Between Meetings (March → June 1)

We finished the project discovery sprint. You have a direction, a "how might we...?" question, and raw material for drafting a project proposal. Now it's time to build on your own, with your thinking partner (if applicable), and through your research.

Here's what's ahead between now and when we reconvene on June 1.

What You're Working On

Five assignments carry you from your sprint work to a testable prototype. Each one builds on the last:

• Assignment 3 — microSFP: Imagine your project idea in the world. Write a short narrative (about 100 words) that drops a character into the future your project creates. What changes? What goes wrong or right?
• Assignment 4 — Project Proposal: Commit to a direction. Sharpen your HMW question, name your contemporary issue, describe what you're making and who it's for.
• Assignment 5 — Audience Discovery: Talk to 2 real people connected to your project. Hear what they actually think — not what you assume.
• Assignment 6 — Research: Ground your project in evidence. Find 3-5 sources on your issue and existing innovations. Include the ChatGPT research exercise.
• Assignment 7 — Prototype + Format: Make a rough prototype. Submit a 1-minute explainer video on Lea. On June 3, you'll present it to the class for feedback.

Don't skip steps. The microSFP helps you see your project before you commit to it. The proposal locks in your direction. Audience discovery and research challenge your assumptions. The prototype makes it tangible. Full instructions, with examples where appropriate, will all be available on Omnivox.

Your AI Thinking Partner

You have the MTTM Thinking Partner for the rest of the semester. Each assignment connects to a specific phase — the assignment handout tells you which one.

How it works:

• Open a new ChatGPT thread for each phase
• Paste your context handoff from the previous phase to keep continuity
• At the end, ask for a new context handoff before closing the thread

The thinking partner helps you think through your project — it won't write your assignments or make decisions for you. Share your thread link with each submission. There's no penalty for using it.

See the AI Thinking Partner Guide for detailed instructions on threads, phases, and tips.

SALTISE 2026 — June 1

On June 1, we'll meet at Dawson and then head to ETS for SALTISE 2026 — an education conference with the theme: "Co-creating change: collaboration, courage, and care in Education."

You're going as researchers, not just attendees. Your "how might we...?" question is your lens. You'll attend talks looking for connections to your project, challenges to your assumptions, and ideas you hadn't considered.

Assignment 8 — SALTISE Prep is due before June 1: review the program, pick 2-3 talks that connect to your project, and write a few sentences explaining why.

Due Dates

All assignments are submitted on Lea.

Final Notes:

• Finish Assignments 3-8 by their due dates
• Keep using your journal to track your project. You'll reference it in the final report

Photo by  Brett Jordan  on Unsplash