Launch
Launch
Students will investigate a surprising photosynthesis phenomenon, launch the Food Web Carnival challenge, and use early plant evidence to begin explaining how sunlight supports plants and eventually animals while preparing for later user-centered game design work.
Days 1 - 2
Research & Plan
Research & Plan
Students will gather evidence from plant investigations and younger-student feedback, then turn those findings into an empathy artifact and a science-based game design brief for the Food Web Carnival.
Days 3 - 8
Ideate & Prototype
Ideate & Prototype
Students will turn prior plant-energy evidence and user insights into a clear game direction, build a low-fidelity Food Web Carnival prototype, test it quickly with peers, and revise it based on science accuracy and younger-player usability.
Days 9 - 13
Refine & Showcase
Refine & Showcase
Students will use evidence from plant investigations and user feedback to complete two revision cycles on their Food Web Carnival game, validate the game with a new audience member, and prepare a clear walkthrough showing how science ideas, player needs, and team decisions shaped the refined prototype.
Days 14 - 18
Showcase
Showcase
Students will present their finished Food Web Carnival games to younger learners, gather final user feedback on science accuracy and playability, and reflect on how their evidence, revisions, and teamwork strengthened their final solution.
Days 19 - 20
Launch
Days 1–2
Day 1
π₯¬ Spinach Float Lab Launch
Launch
45m
Day 2
π― Food Web Carnival Challenge Map
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Research & Plan
Days 3–8
Day 3
π± Sunlight Plant Clue Stations
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 4
βοΈ Sun-to-Animal Energy Models
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 5
πΏ Botanical Garden Questions Visit
Community Experience
45m
Day 6
π§ Younger Player Interview Rounds
Research
45m
Day 7
π Empathy Maps and Design Briefs
Deliverable
45m
Day 8
β
Science Claims Design Gate
Assessment
45m
Ideate & Prototype
Days 9–13
Day 9
π§ How Might We Game Statements
Knowledge/Skill Building
40m
Day 10
π² Food Web Game Sketch Sprint
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 11
βοΈ Rules and Accuracy Mini Build
Deliverable
35m
Day 12
π οΈ Low-Fidelity Carnival Prototype
Project Work
45m
Day 13
π Peer Playtest Revision Checkpoint
Assessment
45m
Refine & Showcase
Days 14–18
Day 14
π§ͺ Plant Evidence Mini-Models
Knowledge/Skill Building
35m
Day 15
π² Prototype Playtest Round Two
Deliverable
45m
Day 16
π οΈ Revision Sprint and Rule Cards
Project Work
45m
Day 17
πΏ Botanical Educator Validation
Community Experience
45m
Day 18
π Design Journey Walkthrough
Assessment
45m
Showcase
Days 19–20
Day 19
πͺ Food Web Carnival Stations
Community Experience
45m
Day 20
π§Ύ Carnival Reflection Circle
Assessment
45m
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
21
Day 1
Launch
π₯¬ Spinach Float Lab Launch
22
Day 2
π― Food Web Carnival Challenge Map
23
Day 3
Research & Plan
π± Sunlight Plant Clue Stations
24
Day 4
βοΈ Sun-to-Animal Energy Models
25
Day 5
πΏ Botanical Garden Questions Visit
28
Day 6
π§ Younger Player Interview Rounds
29
Day 7
π Empathy Maps and Design Briefs
30
Day 8
β
Science Claims Design Gate
1
Day 9
Ideate & Prototype
π§ How Might We Game Statements
2
Day 10
π² Food Web Game Sketch Sprint
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 11
βοΈ Rules and Accuracy Mini Build
6
Day 12
π οΈ Low-Fidelity Carnival Prototype
7
Day 13
π Peer Playtest Revision Checkpoint
8
Day 14
Refine & Showcase
π§ͺ Plant Evidence Mini-Models
9
Day 15
π² Prototype Playtest Round Two
12
Day 16
π οΈ Revision Sprint and Rule Cards
13
Day 17
πΏ Botanical Educator Validation
14
Day 18
π Design Journey Walkthrough
15
Day 19
Showcase
πͺ Food Web Carnival Stations
16
Day 20
π§Ύ Carnival Reflection Circle