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
๐Ÿฅฌ Spinach Float Lab Launch
Launch 45m
๐ŸŽฏ Food Web Carnival Challenge Map
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
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
๐ŸŒฑ Sunlight Plant Clue Stations
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
โ˜€๏ธ Sun-to-Animal Energy Models
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
๐ŸŒฟ Botanical Garden Questions Visit
Community Experience 45m
๐Ÿง’ Younger Player Interview Rounds
Research 45m
๐Ÿ“ Empathy Maps and Design Briefs
Deliverable 45m
โœ… Science Claims Design Gate
Assessment 45m
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
๐Ÿง  How Might We Game Statements
Knowledge/Skill Building 40m
๐ŸŽฒ Food Web Game Sketch Sprint
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
โœ๏ธ Rules and Accuracy Mini Build
Deliverable 35m
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Low-Fidelity Carnival Prototype
Project Work 45m
๐Ÿ” Peer Playtest Revision Checkpoint
Assessment 45m
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
๐Ÿงช Plant Evidence Mini-Models
Knowledge/Skill Building 35m
๐ŸŽฒ Prototype Playtest Round Two
Deliverable 45m
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Revision Sprint and Rule Cards
Project Work 45m
๐ŸŒฟ Botanical Educator Validation
Community Experience 45m
๐Ÿ“‹ Design Journey Walkthrough
Assessment 45m
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
๐ŸŽช Food Web Carnival Stations
Community Experience 45m
๐Ÿงพ Carnival Reflection Circle
Assessment 45m