How do people come up with new ideas? Often, it's by using the same kind of brainstorming techniques that you use in your writing. In this project, you'll be testing out your new understanding of small groups by forming a brainstorming group to accomplish a task.

Work with a small task group to brainstorm ideas.
Analyze small group behavior to increase effectiveness.
Instructions:
Part 1
Ask two or more people to work with you to generate ideas for one of the problems listed below. They can be classmates, friends, or family members. (Participants should be your age or older.)

How could your community improve its road/transportation system?
Choose a local charity or school activity that needs funding. How could the group generate funds?
What are some ways to make learning in your school or learning group more exciting for students?
Remember a few rules about group brainstorming:

Members should not criticize each other's ideas.
Encourage one another to offer as many ideas or solutions as possible. Build or expand on one another's ideas when possible.
Record the group's ideas.
If you have the tools available, write the ideas on a board or a large piece of paper to help the other participants. It is helpful to ask a fourth person, whose only task is to write down all ideas, to be the "recorder." Spend five minutes just on the brainstorming session before looking at solutions.

Part 2
Respond to the following questions about your brainstorming session by entering your answers in the space provided below.

Which subject from above did you select?
What solution do you think is the most workable/effective?
Identify what types of group(s) might be needed to accomplish the goal.
What skills would be needed in the group membership?
How do you think the group(s) should proceed?