Scamper

SCAMPER Framework for Creative Thinking

When students have been introduced to the ideas behind brainstorming, Eberle's SCAMPER framework provides a structure for brainstorming in particular ways. The framework is outlined below, along with generic and movement examples. Note that options are not always mutually exclusive. For instance, in a generic example, using a towel as a fly swatter is both "putting it to another use" and also using it as a "substitute." Likewise, in a movement example such as playing football in the rain, using smaller steps is both "adapting" and "minifying."

Framework

Substitute

What else instead? Who else instead? Other ingredients? Other material? Other time? Other place?

Combine

How about a blend? Combine purposes? Combine materials?

Adapt

What else is like this? What other idea does this suggest? How can I adjust to these circumstances?

Modify / Minify / Magnify

Modify: Different order, form, shape?

Minify: What to make smaller? Slower? Lighter? What to do with less frequency?

Magnify: What to make higher? Longer? Thicker? What to do with greater frequency?

Put to other uses

New ways to use as is? Other uses I modified? Other places to use an item or movement?

Eliminate

What to remove? Omit? Understate?

Rearrange / Reverse

Rearrange: Other layout? Other sequence? Transpose cause and effect? Transpose positive and negative? How about opposites?

Reverse: Interchange components? Other pattern? Backwards? Upside down?

Examples

SCAMPER Idea	Generic Example	Movement Example
Substitute	Vegetarian hot dogs	Flop instead of roll over high jump bar
Combine	Musical greeting cards	Biathalon / Triathalon
Adapt	Snow tires	Playing football in the rain
Modify	Scented crayons	Aluminum baseball bats
Magnify	Super-sized french fries	Larger tennis rackets
Minify	Bite-sized snicker bars	Shortening spiking approach
Put to other use	Towel as fly swatter	Tires as floor obstacles
Eliminate	Cordless telephone	Balancing while blind-folded
Rearrange	Vertical stapler	Sequencing tumbling routine differently
Reverse	Reversable clothing	Shooting reverse lay-up

Application Exercises

Return to "creative movement" for activities that apply the SCAMPER ideas. Select either "objectify" or "old object/new use."