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All grades  Project 4 weeks

Golden State Stories: AAPI Heroes Unveiled!

Riza E
Mar 21, 2026
Updated Mar 21, 2026
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Collaboration
Academic Mindset
Self Directed Learning
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Purpose

This project aims to build students' understanding of California's diverse cultural fabric by exploring the profound impact of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. By investigating historical figures and events, students will contextualize the intersections of ethnic studies and social justice movements, learning to view history through a multidimensional lens. Through collaborative and interactive activities, students will connect their sense of place and identity to broader societal dynamics, fostering critical thinking, communication, and self-directed learning. The project culminates in community exhibitions, providing students with opportunities to articulate their findings and engage in meaningful discussions on cultural heritage and activism.

Learning goals

Students will explore the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to California's culture and history by investigating key figures and events. They will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing the intersection of ethnic studies and social justice movements within this historical context. Collaborating with peers, students will enhance their abilities in effective communication, critique, and self-directed learning, while creating multimedia presentations and an interactive timeline that visually expresses their findings. Through this project, students will cultivate an academic mindset by reflecting on their role within a diverse community and recognize their own belonging.

Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and create a dynamic 'Timeline Walk' along the hallway, where each group focuses on distinct historical AAPI figures or events in California. The timeline will feature integrated multimedia elements, such as student-narrated audio guides accessible through QR codes, and artwork depicting significant moments. Throughout the project, students will also develop individual digital presentations to showcase their research findings, contributing to the community exhibition day, 'AAPI Voices.'

Launch

Begin the project with a community storytelling ceremony where students and local AAPI leaders share personal narratives about their experiences and contributions to California's cultural and social landscape. This immersive launch event not only sparks curiosity but also sets the stage for students to investigate diverse perspectives as they explore the history and impact of AAPI communities in California.

Exhibition

During the 'AAPI Voices' community exhibition day, students will transform the school hallway into an engaging 'Timeline Walk,' where they visually map significant AAPI historical events in California. The timeline will showcase multimedia presentations, murals, and interactive elements like QR codes linking to student-narrated audio guides, promoting dialogue and understanding among parents, teachers, and local community members. This immersive exhibition offers students the opportunity to practice effective communication and collaboration, sharing their research findings and reflections with the broader school community.

