6th Grade
Project
4 weeks
1-pager
Empathize
Empathize
Students will investigate the needs of a horse trainer and a wildlife manager to understand how living conditions, training, and ecology influence horse speed. Through direct interviews and structured empathy mapping, students will gather firsthand evidence that will later ground their problem statements and solution designs.
Days 1 - 3
Ideate
Ideate
Students will generate a wide range of solution ideas for their Interactive Speed Solution Exhibit and documentary features, using structured brainstorming and design thinking strategies. They will move from divergent thinking to evidence-based convergence, selecting top concepts grounded in real user needs from the horse trainer and wildlife manager perspectives. By the end of the phase, each team will produce annotated concept sketches/storyboards that show how a real user would interact with their proposed solution.
Days 7 - 10
Prototype
Prototype
Students will build and refine interactive exhibit prototypes and documentary components that address the needs of horse trainers and wildlife managers. They will move from low-fidelity models to higher-fidelity versions, test with authentic users when possible, document feedback, and revise based on evidence to prepare for final testing and presentation.
Days 11 - 15
Test/Present
Test/Present
Students will conduct a final validation of their interactive speed exhibits and documentaries with new users, refine their solutions based on documented feedback, and present their full design story at the Gallop Gala to community stakeholders including a horse trainer.
Days 16 - 20
Empathize
Days 1–3
Define
Days 4–6
Ideate
Days 7–10
Prototype
Days 11–15
Test/Present
Days 16–20
July 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
27
Day 1
Empathize
🐎 Meet the Horse Trainer & Wildlife Manager
🐎 Meet the Horse Trainer & Wildlife Manager
28
Day 2
🧠 Empathy Map: Speed & Survival
🧠 Empathy Map: Speed & Survival
29
Day 3
🔍 Assumption Check & Peer Feedback
🔍 Assumption Check & Peer Feedback
31
Day 5
📝 Point-of-View to How Might We
📝 Point-of-View to How Might We
August 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
3
Day 6
🔍 HMW Peer Critique Protocol
🔍 HMW Peer Critique Protocol
5
Day 8
🧠 Crazy-8s Speed Solutions
🧠 Crazy-8s Speed Solutions
6
Day 9
📊 User-Need Decision Matrix
📊 User-Need Decision Matrix
7
Day 10
🎬 User Interaction Storyboards
🎬 User Interaction Storyboards
10
Day 11
Prototype
🧠 Prototype Testing & Iteration Mini-Lesson
🧠 Prototype Testing & Iteration Mini-Lesson
11
Day 12
✏️ Low-Fidelity Speed Exhibit Build
✏️ Low-Fidelity Speed Exhibit Build
12
Day 13
🔎 Peer User Testing Round
🔎 Peer User Testing Round
13
Day 14
🔁 Prototype Revision & Iteration Log
🔁 Prototype Revision & Iteration Log
14
Day 15
🎬 High-Fidelity Exhibit & Documentary Integration Check
🎬 High-Fidelity Exhibit & Documentary Integration Check
18
Day 17
🔁 Feedback-Driven Revision Sprint
🔁 Feedback-Driven Revision Sprint
19
Day 18
🎤 Design Story Rehearsal & Peer Critique
🎤 Design Story Rehearsal & Peer Critique
20
Day 19
🖼️ Gallop Gala Exhibit Setup
🖼️ Gallop Gala Exhibit Setup
21
Day 20
🎬 Gallop Gala Documentary Premiere
🎬 Gallop Gala Documentary Premiere