credible pathways to do so. At the same time, underserved schools and communities need engagement that is thoughtful, ethical, and well-prepared, not one-off or performative.

Design Thinking bridges this gap by:

  • Grounding learning in real educational contexts

  • Emphasising process, reflection, and responsibility

  • Introducing students to problem-solving frameworks used in the real world

  • Ensuring exposure is supervised, respectful, and impact-oriented

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The program helps students build perspective—about education, inequality, and their own role as learners and global citizens.

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How the Program Works​

Design Thinking is delivered fully online through structured modules and mentor-led sessions over two weeks. The program includes:

  • Interactive sessions on education systems and social challenges

  • Introduction to design thinking as a problem-solving approach

  • Guided use of digital and AI-enabled tools (such as Figma Make) to ideate and prototype solutions

  • Case-based discussions linked to n+1’s on-ground education programs

  • Reflection exercises supported by facilitators and mentors

  • Team-based problem exploration and solution presentation

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The format allows students, especially those outside India, to engage meaningfully while learning how ideas can translate into action.

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Who It Is For​

  • Middle and high school students (India-based or international)

  • Curious, motivated learners interested in education, leadership, and social impact

  • Students abroad seeking meaningful ways to give back while strengthening their college applications

  • Families looking for safe, credible, and thoughtfully designed exposure programs​

 

​Duration

The Design Thinking Course is typically spread over 12 hours over 2 to 3 weeks with 2-hour sessions on weekends. While the course currently supports EST and PST time zones, other time zones may also be accommodated.

Student Reading Outdoors

What Students Learn​

Through Design Thinking, students develop:

  • Critical thinking and structured problem-solving

  • Teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills

  • Empathy and social awareness

  • Confidence in expressing ideas clearly and thoughtfully

  • Familiarity with digital tools and AI-assisted design workflows

  • A deeper understanding of India’s education landscape

These outcomes support personal growth and provide authentic experiences that can be reflected in college essays, portfolios, and interviews.

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Our Approach​

  • Education-first: Learning outcomes over optics

  • Guided exposure: Clear structure, mentoring, and reflection

  • Ethical engagement: Supporting schools without disruption

  • Credibility: Built on n+1’s long-standing work in literacy and numeracy

 

Part of the n+1 Ecosystem​

Design Thinking draws from and complements n+1’s other initiatives:

  • Read-a-story (literacy and language confidence)

  • Foundational Numeracy (math foundations through community facilitators)

  • India Rural Immersion program (IRI) (deep, short-term rural exposure)​

  • Credit-based online Internship Program

 

Together, these programs reflect n+1’s belief that small, well-designed efforts can multiply into lasting impact.

Studying

Upcoming Cohorts

​Free Design Thinking Courses are offered every month, with 2-hour sessions over weekends.

While EST and PST time zones are currently supported, other time zones may also be accommodated.

Note: Registrations are subject to the Terms and Conditions.

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