Project Basics
What are the four stages of the Community Project process?
Investigating, Planning, Taking Action, Reflecting
What are the four main quadrants of an empathy map?
Says, Thinks, Does, Feels
Something sus is going on. Every day, 10 perfectly good sandwiches disappear from the school cafeteria. But no one ever sees anyone take them, and the janitor says the trash is always full of untouched food. Who’s the real culprit here?
Overproduction and poor planning — the system is wasting food, not people stealing it.
A school starts a “Diversity & Inclusion” club. Posters go up. Meetings happen. But no one from marginalized groups shows up. A student shrugs and says, “Kinda feels fake.” What’s the red flag?
Performative activism — no actual safe space or student voice in planning
The mayor says, “Our city is now fully accessible!” But you watch your friend in a wheelchair get stuck between a curb and a broken ramp. What did they really mean by “accessible”?
“Looks good on paper,” but not inclusive in practice — they checked boxes, not real needs.
True or False: You can complete the Community Project individually or in a group.
True
Why is empathy mapping useful in the early stages of a Community Project?
It helps students understand the needs and perspectives of the people they want to help.
A group of students starts a recycling campaign. They post IG stories, hang posters, even make a dance challenge. But two weeks in, the recycling bins are filled with trash, and no one cares. A quiet kid in the back says 5 words that solve everything. What did they say?
“Nobody knows why it matters.” — They forgot to connect it to people’s values or emotions.
An app promises to “help the planet” by tracking your carbon footprint. But the more you use it, the more ads you see for fast fashion and travel deals. What’s the cap?
Greenwashing — the app profits from unsustainable behavior while pretending to care.
A classroom installs “quiet corners” and stress balls to support mental health. But students still look drained. One student whispers, “It’s not the room. It’s the vibe.” What’s the silent stressor?
Toxic workload or pressure culture — no mental health space can fix constant burnout.
True or False: The project must directly solve a global issue.
False – it should address a local issue with a global context in mind.
In empathy mapping, what is the difference between "Says" and "Does"?
"Says” refers to what the person says out loud; “Does” refers to their observable actions.
In a café downtown, free Wi-Fi is offered "for everyone," but one student notices only certain people actually use it. There’s no password, no fees, and yet something feels... off. What invisible barrier is stopping some people?
Social stigma or exclusion — people may not feel welcome due to class, race, or vibes of the space
A city builds a brand-new youth center with skate ramps, murals, and music zones. It’s trendy As hell. But no one from the actual neighborhood goes there. A teen calls it a “museum for vibes.” What’s the twist?
Gentrification or lack of community input — it was built for youth, but not with them.
A podcast called “Voices of Youth” interviews the same five popular students over and over. You try to join, but they say, “We already have enough representation.” What’s the real issue?
Tokenism — giving the illusion of inclusion without true diversity or new perspectives
What kind of action can a Community Project include? Give two types.
Direct, indirect, advocacy, or research-based action
True or False: An empathy map can only be used during the planning stage of a project.
False – it can also be used to reflect and adjust later.
The school puts on an awareness week for mental health. There are posters, seminars, even a therapy dog. But afterward, students say they still don’t feel safe speaking up. One student drops the mic with a single observation. What did they notice?
“The adults talk at us, not with us.” — Students weren’t involved in planning or leading.
A nonprofit runs a photo campaign showing people in poverty, “to raise awareness.” The pics go viral. But the people in the photos didn’t get anything. What’s the ethical dilemma here?
— using others’ struggles for donations without consent or impact
A group of students organizes a campaign to reduce plastic use. Their posters are beautiful, their facts are strong, but nobody changes behavior. A shy student speaks once and solves the mystery. What did they say?
“We forgot to make it personal and relatable — people don’t act on posters, they act on emotion and relevance.”
What are the three required components of the final product?
The product, the Reflection Journal, and signed Academic Honesty Form
How might an empathy map change your understanding of a “need” in the community?
It could reveal deeper issues or emotions behind the surface-level problems.
A local influencer launches a campaign to “save the streets” by banning graffiti. It goes viral. But a group of teens quietly paints a new mural in the alley — and suddenly, crime in that area drops. What’s the plot twist?
The graffiti wasn’t crime — it was culture. The mural gave people pride and ownership in their space.
You’re interviewing for a community project. A company says, “We help kids stay safe online.” But when you ask how, they get cagey. You dig into their Terms & Conditions. What shocking twist do you find?
hey collect and sell user data — the “protection” is a front for surveillance or profit
You want to help elderly people feel less lonely. You bring them smartphones and show them how to use social media. But after a month, they still feel isolated. What did you forget to consider?
Emotional needs, personal connection, digital literacy barriers — empathy mapping!