Signal Scavenger Hunt

1. Briefly introduce the idea of a “signal of change”. A “signal of change” is a small, specific example of something new or unusual that might be a sign of a broader shift. Signals are often surprising, marginal, or contradictory.
2. Assign participants a time window (e.g., 10–15 minutes) to go on a “scavenger hunt” to collect one or more signals. These can be drawn from:
   
• Things they’ve read, seen, or heard recently
• A quick online search (e.g,. niche blogs, forums, news stories)
• Personal or local observations from daily life
  
  
3. Ask them to note each signal with:
   
• A short description (What is it?)
• A source (Where did you find it?)
• A hunch (Why might it matter?)

1. Bring the group back together and ask participants to briefly share their signals. You can collect them on a wall, flipchart, or digital board for the group to explore together.

Facilitation tips

• Encourage participants to avoid “big trends” and look instead for the unusual or emerging.
• If working with a specific domain (e.g., education, urban life), you can offer a focus, but be mindful of over-directing - it’s not needed.
• Highlight the diversity of sources and interpretations. What seems niche now might become mainstream later.