The purpose of this project is to engage students in the creation of a mobile app prototype that helps new students navigate both the physical school environment and its cultural elements. By conducting user interviews and interactive activities, students will employ human-centered design principles to deeply understand and communicate their school's unique characteristics. The project emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and hands-on experience, allowing students to directly apply geographical concepts while developing digital literacy and problem-solving skills. This integrated approach ensures meaningful participation and promotes real-world connections in learning.

Students will develop skills in user-centered design, conducting interviews to gather meaningful insights about pain points of new students. They will enhance their ability to collaborate, communicate feedback effectively, and constructively critique peer work, fostering an iterative design process. Through the app development workshops, students will gain foundational skills in digital drawing and block-based coding, enabling them to construct functional prototypes. The project aims to deepen their understanding of cultural and environmental characteristics influencing school layout, while practicing shared decision-making and leadership within diverse teams.

Throughout the project, students will produce a series of digital artifacts, including interactive maps and resource guides for new students. By the end, each group will complete a high-fidelity mobile app prototype that visually and functionally represents the unique culture and physical layout of the school. Students will also create personalized app icons and user interface elements showcasing their design skills, alongside written reflections that articulate their process and insights gained from peer feedback and empathy activities.

Kick off the project with an 'Empathy Walkthrough' event by pairing students to role-play as new arrivals exploring the school campus. They will embark on a guided tour, focusing on school culture and navigating the physical layout. After the walkthrough, students will reflect on their feelings and insights gained, using these reflections to better inform their app design process. This immersive experience sets the stage for developing a prototype that resonates with the challenges and emotions new students may face.

At the conclusion of the project, students will host a "School Culture and Layout App Showcase" event for families, faculty, and community members. This exhibition will allow students to present their prototypes to attendees, demonstrating the app's features and explaining how it addresses user pain points and enhances the new student experience. During the showcase, attendees will engage with students, ask questions, and provide live feedback, facilitating a celebratory environment that underscores the students' hard work and creative problem-solving.