Middle School Grade
Project
1 week
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Content Expertise
Collaboration
1-pager
Define
Define
Students will synthesize their heat pump user interviews and climate research into a clear, evidence-based problem definition. They will identify patterns across empathy maps, draft and critique "How Might We" statements grounded in real user quotes and climate data, and refine a focused design brief that will guide ideation in the next phase.
Day 2
Empathize
Days 1–1
Day 1
🔥 Heat Pump Investigation Kickoff
Launch
10m
🎤 Interviewing for Empathy Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building
15m
🗣️ Live User Interviews
Community Experience
12m
🧠 Empathy Map Creation
Deliverable
8m
Define
Days 2–2
Day 2
🔎 Affinity Mapping User Quotes
Project Work
20m
🧠 Writing Strong HMW Questions
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
✍️ Drafting the Heat Pump HMW
Deliverable
10m
🔄 HMW Peer Critique Carousel
Deliverable
5m
Ideate
Days 3–3
Day 3
💡 15-Idea Heat Pump Brainstorm
Project Work
15m
✏️ Crazy-8 Brochure Sketches
Project Work
10m
📊 User-Needs Decision Matrix
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
🗺️ Brochure Storyboard Concept
Deliverable
8m
📝 Daily Design Reflection Journal
Deliverable
2m
Prototype
Days 4–4
Day 4
🧪 Rapid Tri-Fold Paper Prototype
Deliverable
20m
🗣️ User Testing Protocol & Feedback Notes
Deliverable
15m
🔁 Iteration Log & Brochure Revision
Deliverable
10m
Test/Present
Days 5–5
Day 5
🗣️ New User Brochure Test
Community Experience
15m
🔁 Final Iteration Log Update
Project Work
15m
🎤 Heat Pump Design Story Pitch
Assessment
15m
May 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
4
Day 1
Empathize
🔥 Heat Pump Investigation Kickoff
🎤 Interviewing for Empathy Workshop
🗣️ Live User Interviews
🧠 Empathy Map Creation
5
Day 2
Define
🔎 Affinity Mapping User Quotes
🧠 Writing Strong HMW Questions
✍️ Drafting the Heat Pump HMW
🔄 HMW Peer Critique Carousel
6
Day 3
Ideate
💡 15-Idea Heat Pump Brainstorm
✏️ Crazy-8 Brochure Sketches
📊 User-Needs Decision Matrix
🗺️ Brochure Storyboard Concept
📝 Daily Design Reflection Journal
7
Day 4
Prototype
🧪 Rapid Tri-Fold Paper Prototype
🗣️ User Testing Protocol & Feedback Notes
🔁 Iteration Log & Brochure Revision
8
Day 5
Test/Present
🗣️ New User Brochure Test
🔁 Final Iteration Log Update
🎤 Heat Pump Design Story Pitch