Project-based learning and design thinking: Fomenting agility and innovation in government

We operate a newly opened research and design organization at an undergraduate military service academy. Our mission is to focus on and rapidly improve cyberspace defenses for our government by solving tough operational problems and teaching our students to do the same, increasing the level of agility and innovation in government, attributes that are badly needed to keep pace with malicious state and non-state actors willing to attack through cyberspace. We have adopted project-based learning and design thinking as the primary approaches for teaching our students to be the future “rebel thinkers” in government, those driving innovations and human-centered design approaches in their future organizations. This paper focuses on our program's planned educational outcomes, the perceived benefits for our future digital-age military officers, and current and future assessment possibilities.