Ready-to-use classroom activity

SCAMPER

Students use seven creative thinking prompts to generate new ideas: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, Reverse.

Grade range

4th Grade – 12th Grade

Works across

ScienceMathematicsEnglishHistoryForeign Language

Activity style

IndividualCreativeAnalytical

SCAMPER

Students use seven creative thinking prompts to generate new ideas: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, Reverse.

Example lesson: Creative Problem Solving for Design Challenge (Science/STEM - 6th Grade)

Materials

  • SCAMPER reference cards
  • Design challenge description
  • Brainstorming paper
  • Sample product to improve

Preparation

Create SCAMPER reference cards with each letter's prompt and guiding questions. Select a design challenge or product to improve. Prepare examples of each SCAMPER technique.

Run the activity

  1. Introduce SCAMPER as a creative thinking toolkit. Each letter is a different way to generate ideas.
  2. The challenge: Improve a basic backpack for students.
  3. Go through each SCAMPER prompt:

  4. S - Substitute

    What could you replace? 'Substitute solar panels for fabric on one pocket'

  5. C - Combine

    What could you merge? 'Combine backpack with water bottle holder'

  6. A - Adapt

    What could you copy from elsewhere? 'Adapt rolling suitcase wheels'

  7. M - Modify

    What could you change in size, shape, color? 'Modify to be expandable'

  8. P - Put to other uses

    What else could it do? 'Put to use as emergency shelter'

  9. E - Eliminate

    What could you remove? 'Eliminate zippers, use magnets instead'

  10. R - Reverse/Rearrange

    What if you flipped it? 'Reverse to wear on front'

  11. Individual brainstorm (10 min): Use each prompt to generate at least one idea.
  12. No judgment during brainstorm - all ideas valid.
  13. Partner share: Combine lists, star the best ideas.
  14. Share most creative ideas with class.
  15. Discuss: Which SCAMPER letter helped you most?

Differentiation

Provide visual examples for each SCAMPER letter. Work through one letter together before independent work. For advanced students, require combining multiple SCAMPER techniques in single ideas.

Assessment

Evaluate for creative thinking across multiple SCAMPER categories. Check that ideas are relevant to the challenge. Note which prompts generate most innovative thinking.