Join the 2026 Design Lab

A new online course on human-centered design for nutrition leaders

Overview

The Design Lab will host 50 school nutrition directors and senior school nutrition staff interested in discovering new ways to improve the experience of high school students with school meals using human-centered design. At the end of the Design Lab, you will be ready to launch a new solution to help attract more high school students to your school meal program.


Structure

The free, 6-module online course will step participants through the human- centered design process with live virtual sessions and self-paced activities. Much of the work happens in your own district, as you engage your students and colleagues using tools and resources from the Design Lab. Periodic Zoom calls will give you a chance to connect with and receive feedback from your peers and No Kid Hungry experts.

Modules

  1. Foundations & Core Principles
  2. Understand the fundamentals of human-centered design
  3. Explore mindsets and tools for a fresh perspective on your program
  4. Discover what high school students want from school meals
  5. Ideate solutions
  6. Refine your solution
  7. Develop a plan

Pilot in 2027: Deliver solution, reflect, and iterate

Learning Outcomes

If you participate regularly in the Design Lab you’ll be able to:

  • Apply the concept of human-centered designs to high school meal
  • Collect data to understand student and caregiver preferences and feedback
  • Evaluate data and ideate possible solutions with staff and peers
  • Create a pilot implementation plan

The Design Lab begins on September 25th. Apply by August 28th.

  • Go to the No Kid Hungry Grants Portal
  • Enter the code Design Lab 27
  • Share why you are interested in participating!
  • No prior experience in human-centered design required

Join the 2026 Design Lab