Last weekend, the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design welcomed a group of Cub Scouts and their families for an engaging workshop centered around one important skill: problem solving.

The session encouraged students to think beyond simply finding answers and instead focus on asking thoughtful questions — a key mindset that drives innovation in engineering, healthcare, and design. While workshop organizers came prepared to guide the fourth graders through creative problem-solving activities, the students quickly demonstrated that curiosity is often the best teacher.

Questions like, “Why are there two clocks in this room?” and “If you said ‘last but not least,’ who is least?” sparked laughter, conversation, and deeper reflection throughout the event. The workshop became a reminder that some of the most meaningful innovation begins with simple observations and the willingness to ask “why.”

The event also expanded beyond the students themselves. Parents participated in their own mini design challenge, transforming the workshop into a collaborative experience for the entire family. Through hands-on activities and discussion, attendees explored how creativity, curiosity, and teamwork can shape the way we approach everyday problems.

A special thank you to Dr. Youseph Yazdi for sharing the valuable reminder that the best solutions are often the simplest, and to Aditya Polsani for helping bring the workshop together.

Additional thanks to Brendan Frederick, Purva Gupta, and Sabrina Zhou for their leadership and support in making the workshop a success.

From creative questions to collaborative challenges, the workshop highlighted the power of curiosity at every age — and served as a fun reminder that innovation truly can be a family activity.