Design Thinking at GCC

How to improve graduation rates due to low income and environmental issues

Current Project Stage: Prototype

This program is designed for high school students for after school hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 2 hours. The purpose of this program is to encourage and motivate students to pass with better grades. Beginning in 9th grade ending in 12th grade, students will get the chance to join a multiyear program guiding them for success in college apps, mentoring, managing time, keeping up grades, and creating a family of students through 4 years of hard work. Every semester their primary focus will alter depending on what they need to focus on at that time. Everyone focus on objectives, goals, activities and values according to their grade level. Primarily focus on what students are struggling with and come up with unique ideas on how to overcome them. For 9th graders, the focus will be on writing general idea of 9th grade which is discovery and transforming from middle school to high school. For 10th graders, they focus on what will be different from freshman to sophomore, start confirming goals, or planning how to achieve them. For 11th graders, the focus will be on grades, and extracurricular, extra things they can do and apply for beyond school to help their resumes and applications. For 12th graders, students will maintain Attendance, No Senioritis, Pass All classes. End of high school trip. Reflect on what the program did for the students.

Next Step: To promote project in every high school

Design Studio: Glendale Community College

Student Design Team: Talin Avakian, Elvin Balyans Khanghah, Michelle Magana, Gregory Argueta