Empathize
Empathize
Students will engage in a 'Story Circles' event and 'History & Heritage' walking tour to immerse themselves in community narratives and historical context, gathering empathetic insights and identifying challenges that the African American community wants addressed, laying a foundation for articulating authentic issues and perspectives as they progress to defining the essential question.
Days 1 - 4
Ideate
Ideate
Students will brainstorm innovative solutions by collaborating with community partners and peers in feedback sessions, exploring creative ideas through multimedia platforms such as blogs and documentary film outlines, setting the stage for prototyping impactful responses to African American community issues.
Days 9 - 12
115 min over capacity (360 min available across 4 days)
Prototype
Prototype
Students will create low-fidelity prototypes of visual art pieces, spoken word performances, and podcast episodes that address African American issues, gathering feedback from peers and community partners during weekly feedback circles to refine ideas for the final exhibition and panel discussions.
Days 13 - 16
Test
Test
Students will present their prototypes to community partners, receive and analyze feedback, refine their solutions, and incorporate personalized insights into their final presentations, completing their learning journey by showcasing adaptability and effective communication skills.
Days 17 - 20
Empathize
Days 1–4
Day 1
Voices Of Change Film Festival (90 min)
Launch
90m
Day 2
Guided Historical Context Exploration
Activity
45m
Define Problem Space and Audience
Knowledge/Skill Building
40m
Day 3
Community Narratives and Story Circle Practice
Activity
60m
Brainstorm Ideas and Feasibility Check
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 4
Rough Prototypes and Stakeholder Sketches
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Define
Days 5–8
Day 5
Criteria for Success and Risk Mapping
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 6
Collaborative Question Formulation
Activity
60m
Collaborative Storyboard and Idea Refinement
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 7
Frame Problem and Success Criteria
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 8
Divergent Ideation and Concept Sketching
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Ideate
Days 9–12
Day 9
Prototype Mockups and Feedback Readiness
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 10
Peer Feedback Workshop
Deliverable
45m
Day 11
Clarify Design Specs and Milestone Goals
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 12
Build Core Features with Checks
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Prototype
Days 13–16
Day 13
Plan and Conduct User Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 14
Iterate Prototype Using Data Insights
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 15
Prepare Presentation Drafts and Rehearse
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 16
Prototype Presentation and Feedback Reflection
Assessment
Test
Days 17–20
Day 17
Practice Presentation with Feedback Session
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 18
Feedback Analysis and Refinement Session
Activity
45m
Mock Run-Throughs for Final Refinement
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 19
Peer Presentation Run-Through and Reflection
Deliverable
45m
Day 20
Prototype Presentation & Analysis
Assessment
June 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
15
Day 1
Empathize
Voices Of Change Film Festival (90 min)
16
Day 2
Guided Historical Context Exploration
Define Problem Space and Audience
17
Day 3
Community Narratives and Story Circle Practice
Brainstorm Ideas and Feasibility Check
18
Day 4
Rough Prototypes and Stakeholder Sketches
19
Day 5
Define
Criteria for Success and Risk Mapping
22
Day 6
Collaborative Question Formulation
Collaborative Storyboard and Idea Refinement
23
Day 7
Frame Problem and Success Criteria
24
Day 8
Divergent Ideation and Concept Sketching
25
Day 9
Ideate
Prototype Mockups and Feedback Readiness
26
Day 10
Peer Feedback Workshop
July 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
29
Day 11
Clarify Design Specs and Milestone Goals
30
Day 12
Build Core Features with Checks
1
Day 13
Prototype
Plan and Conduct User Feedback
2
Day 14
Iterate Prototype Using Data Insights
3
Day 15
Prepare Presentation Drafts and Rehearse
6
Day 16
Prototype Presentation and Feedback Reflection
7
Day 17
Test
Practice Presentation with Feedback Session
8
Day 18
Feedback Analysis and Refinement Session
Mock Run-Throughs for Final Refinement
9
Day 19
Peer Presentation Run-Through and Reflection
10
Day 20
Prototype Presentation & Analysis