Plan
By Phase By Day Calendar
Empathize Define Ideate Prototype Test/Present
Empathize
Students will investigate how Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have shaped California by conducting firsthand interviews, analyzing primary sources, and creating empathy maps grounded in real user evidence. They will surface and challenge assumptions about how AAPI history is understood, document insights from at least two real people, and prepare research artifacts that will inform a clear, user-centered problem statement in the next phase.
Days 1 - 3
🌏 AAPI Voices Project Launch
Launch 45m
🎤 Interview Skills & Question Design
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
🧠 Empathy Map Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
📝 Empathy Map Creation & Peer Feedback
Deliverable 25m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Define
Students will synthesize interview notes and empathy maps to identify patterns across AAPI community stories, define a clear user-centered problem grounded in evidence, and craft a focused "How Might We" statement that will guide their solution design in the next phase.
Days 4 - 6
45 min over capacity (135 min available across 3 days)
🧠 Affinity Mapping with Interview Quotes
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
🗺️ Persona Profile: 4th Grade Audience
Deliverable 25m
❓ Writing Strong How Might We Questions
Knowledge/Skill Building 15m
📝 Drafting the AAPI HMW Statement
Deliverable 30m
🔍 Peer Critique: Evidence Check Protocol
Assessment 45m
💬 Weekly Reflection Circle & Journal Entry
Deliverable 45m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Ideate
Students will generate a wide range of design ideas grounded in real user research, evaluate them using evidence from interviews and empathy maps, and create annotated concept sketches that will guide prototyping in the next phase.
Days 7 - 10
45 min over capacity (180 min available across 4 days)
🌟 20 AAPI Timeline Ideas Sprint
Deliverable 45m
🛠 SCAMPER the Timeline Walk
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
🎨 Crazy-8s Map & Media Sketches
Deliverable 45m
🖼 Top Concepts Storyboard
Deliverable 45m
🔍 Gallery Feedback on Storyboards
Deliverable 45m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Prototype
Students will build and refine low- and medium-fidelity prototypes for their AAPI Story Designer Portfolios and Timeline Walk installations, test them with real users, and document how feedback leads to meaningful revisions grounded in user evidence.
Days 11 - 15
🧪 Prototype Testing Mini-Lesson
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
✏️ Paper Prototype Build
Deliverable 25m
🔄 Peer Feedback Roundtables
Deliverable 45m
💻 Digital Prototype v1 Build
Deliverable 25m
🛠️ Revision Planning Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
👥 Real User Testing Session
Community Experience 45m
📝 Weekly Reflection Circle & Journal
Deliverable 15m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Test/Present
Students will validate their AAPI Story Designer Portfolios and team Timeline Walk & Interactive Map with new users, refine their work based on documented feedback, and present their full design journey at the 'AAPI Voices' community exhibition, tracing decisions back to interview evidence and iteration logs.
Days 16 - 20
🎤 New User Testing Protocol Practice
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
🧪 Final User Test Round
Project Work 45m
🗣️ Design Story Rehearsal & Peer Critique
Deliverable 45m
🌉 AAPI Voices Exhibition Presentation
Assessment 45m
📓 Final Reflection Circle & Journal Entry
Deliverable 45m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Empathize Days 1–3
Day 1
🌏 AAPI Voices Project Launch
Launch 45m
Day 2
🎤 Interview Skills & Question Design
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Day 3
🧠 Empathy Map Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
📝 Empathy Map Creation & Peer Feedback
Deliverable 25m
Define Days 4–6
Day 4
🧠 Affinity Mapping with Interview Quotes
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
🗺️ Persona Profile: 4th Grade Audience
Deliverable 25m
Day 5
❓ Writing Strong How Might We Questions
Knowledge/Skill Building 15m
📝 Drafting the AAPI HMW Statement
Deliverable 30m
Day 6
🔍 Peer Critique: Evidence Check Protocol
Assessment 45m
💬 Weekly Reflection Circle & Journal Entry
Deliverable 45m
Ideate Days 7–10
Day 7
🌟 20 AAPI Timeline Ideas Sprint
Deliverable 45m
Day 8
🛠 SCAMPER the Timeline Walk
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
🎨 Crazy-8s Map & Media Sketches
Deliverable 45m
Day 9
Day 10
🖼 Top Concepts Storyboard
Deliverable 45m
🔍 Gallery Feedback on Storyboards
Deliverable 45m
Prototype Days 11–15
Day 11
🧪 Prototype Testing Mini-Lesson
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
✏️ Paper Prototype Build
Deliverable 25m
Day 12
🔄 Peer Feedback Roundtables
Deliverable 45m
Day 13
💻 Digital Prototype v1 Build
Deliverable 25m
🛠️ Revision Planning Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building 20m
Day 14
👥 Real User Testing Session
Community Experience 45m
Day 15
📝 Weekly Reflection Circle & Journal
Deliverable 15m
Test/Present Days 16–20
Day 16
🎤 New User Testing Protocol Practice
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Day 17
🧪 Final User Test Round
Project Work 45m
Day 18
🗣️ Design Story Rehearsal & Peer Critique
Deliverable 45m
Day 19
🌉 AAPI Voices Exhibition Presentation
Assessment 45m
Day 20
📓 Final Reflection Circle & Journal Entry
Deliverable 45m

March 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
23 Day 1
Empathize
🌏 AAPI Voices Project Launch
24 Day 2
🎤 Interview Skills & Question Design
25 Day 3
🧠 Empathy Map Workshop
📝 Empathy Map Creation & Peer Feedback
26 Day 4
Define
🧠 Affinity Mapping with Interview Quotes
🗺️ Persona Profile: 4th Grade Audience
27 Day 5
❓ Writing Strong How Might We Questions
📝 Drafting the AAPI HMW Statement

April 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
30 Day 6
🔍 Peer Critique: Evidence Check Protocol
💬 Weekly Reflection Circle & Journal Entry
31 Day 7
Ideate
🌟 20 AAPI Timeline Ideas Sprint
1 Day 8
🛠 SCAMPER the Timeline Walk
🎨 Crazy-8s Map & Media Sketches
2 Day 9
3 Day 10
🖼 Top Concepts Storyboard
🔍 Gallery Feedback on Storyboards
6 Day 11
Prototype
🧪 Prototype Testing Mini-Lesson
✏️ Paper Prototype Build
7 Day 12
🔄 Peer Feedback Roundtables
8 Day 13
💻 Digital Prototype v1 Build
🛠️ Revision Planning Workshop
9 Day 14
👥 Real User Testing Session
10 Day 15
📝 Weekly Reflection Circle & Journal
13 Day 16
Test/Present
🎤 New User Testing Protocol Practice
14 Day 17
🧪 Final User Test Round
15 Day 18
🗣️ Design Story Rehearsal & Peer Critique
16 Day 19
🌉 AAPI Voices Exhibition Presentation
17 Day 20
📓 Final Reflection Circle & Journal Entry
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