Students will launch the investigation by analyzing real land and water decision cases, learning how maps and images can reveal community impacts, and beginning to frame questions about power, stewardship, and who is affected.

Students will investigate a puzzling land or water case by analyzing maps, satellite images, photos, and short source excerpts; generate and refine compelling investigation questions; draft a tentative evidence-based hypothesis; and choose a credible plan for gathering and corroborating sources before deeper research begins.

Students will refine their investigation plan by tightening a focused question, building a credibility checklist for sources, and setting up an evidence log that connects claims to maps, satellite images, photographs, and written sources. They will test the strength of their plans through peer critique, revise their map storyboard, and complete a milestone check before moving into heavier evidence collection.

Students will collect, verify, and organize map, image, and source evidence for their regional case study, test the strength of their documentation through peer and partner review, and revise their evidence logs so they are ready to build defensible explanations in the next phase.

Students will analyze their collected maps, satellite images, photographs, and source notes to build evidence-based explanations about who is affected by land and water decisions, how physical and human features shape regional identity, and where interpretations remain uncertain. They will turn their strongest evidence into gallery-station visuals, test their reasoning through peer critique and community feedback, and revise maps, explanations, and speaking notes before the final showcase phase.

Students will present their completed Maps and Voices Gallery Walk displays to classmates, caregivers, and community guests, defend their evidence-based explanations in a student-led forum, and document how feedback and new questions shaped their final understanding of stewardship, identity, and decision-making.