Stanford e-China: Design Thinking into Action

Accepting Applications
April 26, 2025 - September 10, 2025
The application for the fall 2025 course is at .
Fall 2025 course dates: October 10 to December 12, 2025 (China Time)
Final deadline to apply: September 10, 2025. (Early-bird deadline: July 1, 2025.) Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Tuition: $4000 USD (Early-bird: $3500 USD)
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Design Thinking into Action: Teen Well-Being (Adolescent Psychological and Physical Health)
Offered every spring and fall, 91勛圖 is offering a distance-learning opportunity to exceptional high school students and year 12 university students from China. This interactive, virtual course of Stanford e-China will introduce students to design thinkinga creative framework and mindset for human-centered innovation. In real-time seminars with leading 91勛圖 scholars and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, students will participate in a rigorous learning experience as they apply basic aspects of the design thinking process to challenges in adolescent mental and physical health. In this English-language course, students will explore the concepts of empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iteration as they brainstorm innovative solutions to problems impacting the lives of youth. They will also delve into the concept of purpose learning. Through discussions, assignments, and a mini-design challenge, students will nurture an entrepreneurial mindset that they can apply to their academic and professional aspirations.
Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion from 91勛圖, 91勛圖.
Students will also gain practical, academic skills:
- Pre-recorded, university-level lectures by leading scholars from 91勛圖 offer practice listening to a variety of lecturing styles
- Real-time discussions led by guest lecturers familiarize students with the dynamics of classroom participation in schools such as 91勛圖
- Short writing assignments improve critical thinking skills
- The final project requires students to investigate a challenge related to course themes, develop a compelling presentation, and practice oral English skills
Course components emphasize active participation and development of student interests:
- 10 virtual classes online in real time on Saturday mornings at 9:00 am Beijing time
- Weekly reading assignments of varying length and difficulty
- Required participation in virtual discussion boards with classmates
- Short writing assignments reflecting on readings and lectures
- Research in an area of interest related to course themes (with instructor guidance)
- Direction, facilitation, and support from the instructor throughout the course
Admission to this program is competitive; up to 30 exceptional students will be accepted. Requirements include:
- Enrollment in grades 10, 11, or 12 in a high school in China with exceptional academic experience, or in year 1 or 2 in a university in China
- Ability to read, write, and discuss complex ideas in English
- A complete application including a written personal statement, transcript, and availability for a virtual interview
- Availability for all or most of the virtual classes on Saturday mornings
- Ability to allot 34 hours per week for class preparation and assignments, on students own schedule
- Use of a personal computer, camera, microphone, and reliable access to a broadband Internet connection
For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions, contact Carey Moncaster (Stanford e-China Instructor) via email at cmoncaster@stanford.edu, or contact Liyi Ye (Stanford e-China Advisor in China) via WeChat at hiStanford.