Middle School Grade
Project
1 week
1-pager
Empathize
Empathize
Students will investigate how real people understand geysers and geothermal energy by conducting interviews, capturing quotes, and building empathy maps grounded in firsthand evidence. They will surface assumptions, gather authentic user insights, and document needs that will shape their problem definition in the next phase.
Day 1
Define
Define
Students will synthesize firsthand interview data about geysers and geothermal energy into clear, evidence-based problem definitions that will guide their prototype design. They will identify patterns across users, define a focused βHow Might Weβ question grounded in real quotes, and refine it through peer critique before submitting a design brief that anchors the next phase.
Day 2
Prototype
Prototype
Students will build rapid, testable versions of their geyser exhibit concepts, conduct structured user testing with peers acting as representative visitors, and revise their designs based on documented feedback about scientific clarity, interactivity, and user understanding of geothermal energy and pressure systems.
Day 4
Test/Present
Test/Present
Students will conduct a final validation test of their refined geyser exhibits with a new user, document feedback and remaining gaps, and deliver a stakeholder presentation that traces their full design journey from empathy research to final prototype during the Geyser Discovery Tour.
Day 5
Empathize
Days 1–1
Day 1
π Geyser Exploration Kickoff
Launch
20m
π€ Interview Protocol Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
π£οΈ Real User Interviews
Community Experience
10m
π§ Geyser Empathy Map
Deliverable
5m
Define
Days 2–2
Day 2
π§ From Interviews to Insights
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
ποΈ Affinity Mapping Geyser Misconceptions
Deliverable
15m
βοΈ Crafting Geyser HMW Statements
Deliverable
10m
π Peer Critique on Problem Fit
Assessment
5m
π Geyser Design Brief Submission
Deliverable
5m
Ideate
Days 3–3
Day 3
π SCAMPER the Geyser Ideas
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
π User-Weighted Decision Matrix
Deliverable
5m
πΊοΈ Visitor Interaction Storyboards
Deliverable
5m
π‘ Divergent Geyser Exhibit Brainstorm
Deliverable
15m
βοΈ Crazy-8s Geyser Sketch Sprint
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
Prototype
Days 4–4
Day 4
β‘ Rapid Geyser Exhibit Build
Project Work
20m
π§ͺ Peer User Testing Rounds
Research
15m
π Iteration Planning Log
Deliverable
10m
Test/Present
Days 5–5
Day 5
π₯ Final Geyser Exhibit User Test
Project Work
20m
π οΈ Rapid Revision Sprint
Project Work
10m
π€ Geyser Discovery Tour Presentations
Assessment
15m
April 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
20
Day 1
Empathize
π Geyser Exploration Kickoff
π€ Interview Protocol Workshop
π£οΈ Real User Interviews
π§ Geyser Empathy Map
21
Day 2
Define
π§ From Interviews to Insights
ποΈ Affinity Mapping Geyser Misconceptions
βοΈ Crafting Geyser HMW Statements
π Peer Critique on Problem Fit
π Geyser Design Brief Submission
22
Day 3
Ideate
π SCAMPER the Geyser Ideas
π User-Weighted Decision Matrix
πΊοΈ Visitor Interaction Storyboards
π‘ Divergent Geyser Exhibit Brainstorm
βοΈ Crazy-8s Geyser Sketch Sprint
23
Day 4
Prototype
β‘ Rapid Geyser Exhibit Build
π§ͺ Peer User Testing Rounds
π Iteration Planning Log
24
Day 5
Test/Present
π₯ Final Geyser Exhibit User Test
π οΈ Rapid Revision Sprint
π€ Geyser Discovery Tour Presentations