Mashup Ideation

At a Glance

• Time: 4-5 minutes
• Prep: Minimal (create two lists of random items)
• Group: Pairs
• Setting: Any classroom
• Subjects: Universal (especially strong for creative thinking and innovation)
• Energy: Medium-High

Purpose

Spark creative thinking by forcing unexpected connections between unrelated concepts, demonstrating that innovation often comes from combining existing ideas in novel ways. Use this to energize creativity, warm up before brainstorming, or introduce lessons on innovation and design thinking.

How It Works

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Create random lists (1 minute) - Create two lists of random items: List A (things in a junk drawer: paperclips, batteries, rubber bands, old keys) and List B (items at a hardware store: hammer, paint, rope, screws). Display both lists

2. Generate mashups (3 minutes) - Each pair picks one item from List A and one from List B. They must brainstorm a new product, service, or invention that combines both items. Push for specific, creative connections—not just using both items separately

3. Share inventions (1 minute) - Pairs share their mashup inventions. Celebrate creativity and unexpected connections

What to Say

Opening: "Innovation isn't about inventing from nothing—it's about combining existing things in new ways. List A: rubber band, paperclip, old key, battery. List B: hammer, rope, paint, lightbulb. Pick one from each list and invent something that combines both. For example: rubber band + hammer = 'RubberHammer,' a hammer with rubber band recoil for quick repetitive nailing. Your turn—be creative! Go!"

During: "Don't just use both items separately—COMBINE their functions... What could they do together that neither does alone?... Make it weird! Make it playful!... Even silly ideas count..."

Closing: "Let's hear your mashups! [Pairs share.] I love it—'LightKey' that glows to find your keyhole at night! 'PaintRope' that leaves a painted line wherever you stretch it! Notice how forced connections sparked ideas you'd never have thought of normally? That's how many real innovations happen—Velcro came from burrs sticking to fabric, Post-its from failed glue..."

Why It Works

Forced association breaks habitual thinking patterns by requiring connections between unrelated domains. This activates divergent thinking and remote association—the ability to link distant concepts, which is strongly correlated with creative problem-solving. The playful, low-stakes format removes fear of "wrong" answers, encouraging cognitive risk-taking. The constraint paradoxically enhances creativity by providing a specific challenge rather than a blank slate. Students experience that innovation is accessible—it's about new combinations, not mystical genius.

Research Connection: Remote association and forced combination techniques reliably enhance creative ideation by activating different knowledge networks simultaneously (Mednick, 1962; Bink & Marsh, 2000).

Teacher Tip

The weirder the combinations, the better. Intentionally choose list items that don't obviously go together—"kitchen appliances" and "sports equipment," "office supplies" and "garden tools." The cognitive stretch between domains is where creativity happens. If combinations are too obvious, you lose the creative spark.

Variations

For Different Subjects

• Science: "Combine two biological systems: photosynthesis + echolocation = ?"
• History: "Mashup two historical periods: Ancient Rome + Industrial Revolution = ?"
• Literature: "Combine two genres: mystery + romance, sci-fi + western"
• Math: "Combine two mathematical concepts to solve a problem"

For Different Settings

• Large Class (30+): Each pair gets different random combinations; share the best 5-6 mashups with whole class
• Small Group (5-15): All pairs work with same two items, compare different solutions

For Different Ages

• Elementary (K-5): Use concrete, familiar categories: "Animals" and "Vehicles" → "What if an elephant was a car?"
• Middle/High School (6-12): Standard format with more abstract categories
• College/Adult: Add complexity: "Your mashup must solve a specific real-world problem" or "Create a business plan for your mashup"

Online Adaptation

Tools Needed: Random word generator website or prepared lists in chat

Setup: Share two lists on screen via slides or chat

Instructions:

1. Display lists in main room
2. Breakout rooms for pair brainstorming (2-3 minutes)
3. Return to main room; pairs type mashup ideas in chat
4. Teacher reads highlights; class votes on most creative using reactions
5. Alternative: Use Miro with random word generator plugins

Pro Tip: Use wheelofnames.com to randomly generate items from custom lists—spin twice to get random mashup combinations

Troubleshooting

Challenge: Students just describe using both items, not combining them Solution: "That's not a mashup—you're just using a hammer and then using rope. How do they COMBINE into one thing? What new function emerges from the combination?"

Challenge: Students say "this is impossible" or give up Solution: "Impossible is where creativity lives! Start with a silly idea—what's the most ridiculous way to combine these? Sometimes silly leads to brilliant. Remember: someone combined a camera and a phone and people said that was crazy!"

Extension Ideas

• Deepen: After generating mashups, evaluate: "Which combinations are actually feasible? Which solve real problems? Which are pure fun?"
• Connect: Research real-world mashup inventions: spork, Swiss Army knife, smartphone (phone + camera + computer + GPS), turducken
• Follow-up: "Sketch your mashup invention and write a one-sentence sales pitch: 'Introducing the ____, which combines ____ and ____ to ____'"

---

Related Activities: Divergent Thinking Prompts, SCAMPER, How Might We