Empathize
Students will launch the project through a Diamond Valley Lake experience, investigate how water access shapes human life, begin comparing local and ancient water systems, and document early evidence and questions that will guide later problem definition and exhibit design.
Days 1 - 4
Define
Students will sort evidence from the Diamond Valley Lake launch and ancient civilization investigations, distinguish user needs from possible solutions, and write an evidence-based How Might We statement that can guide later exhibit design.
Days 5 - 8
Ideate
Students will use evidence from ancient civilization investigations, Diamond Valley Lake observations, and earlier How Might We statements to generate many exhibit ideas, compare them against user needs and content accuracy, and select promising directions for prototype drafting.
Days 9 - 13
Draft
Students will turn their research, maps, observation notes, and How Might We statements into first-draft exhibit components that connect Diamond Valley Lake to ancient water systems. They will learn just-in-time modeling and exhibit design skills, build and label prototypes, give feedback to 2 peers, revise using evidence, and document how science content, user needs, and collaboration shaped their draft.
Days 14 - 19
Test
Students will test their draft local water connection exhibits with peers and community-connected users, collect evidence about clarity, usefulness, and scientific accuracy, and use that feedback to revise both exhibit components and design reasoning before moving into the next critique cycle.
Days 20 - 24
Critique
Students will use structured critique to evaluate draft water exhibits, compare feedback against scientific and historical evidence, and revise their Diamond Valley Lake–ancient civilizations connections for greater clarity, accuracy, and usefulness to family visitors.
Days 25 - 28
Notice & Reflect
Students will synthesize evidence from their water-cycle modeling, ancient civilization investigations, user-centered exhibit design, and feedback rounds to present their final Blue Planet Gallery Night exhibit, document how their thinking changed, and explain how water shaped settlement and daily life across time and place.
Days 29 - 32