Empathize
Empathize
Students will conduct research on historical events between the 1780s to 1861 using print and digital sources, gather relevant information, and develop empathy by considering diverse perspectives and stakeholders affected by these events, incorporating findings into their board game design.
Days 1 - 3
Ideate
Ideate
Students will collaborate in small groups to brainstorm various design concepts for their board game, drawing inspiration from historical events, developing thematic elements, proposing game mechanics, and drafting initial ideas for their lore, while engaging in peer discussions to refine and expand their creative possibilities.
Days 7 - 10
Prototype
Prototype
Students will develop prototypes of their board games by drafting rules, mapping gameplay, crafting narratives, and testing gameplay mechanics with peer feedback, emphasizing collaborative design and critical analysis to ensure alignment with historical context and game functionality.
Days 11 - 15
Test/Present
Test/Present
Students will conduct playtesting sessions with classmates to gather feedback, revise their board game, prepare and deliver their 'Shark Tank' presentation to showcase their game design, and provide persuasive arguments, incorporating multimedia elements to present their concept to peers, families, and community partners in a gallery walk format.
Days 16 - 20
Empathize
Days 1–3
Day 1
Meet History Stakeholders
Launch
60m
Day 2
Empathy Mapping for Historical Stakeholders
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 3
Historical Stakeholder Research
Deliverable
Define
Days 4–6
Day 4
Analyze Board Games for Historical Narratives
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 5
Draft Initial Board Game Concept and Map
Project Work
45m
Day 6
Define Board Game Problem
Deliverable
Ideate
Days 7–10
Day 7
Identify Core Events and Themes
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 8
Draft Game Mechanics and Lore
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 9
Prototype, Feedback, and Pitch Practice
Project Work
60m
Day 10
Board Game Concepts
Deliverable
Prototype
Days 11–15
Day 11
Prototype Rule Drafting and Narrative Mapping
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 12
Playtest Protocols and Feedback Literacy
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 13
Shark Tank Pitch Design Workshop
Project Work
60m
Day 14
Final Revisions and Gallery Exhibition Prep
Project Work
50m
Day 15
Board Game Prototype Iterations
Deliverable
Playtester Feedback Report
Deliverable
Test/Present
Days 16–20
Day 16
Plan Structured Playtest Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building
40m
Day 17
Evaluate Historical Sources for Lore
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 18
Draft Narrative Lore for Gameplay
Project Work
60m
Day 19
Shark Tank Pitch and Deck Refinement
Project Work
50m
Day 20
Final Board Game Pitch
Assessment
May 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
25
Day 1
Empathize
Meet History Stakeholders
26
Day 2
Empathy Mapping for Historical Stakeholders
27
Day 3
Historical Stakeholder Research
28
Day 4
Define
Analyze Board Games for Historical Narratives
29
Day 5
Draft Initial Board Game Concept and Map
June 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
Day 6
Define Board Game Problem
2
Day 7
Ideate
Identify Core Events and Themes
3
Day 8
Draft Game Mechanics and Lore
4
Day 9
Prototype, Feedback, and Pitch Practice
5
Day 10
Board Game Concepts
8
Day 11
Prototype
Prototype Rule Drafting and Narrative Mapping
9
Day 12
Playtest Protocols and Feedback Literacy
10
Day 13
Shark Tank Pitch Design Workshop
11
Day 14
Final Revisions and Gallery Exhibition Prep
12
Day 15
Board Game Prototype Iterations
Playtester Feedback Report
15
Day 16
Test/Present
Plan Structured Playtest Feedback
16
Day 17
Evaluate Historical Sources for Lore
17
Day 18
Draft Narrative Lore for Gameplay
18
Day 19
Shark Tank Pitch and Deck Refinement
19
Day 20
Final Board Game Pitch