Your group has been hired as curators of the new Masterto Museum. This brand-new, state-of-the-art history museum has been created to showcase the rise and fall of empires and cultures of Early Modern Period (1450-1750) and specifically designed (see floor plan below) to demonstrate global connections between these states.  You have been assigned one empire to research and to create a showcase for one of the museum's wings.  Your group will then present your exhibit to the board of directors (i.e., the rest of the class). 

Your digital exhibit will include a carefully vetted selection of 10 different artifacts (see this link for details and size requirements).  You will choose 6 artifacts (one for each PRESET category) to portray the rise and apex of your empire and 2 artifacts that represent challenges that may lead to its decline or fall.  Furthermore, you will select an additional 2 artifacts that shows its connection to another empire across the world (see floor plan below). All-in-all, you will make a 4-5 minute presentation.

Furthermore, the board of directors vote and decide to expand one of the topics to be highlighted as the main exhibit as the museum's centerpiece (and thus, secure extra funding for their department... i.e., extra credit).