RISE Curriculum
CURRICULUM WEB APP
Product
A web‑based platform designed to deepen understanding of civics and engineering through themed pathways and real world case studies.
Project Roles
UI & UX Design,
App Development,
Quality Assurance
THE CHALLENGE
Educators often face challenges bringing interdisciplinary topics like civics and engineering into the classroom in ways that feel relevant and engaging for students. Without a centralized, easy‑to‑use resource, teachers may struggle to plan lessons that connect these subjects to real‑world issues such as environmental justice, gentrification, or economic inequality. This gap can lead to missed opportunities to spark student curiosity, deepen critical thinking, and encourage meaningful discussions about local and national challenges. Additionally, the absence of ready‑made case studies and thematic pathways may place an extra burden on teachers to curate and adapt content themselves, limiting time for instruction and collaboration.
THE PROCESS
The development of RISE Curriculum followed a user‑centered design approach, beginning with research to understand the instructional needs of educators and the learning goals for students. Key features were identified, including structured curriculum pillars in Civics and Engineering + Design Thinking, five thematic pathways for deeper exploration, and a library of real‑world case studies from across the country. The web app was designed to be clear, organized, and approachable, allowing teachers to easily browse, plan, and integrate content into their lessons. By combining interdisciplinary resources with localized examples, the platform helps educators bring complex social justice topics to life in the classroom and guide students in meaningful, inquiry‑based discussions.
GUIDED LEARNING FLOW
To ensure educators introduce foundational concepts before exploring specialized topics, the app uses a progressive reveal approach: the five thematic pathways and real‑world case studies remain locked until teachers have reviewed the two core curriculum pillars — Civics and Engineering + Design Thinking. This design helps maintain instructional coherence, supports scaffolded lesson planning, and reinforces the importance of grounding advanced topics in essential subject knowledge.
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Pillars
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Pathways
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Case Studies
STRUCTURED CURRICULUM & PATHWAYS
The app organizes content around two foundational pillars — Civics and Engineering + Design Thinking — providing educators with a clear, cohesive framework. To enrich classroom learning, teachers can guide students through five thematic pathways focused on real‑world issues: Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, Gentrification, Health Justice, and Traffic/Transportation. This modular design supports both comprehensive lesson planning and flexible integration of topics that resonate most with students.
THE IMPACT: BRINGING SOCIAL JUSTICE INTO THE CLASSROOM
By offering an organized, accessible resource hub, RISE Curriculum helps teachers confidently address complex topics that might otherwise feel overwhelming to cover. The platform fosters critical thinking, interdisciplinary connections, and student‑driven inquiry. Ultimately, it equips educators to spark meaningful conversations and inspire the next generation to see themselves as active participants in shaping more just and equitable communities.
RESULTS
The RISE Curriculum app was developed to meet teachers’ real classroom needs. By structuring content around clear curriculum pillars, adding thematic pathways, and including curated case studies, the design made it easier for educators to plan lessons that feel cohesive and relevant. The progressive reveal feature ensures students first built a strong foundation before exploring more complex social justice topics, supporting a natural learning progression. The thoughtful design not only streamlines educators’ workflows but also helps students engage deeply with civics and engineering, developing critical thinking and real‑world problem‑solving skills.
TECHNOLOGY
WordPress, PHP, LearnPress, MySQL, Node.js, AlpineJS
