This unit had the whole school knocking on my door to find out what we were up to, and ended up becoming an entire school initiative for Earth Day.

It's perfect for distance / online learning using Google Classroom or any other platform, and works beautifully in class / in person as well! It typically takes 12-20+ blocks (45 minutes each) to complete this unit, depending on whether the entire unit is covered, and the ability/age of the students.

Included:

• 3 Different App Templates (Made with Google Slides): Index App, Quiz App, How-To App
• Printable PDF App Design Journal (63 pages)
• Digital Interactive App Design Journal (Made with Google Slides) (63 pages/slides)
• Teacher Notes (7 pages)

This is a project for students to create an app that will help reduce waste in some way. Students learn about composting, single-use items, litter, recycling, and reusing & repairing, and then choose to focus on one of these subtopics for their app. They also get to choose which of the three types of apps they want to make, depending on what they think is the best fit for their chosen topic. It’s the perfect blend of autonomy for the students, easily manageable for teachers with no prep, valuable learning about real-world issues, crucial skills development and SEL, cross curricular, and super engaging.

Using the Design Thinking Process, students create their app with the user in mind, define the problem they’re attempting to solve, practice different brainstorming methods, create a prototype, and implement various testing methods to get feedback.

Using This Resource: In Class or Online / Distance Learning

Option 1 (In-Class, less tech)

• Use the printable version for students
• Show the digital version in class to present informational slides and to demonstrate how to complete worksheets

Option 2 (In-Class, more tech)

• Assign the digital version via Google Classroom or by sending the link (instructions included in Teacher Notes)
• Students use their copy of the digital version as an interactive notebook; they view informational slides and complete the worksheets by typing directly on the slides
• Show the digital version in class to present informational slides and to demonstrate how to complete worksheets

Option 3 (Online/Distance Learning)

• Use the digital version and assign it through Google Classroom or any online learning platform, or share the link with students (instructions included in Teacher Notes)
• Students use their copy of the digital version as an interactive notebook; they view informational slides and complete the worksheets by typing directly on the slidesThe

Included Teacher Notes Explain:

• How to Teach This Unit
• How to Distribute the Google Slides File to Students 
• Making Buttons / Links Work
• How Students Can Share the Link to Their App With Friends
• How to Fix the Auto-Advance Issue

The Main Topics Include:

• Learn About Composting (3 videos)
• Learn About Single-Use Items (3 videos)
• Learn About Litter / Pollution (4 videos)
• Learn About Recycling (4 videos)
• Learn About Repairing & Reusing (3 videos)
• Interview Q&A
• User Profile
• Defining the Problem
• Ideating and the Brainstorming Rules
• Ideating Methods (3 different methods)
• The Index App 
• The Quiz App 
• The How-To App 
• The Launch Screen
• The Home Screen
• The Index App Wireframes
• The Quiz App Wireframes
• The How-To App Wireframes
• Using Google Slides to Design Screens 
• The Index App: Writing Content
• The Quiz App: Writing Content
• The How-To App: Writing Content
• Giving Feedback to Others
• Functional Testing
• Usability Testing
• General Testing
• Reflecting After the Tests

Other similar resources you might be interested in:

Design Challenge: Design the Ultimate Chair

Design Challenge: Redesign an Airplane Seat

Create a Study App

Design Challenge: Create an Alarm Clock