Empathize
Empathize
Students will engage with a local farm to interview farmers, gathering insights on agricultural practices and plant growth, while documenting their findings and reflecting on how these insights might guide their own raised vegetable garden project.
Days 1 - 5
265 min over capacity (225 min available across 5 days)
Ideate
Ideate
Students will brainstorm and sketch diverse design ideas for their raised vegetable gardens, utilizing collaborative group discussions and imaginative thinking to explore various planting strategies, and will integrate learnings from field visits and soil experiments to refine their plans, ensuring all ideas align with their essential question and community impact goals.
Days 11 - 17
75 min over capacity (315 min available across 7 days)
Prototype
Prototype
Students will focus on building and testing model garden structures, experimenting with various designs to optimize plant health and growth, while documenting their findings and refining concepts through feedback from peers and local farmers.
Days 18 - 26
110 min over capacity (405 min available across 9 days)
Test/Present
Test/Present
Students will showcase their multimedia presentations and interactive garden map exhibit to parents, peers, and community members, inviting them to participate in garden-inspired activities, sample recipes from the 'Garden Recipe Book,' and contribute to the collaborative mural while engaging with feedback from local farmers to refine their garden projects.
Days 27 - 35
70 min over capacity (405 min available across 9 days)
Empathize
Days 1–5
Day 1
Day 3
Define
Days 6–10
Day 6
Ideate
Days 11–17
Day 13
Prototype
Days 18–26
Day 19
Day 23
Test/Present
Days 27–35
Day 35
July 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
27
Day 1
Empathize
Meet the Farmers
Meet the Farmers
Farm Life Sneak Peek: Watch and Sketch
Farm Life Sneak Peek: Watch and Sketch
28
Day 2
Question Cards for Farmers: Empathy Interview
Question Cards for Farmers: Empathy Interview
29
Day 3
Farmer Insight Journal
Farmer Insight Journal
Mind Mapping Garden Ideas Together
Mind Mapping Garden Ideas Together
August 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
3
Day 4
Garden Perspectives Mapping Across Viewpoints
Garden Perspectives Mapping Across Viewpoints
4
Day 5
How Might We for Garden POV
How Might We for Garden POV
5
Day 6
Define
Garden POV and HMW Studio
Garden POV and HMW Studio
Soil, Sun, Water: Garden Science
Soil, Sun, Water: Garden Science
10
Day 7
Identifying Garden Roles and Plant Needs
Identifying Garden Roles and Plant Needs
11
Day 8
Observe Local Gardens and Collect Data
Observe Local Gardens and Collect Data
12
Day 9
Mini-Lessons on Soil, Sun, and Water
Mini-Lessons on Soil, Sun, and Water
17
Day 10
Brainstorm Garden Ideas and Sketch Concepts
Brainstorm Garden Ideas and Sketch Concepts
19
Day 12
Gallery Walk: Final Concept Drafts
Gallery Walk: Final Concept Drafts
24
Day 13
Garden Concept Studio
Garden Concept Studio
Community Helpers: Invite a Guest
Community Helpers: Invite a Guest
25
Day 14
Clarify Audience Needs and Goals
Clarify Audience Needs and Goals
26
Day 15
Generate Design Ideas with Criteria
Generate Design Ideas with Criteria
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
31
Day 16
Sketch Concepts and Storyboard Solutions
Sketch Concepts and Storyboard Solutions
1
Day 17
Build Quick Paper Prototype Models
Build Quick Paper Prototype Models
7
Day 19
Paper Prototype Iteration
Paper Prototype Iteration
Empathize Circle: Sharing Understandings
Empathize Circle: Sharing Understandings
8
Day 20
Plan Roles and Scenarios for Testing
Plan Roles and Scenarios for Testing
9
Day 21
Practice Observation Logs and Data Recording
Practice Observation Logs and Data Recording
14
Day 22
Create Visual User Test Report Drafts
Create Visual User Test Report Drafts
15
Day 23
User Testing Documentation
User Testing Documentation
Ethical Empathy: Respectful Observing Practices
Ethical Empathy: Respectful Observing Practices
16
Day 24
Plan Garden Exhibit Roles and Rubrics
Plan Garden Exhibit Roles and Rubrics
21
Day 25
Measure Plant Growth with Simple Tools
Measure Plant Growth with Simple Tools
22
Day 26
Create Exhibit Posters and Labels
Create Exhibit Posters and Labels
23
Day 27
Test/Present
Practice Presentations and Peer Feedback
Practice Presentations and Peer Feedback
28
Day 28
Set Up Practice Exhibit and Reflect
Set Up Practice Exhibit and Reflect
29
Day 29
Refine Garden Models with Evidence
Refine Garden Models with Evidence
30
Day 30
Practice Public Speaking for Exhibit
Practice Public Speaking for Exhibit
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 31
Science Inquiry: Testing Garden Results
Science Inquiry: Testing Garden Results
6
Day 32
Design Session: Final Exhibit Layout
Design Session: Final Exhibit Layout
7
Day 33
Peer Review and Revision Before Showcase
Peer Review and Revision Before Showcase
12
Day 34
Community Case Study: Simple Scenario
Community Case Study: Simple Scenario
13
Day 35
Final Garden Exhibit
Final Garden Exhibit
Empathy Summary: Our User Profile
Empathy Summary: Our User Profile
14
Day 36
Milestone Prep: Empathize to Design Plan
Milestone Prep: Empathize to Design Plan