SODA

SODA is an approach to planning for challenges that can guide students through problem solving. It is an acronym that stands for: 

• S: Situation - clearly define the problem 

• O: Options - generate a wide range of possible solutions, judgement is not allowed when brainstorming 

• D: Decisions - look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option and decide which is best 

• A: Assess - determine if the outcome is satisfactory, and if not go back to O. 

Another variation of this is SODAS, where the DAS stands for Disadvantages, Advantages, and Solutions. The downside to this model is that it does not include reflecting on the outcome of the solution. The upside is that there are many video examples and templates online if you search for “soda problem solving.”