SCAMPER thinking*

Sometimes you need to approach a problem from many different angles before you find a solution. SCAMPER is a method for creative thinking that people use to solve problems and stretch their minds. Each letter in the word stands for a reminder for another way to generate ideas. Think of an idea, process or object and then:

S ubstitute some aspect of it

C ombine elements with something else

A dapt or Alter an aspect of it

M inimize, Magnify or Multiply an aspect of it

P ut some part of it to other uses

E liminate an aspect of it

R everse an aspect of it

For example...

Think of a spoon.

Substitute flexible wire for the handle. You could tie it to your foot and eat!

Combine a spoon with a fork to create a utensil good for poking food and eating soup (wait, hasn't that been done before?)

Adapt the spoon to eating tall glasses of icecream - make the handle much longer!

Magnify the spoon and you could have a huge shiny water slide!

Put the spoon to another use: you could use it as a musical instrument or as part of a wind chime.

Eliminate some parts of the bowl of the spoon and you can use it as a strainer.

Reverse the way you hold the spoon and you could have a round-handled tool for sculpting or marking clay.

Now use this method to answer number 2 on the creativity quiz again, the one about uses for a paper clip. Did you think of more answers this time? - ICAFFY