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DEEDS (Discover, Examine, Engineer, Do, Share) is a hands-on learning framework that helps scholars become real-world problem solvers and changemakers.
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Big Ideas
What is the big, timeless idea I want students to keep thinking about and applying long after they forget the details of this unit?
Real-World Challenge
What is a real-world issue or challenge that you want to focus on in this project? (Tip: Type in a location like 'NYC' to tailor the results to a specific region)
Learning Partners and Clients
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Performance Tasks
What are authentic ways students can demonstrate their learning?
Next
What is the big, timeless idea I want students to keep thinking about and applying long after they forget the details of this unit?

(1) The choices we make are influenced by our beliefs about human nature and free will, shaping our interactions and society.
(2) Debating free will and human nature encourages critical thinking and reflection on the factors that guide human behavior.
(3) Exploring philosophical questions about free will challenges us to consider the impact of our actions on ourselves and others.

High School Grade  Project 4 weeks

Free Will Quest: Unraveling Human Nature

John H
P.MA.Co.10
F-TF.B.5
S-MD.A.1
ET7.6
12.3.PF.1
+ 5 more
1-pager

The Challenge

High school students in Massachusetts experience heightened anxiety and stress due to societal pressures and expectations surrounding academic performance and future career prospects. These pressures can impact their sense of agency and perceptions of free will, influencing their mental health and overall well-being.
Challenge Question
How do societal pressures influence teens' perceptions of free will and human nature, and what can be done to support their sense of agency and mental well-being?
Standards
  • [Massachusetts] P.MA.Co.10 - Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art. Describe how media arts includes content from other academic disciplines (e.g., how one might use mathematical patterns to make images and sound in a media artwork).
  • [Massachusetts] F-TF.B.5 - Choose trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena with specified amplitude, frequency, and midline.
  • [Massachusetts] S-MD.A.1 - Define a random variable for a quantity of interest by assigning a numerical value to each event in a sample space; graph the corresponding probability distribution using the same graphical displays as for data distributions.
  • [Massachusetts] ET7.6 - Compare and contrast labor productivity trends in the United States and other developed countries.
  • [Massachusetts] 12.3.PF.1 - Apply best practices for participating safely in physical activity (e.g., injury prevention, spacing, hydration, use of equipment, implementation of rules, sun protection). [PE]
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.

Learning Partners and Clients

Collaborate with Massachusetts-based mental health organizations like the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to explore how societal pressures affect teens' perceptions of free will and agency, providing students with expert perspectives and resources. Connect with local high school alumni who have pursued careers in philosophy or mental health, inviting them to share their experiences and insights, fostering a sense of belonging and identity among current students.

