BS ITE Students Trained as Design Thinking Facilitators for Marikina Public High Schools

On the morning of January 31, 2026, around 40 BS Information Technology Entrepreneurship (ITE) students gathered at the Science Education Complex (SEC) Building A of Ateneo de Manila University for a focused and hands-on Design Thinking – Train the Trainers Workshop.

Held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN, the session was facilitated by Steve Chaves of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) and was powered by the Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI). The initiative aimed to prepare students to facilitate a Design Thinking process for public high school students in Marikina City.

Design Thinking: Train the Trainers Workshop

From Participants to Facilitators

More than a typical workshop, the session was designed to transform participants into future facilitators of innovation. The BS ITE students were trained not only to understand Design Thinking but to confidently guide younger learners through the process.

A meaningful highlight of the session was the sharing of Dharline Sy, a BS ITE student from the previous batch who had already experienced facilitating Design Thinking sessions for public high school students. She spoke candidly about the challenges and rewards of guiding younger learners—emphasizing the importance of patience, clarity in communication, and genuine empathy.

This collaboration between AIPO and OSCI highlights Ateneo’s commitment to forming students who combine technical competence, entrepreneurial thinking, and social responsibility—bringing innovation tools beyond the university and into partner communities.

Ms Dharline Sy shared her experience from last year's batch of Design Thinking sessions.

What the Workshop Covered

Throughout the three-hour training, students explored the core stages of the Design Thinking framework:

• Empathy – Deeply understanding the needs and lived realities of users

• Problem Definition – Crafting clear and meaningful problem statements

• Ideation – Generating diverse and creative solutions

• Prototyping – Turning ideas into tangible concepts

• Testing & Iteration – Refining solutions based on feedback

Beyond theory, the workshop emphasized practical facilitation skills such as:

• Guiding group discussions effectively

• Asking powerful, open-ended questions

• Managing time and energy in sessions

• Encouraging inclusive and participatory environments

Through simulations and interactive exercises, students experienced both roles: learner and facilitator—preparing them for their upcoming engagement with public high school students.

Photo of Mr Steve Chaves facilitating the workshop

Bridging Innovation and Social Impact

With OSCI’s lead, the workshop situates Design Thinking within Ateneo’s larger mission of social transformation. The training equips students to help public high school learners:

• Identify real-world challenges in their communities

• Develop creative yet practical solutions

• Cultivate confidence in collaborative problem-solving

By empowering university students to mentor high school learners, the initiative strengthens the innovation ecosystem across educational levels.

The trainees got to experience hands-on learning to move beyond theory

Forming Leaders for Service

As these 30 BS ITE students step into their roles as facilitators, they carry with them not only a methodology but also a mindset rooted in empathy, leadership, and service.

Through the partnership of AIPO and OSCI, Ateneo continues to nurture student-leaders who innovate not only for enterprise but for a wider community impact.

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To learn more about AIPO’s Design Thinking Workshops. Check out: https://aipo.ateneo.edu/designthinking.