Students will launch the project by examining World War II stories alongside local Berkshire County community realities, then define the challenge, identify end users, and generate inquiry questions that will guide deeper research in the next phase.

Students will investigate World War II and present-day community experiences to explain how fear, difference, and power shape belonging, isolation, and support networks. They will evaluate sources, analyze oral histories and local partner stories, trace root causes, and use feedback to refine evidence-based explanations that prepare them to design a strong podcast direction in the next phase.

Students will study effective oral history podcasts and recommendation formats, turn historical and community evidence into a testable podcast design, plan and draft a team episode for Sheffield audiences, and revise their work through structured peer and partner feedback before moving into testing.

Students will test their Sheffield Belonging Podcast ideas with classmates and partner-facing criteria, collect evidence about how clearly their WWII-to-today comparison and recommendations build understanding and belonging, and use that evidence to judge effectiveness and plan next-step improvements.

Students will present their Sheffield Belonging Podcast work to an authentic audience, then complete a concise evidence-based reflection showing how their historical analysis, listening, relationship-building, and community awareness developed across the project.