Co-Creation

Instructions

The purpose of a Co-Creation Session is to bring students into the design process, to get feedback on ideas you already have, generate new ones and figure out how to make them come to life. You’re not just hearing their voices, you’re empowering them to make alongside you. You can co-create menus, investigate how social groups at a particular school work, name your solution, or what its logo should look like, or come up with new ways to get food to kids outside of the cafeteria. Not only are students far more likely to adopt a practice or service that they helped create, but you’ll also gain valuable insight into all facets of your solution.

Time considerations: 60 to 90 minutes

Materials Needed: Pens, Post-its, paper, building supplies (e.g., toothpicks, glue, legos, blocks) or other materials that students can use to bring their ideas to life

Participants: Students and facilitators - could be FNS team or staff the students know and trust

Step One

Identify who you want in your Co-Creation Session and the incentive you’ll provide (e.g., special meal, gift card, etc.)

For example

• Perhaps you want a range of students that represents the diversity of a school

• Maybe you know you really need feedback, buy in, or inspiration from a particular type of student

• Or, you could bring in an already-formed group – like a class, a club, or a cohort of friends, to leverage existing social structures. Student governments can be excellent thought partners 

Step Two

Once you know who you want, arrange a space, get the necessary supplies (often pens, Post-its, paper, maybe art supplies), and invite them to join. You may need to enlist the help of teachers, kitchen staff, coaches and others to tap students to participate.

Step Three

Make the most of a Co-Creation Session by setting a structure, having a framing question, and empowering and truly believing in students to come up with great new ideas.

For example

• Frame the problem or question you are going to work on together. Perhaps it is “How might we create school meal experiences that celebrate the expansiveness of Black culture?” or “How might we make our cafeteria feel more like Chipotle?” or “How might we make waiting in line for food more fun?”

Step Four

Ask the students to brainstorm ideas. Have them pick one they are excited about, then build out the details of how it could come to life using the materials you have selected for the exercise. Take it a step further and have them help you come up with ideas for how students could run or be an integral part of it. Your goal is to help them dream up an idea that they are excited enough about that they might want to help you prototype it.

Step Five

Capture the feedback and conversation along the way. Make sure to discuss how the ideas the students share will be used and when they should expect to see a change or hear an update from you.

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