Phase Outcomes

Phase Learning Outcome
Discover
I can identify the challenge of societal pressures on teens and explore its root causes through engaging activities that spark curiosity and conviction about the issue.
Examine
I can research the causes and effects of societal pressures on teens by conducting interviews, analyzing data, and connecting with experts to deepen my understanding of the issue.
Engineer
I can develop a collaborative art project and podcast series that visually and audibly represent the impact of societal pressures on teens, integrating philosophical and mental health insights.
Do
I can implement my collaborative art project and podcast series by collecting real-world feedback, testing its effectiveness, and refining my solution based on data collected from the community.
Share
I can share my collaborative art project and podcast series in a community forum, engaging with peers, school staff, families, and mental health professionals to present my learning journey and personal growth.
Rubric
Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric
Category
Learning Goal
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies
Self Directed Learning
  • I can seek feedback from my teacher and peers to understand how my beliefs about free will and human nature influence my decision-making and actions
  • I can use this feedback to set specific goals for improving my understanding and apply it to create a media artwork that integrates mathematical patterns, reflecting my learning and personal experiences
  • I can use feedback from my teacher and peers to revise my project on how philosophical beliefs influence decision-making, showing improvement by integrating mathematical patterns or probability distributions into my media art presentation
  • I can effectively use feedback from my peers and teachers to guide my learning as I explore the relationship between free will and human nature in decision-making
  • I demonstrate this by integrating my experiences and knowledge from other disciplines, such as using mathematical patterns to create media art that reflects philosophical concepts
  • I also apply trigonometric functions to model real-world phenomena, like societal trends, and graph probability distributions to visualize decision-making processes, showing how philosophical beliefs impact our interactions
  • I can independently synthesize my personal experiences and academic knowledge to create meaningful art that incorporates mathematical patterns and models periodic phenomena using trigonometric functions
  • I thoughtfully reflect on feedback and adapt my approach to demonstrate how philosophical beliefs about free will influence societal interactions, while engaging effectively with community leaders and experts to apply practical insights
  • I exhibit mastery by presenting my work and communicating my learning process, connecting philosophical concepts to real-world applications and demonstrating how media arts intersect with other disciplines
Deeper Learning Competencies
Academic Mindset
  • I can recognize and describe how my beliefs about free will and human nature might influence my personal decisions and how these beliefs could affect interactions within my community, even if I need support to fully connect these ideas with real-world scenarios
  • I can explore and describe how my beliefs about free will influence my decision-making and interactions with others
  • I can use feedback from teachers and peers to refine my ideas and connect them to real-world scenarios involving media arts, mathematical models, or societal trends, recognizing how these interdisciplinary connections enhance my understanding of human nature and my sense of identity
  • I can confidently connect my understanding of free will and human nature to real-world scenarios by synthesizing insights from media arts, mathematics, and social studies, creating projects that reflect complex societal interactions and decision-making processes
  • Through collaboration with learning partners, I effectively integrate feedback to enhance my perspective and contribute innovatively to community discussions
  • I can confidently express how my understanding of free will and human nature influences my personal and community decisions by synthesizing philosophical beliefs with real-world experiences
  • I use mathematical patterns in media arts to creatively present my ideas and apply trigonometric models to represent periodic phenomena in my projects
  • I analyze and compare productivity trends across countries, and I ensure my physical activities are safe by implementing best practices
Deeper Learning Competencies
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
  • I can explore and discuss how different beliefs about free will and human nature might influence my decisions and behaviors, and I can share examples of how these beliefs could impact interactions in my community
  • I can apply critical thinking by using feedback from my peers and mentors to explore different philosophical perspectives on free will and human nature
  • I can solve problems by connecting these ideas to real-world scenarios, such as using trigonometric functions to model societal trends or examining labor productivity patterns
  • I can demonstrate my understanding through thoughtful art projects that incorporate my knowledge and experiences, showing how philosophical beliefs influence community interactions and decision-making
  • I can creatively integrate my personal experiences and knowledge from different academic disciplines to construct a compelling media artwork
  • Through my project, I effectively apply trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena and utilize probability distributions to represent complex ideas
  • I consider diverse perspectives, using feedback from learning partners to refine my work and address real-world challenges related to free will and human interaction
  • My work reflects a thoughtful comparison of labor productivity trends, demonstrating my ability to think critically and solve problems with innovative approaches
  • I can effectively analyze and synthesize complex ideas about free will and human nature, demonstrating deep understanding by creating a media artwork that integrates mathematical patterns and probability models to visually represent philosophical debates
  • I use trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena within my artwork, showcasing my ability to blend art with academic disciplines
  • I collaborate with learning partners to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications, creatively addressing societal interactions and decision-making processes influenced by philosophical beliefs
Deeper Learning Competencies
Content Expertise
  • I can explore how my beliefs about free will and human nature might influence my personal decision-making and interactions by connecting philosophical ideas with real-world examples
  • I seek guidance from experts, such as philosophers and community leaders, to better understand these concepts
  • I can connect my personal experiences and knowledge to create a media artwork that includes elements from other subjects, such as using mathematical patterns in images or sounds
  • I actively use feedback from teachers and peers to refine my understanding and improve my project
  • I can effectively integrate my knowledge of media arts and mathematics by creating a project that uses mathematical patterns to design a visual or sound element, demonstrating how trigonometric functions model real-world phenomena
  • I can articulate how my philosophical beliefs about free will influence my creative decisions and societal interactions, and I can compare labor productivity trends to show how economic theories impact artistic choices
  • I ensure my project reflects safe practices and thoughtful engagement with the community, showcasing my ability to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications
  • I can effectively integrate my understanding of free will and human nature with media arts by using mathematical patterns to create compelling artwork that reflects philosophical concepts
  • Additionally, I can choose appropriate trigonometric functions to model phenomena that illustrate autonomy and human behavior, define and graph random variables to represent philosophical ideas, and critically compare labor productivity trends to understand societal impacts
