Students will launch the investigation by sketching an initial postsecondary pathway, analyzing early evidence about careers and education costs, and revising their first idea using peer feedback to prepare for deeper research in the next phase.

Students will refine a focused investigation about careers, education costs, and financial aid; test their ideas against real loan and aid scenarios; and produce a peer-reviewed methodology plan that prepares them to collect credible evidence in the next phase.

Students will present and defend a revised one-page postsecondary pathway snapshot to an authentic audience, use feedback from peers, families, staff, and community partners to strengthen their claims, and complete a final milestone assessment that connects career data, education costs, and financial aid choices to a realistic next step.