Students will launch the project by listening to River LA stories, analyzing community and ecosystem evidence, and capturing initial questions and claims about how the Los Angeles River affects people, animals, and neighborhoods.

Students will synthesize field observations, River LA resources, and agency research to define a focused LA River problem statement that names who is affected, what evidence shows the need, and which water-governance agencies connect to the issue.

Students will turn their Phase 2 problem statements and evidence into multiple community-centered solution ideas, use a structured peer critique to test which ideas are most desirable and realistic, and select one promising direction for their LA River action prototype and multimedia presentation.

Students will turn their selected LA River action idea into a first working prototype by building draft slides, visuals, and interaction plans that connect user needs, river evidence, and agency responsibilities to a realistic community-facing message.

Students will test their LA River draft slideshows and multimedia action ideas with authentic reviewers, gather evidence-based feedback on clarity, accuracy, and community relevance, and document revisions that strengthen their final claims about people, animals, neighborhoods, and water governance.

Students will use a structured critique protocol to strengthen their LA River multimedia presentations and community action ideas by checking claims against evidence, listening to outside feedback, and identifying precise revisions before the final reflection and exhibition phase.

Students will exhibit their LA River Action Expo work, compare their launch questions to final evidence-based claims, and document how research, field observations, critique, and revision shaped their understanding of the river’s effects on people, animals, and neighborhoods.