Rooted in the principles of design thinking, this innovative Upper School Design Program at Silicon Valley International School (INTL) challenges students to become problem solvers, creative thinkers, and resilient learners. While students develop valuable STEM and technical skills, the heart of the program lies in something deeper: the belief that struggle, failure, and perseverance are not setbacks, they’re essential steps on the path to success.
Since joining INTL in 2023, Design Teacher Tyler Gates has been guiding students through a curriculum that emphasizes process over product, a path he's been on since 2018. “Design isn’t just about building something or making something look good,” Tyler explained. “It’s about understanding people, identifying real problems, and creating meaningful solutions. And that’s never a straight line - it’s full of iterations, challenges, and growth.”
At INTL, design is taught as a structured process that mirrors the real-world work of professionals in the Bay Area and beyond. Students move through four core phases: research and empathy, ideation and concept development, prototyping and technical work, and finally, testing and refinement. Throughout each unit, students wear many hats—anthropologist, artist, engineer, and scientist.
Part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, the journey begins in 6th Grade, with projects that are smaller in scope but rich in purpose. Students might design a photo frame for their families or a toy for a younger child at school. By 9th Grade, they’re taking on complex societal issues like sustainability, poverty, and access to clean water. Students are encouraged to define the specific problem they want to solve, conduct research, and choose the most appropriate tools to bring their solution to life: coding, CAD modeling, woodworking, graphic design, and more.
Productive Struggle in Action
A defining feature of the Design Program is its emphasis on what INTL educators call productive struggle. Tyler sees failure not as something to be avoided, but as a necessary part of learning. “We fail all the time,” he said. “That’s the point. You test something, it doesn’t work, and then you figure out why. You make it better. And through that, you make yourself better too.”
This mindset is something students absorb through experience. When asked to address a sustainability issue, Logan L. (9th Grade) chose to focus on California’s energy consumption. But instead of opting for a simple awareness campaign or theoretical model, he pushed himself to the next level, using CAD software to design a dam capable of generating clean energy. His project demonstrated not just technical skill, but a deep understanding of the design thinking process and the confidence to take creative risks.
Then there’s Emma G. (7th Grade) whose creativity shined through her favorite material: cardboard. From a technically intricate monkey-themed photo frame to a fully-realized lizard mask for Halloween, Emma’s projects display both imagination and craftsmanship. Her final challenge, designing a flat-pack cardboard chair, required both structural integrity and visual appeal, proving that even in Middle School, students are capable of professional-level thinking when given the opportunity and support to struggle positively.
Design for the Real World
What makes INTL’s program stand out is not just the skills students gain, but the mindset they develop. Tyler noted that many parents who attend INTL Back-to-School Night recognize the design process from their own work in tech, business, and product development. “This is what people in the real world do,” he said. “Human-centered design is becoming the norm in business. Students who understand this process already have a major advantage.”
In fact, the program’s final unit in 9th Grade pushes students into the real world, asking them to identify a client in their own life, a parent, sibling, teacher, or neighbor, and solve a problem for them. From creating custom bicycle mirrors to organizing family recipes through graphic design, these projects give students a sense of agency and show them that design isn’t just for the classroom, it’s for life.
Building More Than Skills
The Design Program at INTL doesn’t just teach students how to 3D print, build with wood, or code a game. It teaches them how to think, how to fail, and how to adapt. It helps students grow into people who see a challenge and think, “I can figure this out.” And that kind of confidence, earned through hard work and setbacks, is one of the most important outcomes any school can offer.
As Tyler put it, “No one ever fails in design. We just keep learning and improving. That’s what makes this program so powerful. Our students aren’t just becoming better designers; they’re becoming better thinkers, better collaborators, and more resilient people.”
In a world that demands creativity, adaptability, and empathy, INTL’s Design Program offers students exactly the foundation they need, not just to succeed in school, but to thrive in whatever future they choose to build.