  • I demonstrate mastery by applying these insights in real-world projects, collaborating with experts, and showcasing my work through thoughtful presentations
Deeper Learning Competencies
Effective Communication
  • I can share my ideas about how beliefs in free will and human nature affect our decisions by clearly explaining my thoughts in discussions and presentations, using examples from media arts, math, and real-world community interactions
  • I make sure to listen carefully to others and ask questions to understand different perspectives, showing how I connect what I learn from different subjects to understand the topic better
  • I can effectively communicate my understanding of how media arts can integrate mathematical patterns and real-world data by creating a project that demonstrates how trigonometric functions model periodic phenomena and how random variables can represent data trends
  • I can articulate my insights clearly to peers and learning partners, using feedback to refine my ideas and connect philosophical beliefs about free will to societal impacts through thoughtful dialogue
  • I can effectively communicate my understanding of how philosophical beliefs about free will and human nature impact decision-making and societal interactions by engaging with local philosophers and community leaders
  • I confidently use examples from media arts and other academic disciplines to illustrate complex ideas, incorporating mathematical patterns and trigonometric models to support my arguments
  • I present my findings clearly and empathetically, using feedback from peers and experts to refine my presentation and connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications in my community
  • I can effectively communicate my understanding of how philosophical beliefs about free will and human nature influence personal and societal decision-making by synthesizing knowledge from media arts and mathematical modeling
  • I demonstrate this through clear presentations that incorporate examples such as using trigonometric functions to illustrate periodic phenomena, and probability distributions to explain randomness in behavior
  • Additionally, I engage with community leaders and academic partners to discuss labor productivity trends and safe practices in physical activity, connecting philosophical concepts with real-world applications in my community
Learning Journey
Discover
P.MA.Co.10
F-TF.B.5
S-MD.A.1
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Students will engage with local mental health professionals and alumni to explore how societal pressures impact teens' sense of agency and free will, connecting these insights to their own lives and reflecting on the importance of addressing these challenges.
Days 1 - 3
Milestone Activities
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Examine
P.MA.Co.10
S-MD.A.1
ET7.6
Self Directed Learning
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Content Expertise
Students will engage in self-directed investigations and collaborative research to analyze philosophical perspectives on free will and human nature, synthesizing their findings into creative media art pieces that reflect societal pressures on teens' mental health and sense of agency.
Days 4 - 7
Milestone Activities
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Engineer
P.MA.Co.10
F-TF.B.5
12.3.PF.1
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Content Expertise
Effective Communication
Students will collaboratively design and construct a media arts installation that visually represents the impact of societal pressures on teen mental health and perceptions of free will, integrating philosophical concepts and insights from mental health professionals to engineer a solution that challenges and educates the community.
Days 8 - 13
Milestone Activities
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Do
P.MA.Co.10
F-TF.B.5
S-MD.A.1
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Content Expertise
Effective Communication
Students will implement their collaborative art projects and podcasts in community settings to gather feedback and data on how effectively they address societal pressures and impact teen mental health perceptions, enhancing their understanding for the final presentation phase.
Days 14 - 18
Milestone Activities
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Share
P.MA.Co.10
12.3.PF.1
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
Effective Communication
Students will present their collaborative art projects and podcast series at the community forum, engaging with mental health experts and alumni to reflect on their personal growth and the societal impact of their work.
Days 19 - 20
Milestone Activities
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Plan
Week 1
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Phase
Discover
Examine
Activities
Introduction to Philosophical Questions
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Reflective Journal Entry
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Understanding Societal Pressures
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Collaborative Art Concept Development
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Media Arts Integration
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Art Project Planning
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Exploring Trigonometric Functions
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Probability Distributions and Free Will
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Labor Productivity Trends Discussion
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Art Project Execution
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Preparation
Week 2
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Phase
Examine
Engineer
Activities
Debating Free Will
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Self-Reflection Session
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Exploring Probability in Philosophy
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Societal Pressure Role-Play
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Podcast Series Development
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Art Project Progress Check
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Community Forum Preparation
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Trigonometric Functions in Art
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Labor Productivity and Agency Discussion
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Podcast Recording Session
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Preparation
Week 3
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Phase
Engineer
Do
Activities
Exploring Artistic Techniques
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Philosophical Reflection Session
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Podcast Series Script Development
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Collaborative Art Refinement
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Community Forum Presentation Rehearsal
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Trigonometric Function Application
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Podcast Editing and Production
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Final Art Project Touch-Ups
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Community Forum Dress Rehearsal
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Podcast Series Launch
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Preparation
Week 4
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Phase
Do
Share
Activities
Final Art Project Collaboration
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Podcast Series Finalization
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Art Project Presentation Preparation
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Podcast Series Review
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Interactive Feedback Session
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Final Touch-Ups
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Community Forum Presentation
Activity (Deprecated) 45m
Reflection and Self-Assessment
Activity (Deprecated) 20m
Celebration and Sharing
Activity (Deprecated) 25m
Preparation
Share
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