The Community Project can either be competed alone, in pairs or in groups of 3.

Once your groups are organized you need to organize the format of your Process Portfolio.

Your process portfolio is a new page on your existing Google Site. This will be the place where you record your thoughts, ideas, problem solving, reflections, responses to questions, inquiry questions, research, images, inspirations, photos/videos of progress, interviews … basically every aspect of your Community Project. Your peers, family, friends, teachers or any other interested person should be able to have a very clear understanding of your learning journey simply by reading your process journal. 

All your thinking, problem solving, creative response, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING for your Community Project must be documented in your Process Journal. A question to keep in the forefront of your mind is: How am I making my thinking visible? 

You need to define a clear and highly challenging goal to address a need within a community, based on personal interest.

Step 1: Identify the community that you wish to serve through your Community Project. In your process journal explain just who or what this community is and explain just why you wish to serve them.

Step 2: Identify and explain the need within this community. Using the 5W1H model below to create inquiry questions and your research skills, in your process journal explain just what this need is. 

Draft your 30 second or less elevator pitch and add it to your portfolio page. Selling your idea to your client is a key part of the design process.

Now, take your learning outside the GNS walls and actually engage with the community you are going to be serving. The way in which you engage with the community you are serving can be via the following:

• Interview

• Survey

• Email conversations or another medium of your choice (Face to face, Zoom / Google Meet, Telephone, etc.)

Remember,  you want to gain a deeper sense of empathy for those within the community that you are serving. Dig deep, probe issues and put yourself in their shoes. Practise empathy – it is the key to service and action. 

Something to remember when engaging with the community or a member of the community you are serving, as principled learners make sure you respect their rights, dignity and autonomy. This is very important.

This is a sample letter you can use to reach out to your potential community partner. Please feel free to make a copy of this letter and edit all of the necessary sections to make it personal to yourself and your potential partner.

These are some sample project ideas to get your brain working...

1. Eco-Design Initiative: In response to the high plastic consumption at their school, Grade 8 students launched the "Eco-Design Initiative." Through a design-focused approach, they created educational materials and recycling bins that were both functional and visually appealing, catering to the daily routines of students and staff. Collaborating with local businesses, they introduced stylish reusable lunch kits that matched the aesthetic preferences of their peers. This project not only reduced plastic waste but also elevated environmental consciousness through thoughtful design.

2. Senior Tech Design Project: Recognizing the digital divide affecting local senior citizens, students started the "Senior Tech Design Project." They focused on ergonomic design principles to tailor tech tutorials and devices to the seniors’ physical needs and tech literacy levels. The project involved iterative design adjustments based on feedback, making technology more accessible and user-friendly for the elderly. This initiative bridged the gap between technology and usability, enhancing seniors' engagement with digital devices.

3. Urban Renewal Design Project: To improve their neighborhood’s landscape and reduce graffiti, students embarked on the "Urban Renewal Design Project." They used design thinking to gather community insights and collaborate with local artists to create a series of murals and space enhancements. The project focused on aesthetic improvements that included user-friendly public spaces, such as well-lit pathways and comfortable seating areas. This design-centric approach revitalized the area, turning it into a functional and visually appealing community hub.