At Harrow International School Hong Kong, learning stepped beyond the traditional classroom last week.
As part of the school’s Week Without Walls, students from Years 3, 4 and 5 joined 8billionideas for a bespoke four-day programme designed to spark creativity, entrepreneurship and problem-solving.
The programme began with students stepping into the role of young product designers.
Working in mixed year groups, students brainstormed ideas for original toys designed not just for fun, but for impact.
Students explored:
Balancing activities across three year groups was part of the challenge. Year 5 students were given additional extension activities to stretch their thinking, while younger students were supported through the early stages of ideation.
By the end of the session, the classroom had transformed into a mini innovation studio, with students proudly playtesting their creations during a lively showcase.
The second day introduced a new theme: Green My City.
Students explored entrepreneurship through the lens of sustainability and empathy, reflecting on the skills they already possess and how these can be used to improve the world around them.
The day included the $100 Envelope Challenge, where students explored how small ideas can become real opportunities with tangible outcomes.
From there, teams began designing their own sustainable cities. Students took on roles such as architects, builders and engineers while identifying worldly issues that cities face today.
Together, they developed solutions ranging from eco-friendly infrastructure to community spaces designed to improve wellbeing.
With ideas in place, teams began prototyping their visions – bringing their future cities to life.
By day three, students had demonstrated strong technical thinking, particularly around engineering and sustainability.
However, many were unfamiliar with the world of branding and product design.
So the focus shifted.
Students explored how ideas become products people recognise and trust, learning about:
To apply these ideas, students designed and developed their own board games, testing how branding, gameplay and creativity all work together.
The programme will conclude with Idea Tank, a bespoke innovation challenge inspired by the idea of “lightbulb moments”.
Students brought together everything they’ve learned across the week, from creativity, entrepreneurship, design and collaboration to develop and present their final ideas.
By the end of the week, what stood out most was not just the ideas themselves, but the confidence behind them. Seeing students test their creations, refine their thinking, and present solutions to genuine problems was a reminder of how powerful these moments of curiosity and creativity can be. Programmes like this create space for young people to realise that their ideas have value and that they can play a role in shaping the world around them. It was a rewarding week and an exciting glimpse of the imagination, empathy and innovation that the next generation is already bringing forward.