Target Group(s)
University lecturers in STEM, business, and social sciences, Curriculum developers and academic coordinators, Institutions promoting student-centered and project-based learning, Trainers and facilitators in innovative pedagogy
Product’s Aim(s)
To showcase and inspire how Design Thinking can be applied to real university courses, helping educators redesign learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.
Description
This resource compiles the outcomes of the “DT Meets STEM” Training Program, where professors from multiple European universities reimagined their course syllabi using Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning principles. Through workshops facilitated by Esade and partners, each educator applied the DT process—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test—to redesign how they teach core subjects such as entrepreneurship, finance, sustainability, communication, and applied science.
The result is a powerful collection of transformed syllabi that integrate real-world challenges, iterative learning cycles, student teamwork, and soft skills development, all aligned with 21st-century educational goals.
Use Cases
- Inspiration for syllabus redesign based on modern, student-centered pedagogies
- Faculty development programs aimed at boosting teaching innovation
- Cross-institutional workshops or training on implementing Design Thinking in higher education
- Benchmarking and knowledge exchange within departments or international networks
Product Elements
- Detailed examples from 10+ professors across disciplines and institutions
- Transformed course syllabi with new modules, learning outcomes, and teaching methods
- Real case studies from fields such as:
- Business Entrepreneurship
- Investments
- Sustainability Reporting
- Aerospace Innovation
- Information Systems
- Applied Biochemistry
- Corporate Communication
- Network Technologies
- Structured insights on how DT influenced:
- Course structure and delivery
- Student engagement and evaluation
- Integration of UN SDGs and interdisciplinary learning
- Best practices and tips for educators on implementing DT principles in any academic context
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Explore this in-depth monograph to discover how universities can guide students toward meaningful careers through personalized development paths grounded in self-reflection, identity formation, and future-focused action.
DT Meets STEM Training Program
Reimagine your teaching with the power of Design Thinking! This hands-on training equips STEM educators to redesign courses, engage students through real-world challenges, and foster essential 21st-century skills.
Reference Model for “DT meets STEM” – Syllabus Transformation
Transform your teaching with confidence. This step-by-step guide helps you redesign any syllabus using Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning—empowering students through real-world challenges and active, skill-driven learning.