SCAMPER is a checklist that helps you to think of changes you can make to an existing product to create a new one. You can use these changes either as direct suggestions or as starting points for lateral thinking, and to allow students the use of their imagination, S.C.A.M.P.E.R can be used in a number of activities. The letters in the acronym stand for:
| S | Substitute | place of another to have another person or thing act or serve in the place of another |
| C | Combine | to bring together, to unite |
| A | Adapt | to adjust for the purpose of suiting a condition or |
| M | Modify | to alter, to change the form or quality |
| Magnify | to enlarge, to make greater in form or quality | |
| Minify | to make smaller, lighter, slower, less frequent | |
| P | Put to other uses | to be used for purposes other than originally intended |
| E | Eliminate | to remove, omit or get rid of quality, part or whole |
| R | Reverse | to place opposite or contrary, to turn it around |
| Rearrange | to change order or adjust, different plan, layout or scheme |
Ideas in this section can be modified or adjusted to suit the age level, learning area, group or class and the learning needs of the students.
Mind Tools - SCAMPER - A Tool for Generating Products and Services
© Mind Tools, 1995-2004
10 - SCAMPER-ing - Robert Alan Black's Creative Challenges
© 1997 Robert Alan Black, Ph. D