Group 4 Pitch
YMCA Academy
Presented by:
Estrada, Adrianna
Nguyen, Han Thao
Yu, Yan
Zhu, Guanrui
December 13, 2023
Content
PART 1 Introduction
PART 2 The Challenge
PART 3 The Problem
PART 4 The Solution
Introduction
Yu Yan
991510915
Sheridan College
Industrial Design
Estrada Adrianna
966145452
Sheridan College
Interaction Design
Nguyen Han Thao
99575791
Sheridan College
Cyber Security
Zhu Zephyr
991635668
Sheridan College
Game Design
The Challenge
Problem Statement:
- How can the YMCA Academy better support all of their students in making the transition to postsecondary education.
The Key Points:
- SUPPORT
- COLLEGE ASPIRATIONS
- POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
FISHBONE DIAGRAM
SECONDARY RESEARCH
Insights for Supporting Students with College Aspirations
- Enhancing virtual support,
- Addressing attendance barriers
- Incorporating interactive elements,
- Tailoring Career-driven support
- Offering a flexible hybrid model can optimize engagement and effectiveness.
Attendance & Engagement Challenges
More Tailored Support
Overview
The Q Success program at Queen's University aimed to support first-year students' transition, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, through in-person and online seminars. Despite positive feedback, challenges in attendance, minimal impact on retention rates, and the preference for in-person interactions were noted.
Academic Vulnerability and Resilience
Promoting resilience in children and youth involves mobilizing resources that act as protective factors in conditions of stress and adversity
Providing social-emotional supports such as caring relationships with adults and effective peer relationships that promote students’ academic performance and developmental autonomy
DEFINING PROBLEM
Who are the USERS?
- High school students at YMCA Academy with College Aspirations but Uncertain of Future Postsecondary Plans
What is the USER NEEDS?
- High school students at YMCA Academy need continuous guidance and targeted support for postsecondary education planning, addressing uncertainties and skill gaps revealed in the data, ultimately empowering them for a confident transition to higher education.
HOW MIGHT WE?
- “How can we better support our students who want to attend postsecondary, so that no student with college aspirations is left behind?”
- Our refined question: “How might we offer post-secondary information in an approachable, engaging, and meaningful way to guide students with college aspirations?”
TIME TO IDEATE
W O R S T I D E A
P O S S I B L E
Forcing students to compete with each other, repeatetivly grind study materials for college requirements, test every 2 weeks to apply stress for sucess.
B R A I N W R I T I N G
AI based education software to help students study the subject they wish.
M A S H U P
M E T H O D
Summer School for different fields of study and prep for tests or portfolio materials.
S C A M P E R
College Tutors or Speeches from professionals
SOLUTION
College Application Process & Careers Simulation in
VR environment
SOLUTION OVERVIEW
College & Career Simulation in VR
- Experience Exploration: Allow students to explore various college scenarios and role-play different career paths through an engaging VR environment.
- Interactive Learning: Implement interactive tasks and mini-missions within the simulation to guide students through the college application process and help them identify necessary skill sets.
Role-Playing for Decision-Making
- Addressing Hesitations: Provide a "day-in-the-life" experience for college and career roles, helping students overcome hesitations and uncertainties.
- Skillset Focus/Gaps Finding: Enable students to discover and focus on the required skillsets for their chosen paths, or areas of improvement - allowing for better goal setting and enhancing preparedness for higher education.
SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION & SUPPORTS
Motivational Sessions
- Alumni Engagement: Facilitate online alumni sessions or guest speakers to inspire and motivate students, allowing them to visualize their goals more conveniently.
Personalized Mentorship
- One-on-One Guidance: Offer one-on-one mentorship (staff or volunteered alumni) to address individual needs, providing consistent support every other day or weekly based on student preferences.
Community Service Hub
- Online Service Hub: Establishing an online community service hub, with professional staff addressing students' questions on college, and careers, and connecting them to relevant resources.
- Online Community: Create a sense of companionship, healthy competition, and connections with friends who are also figuring out their strengths - enhancing communication skills for future college life.
- Event Updates: Keep students informed about resource updates, events, and opportunities within the VR community, creating a dynamic and informative space
Tech-Driven Approach for More Engagement
- Appealing to Students: Leverage the tech-savvy nature of students, making the VR simulation an enticing and effective tool for engagement, boosting online seminars/events attendance.
- Adaptable and Expanding: Ensure the solution is not one-size-fits-all, allowing for expansion and adaptation based on evolving needs and preferences.
Prototype Storyboard
01
- Curious about what the future major/career of interest will be like.
02
2. The school organizes VR career simulations.
03
3. Experience first-person professional life in VR
04
4. Clarify personal goals and start moving towards them.
OVERALL PITCH
More Refined Problem Statement:
Students lack post-secondary aspirations and face uncertainty about career paths, contributing to low engagement and information gaps in the college application process.
Our Solution:
Empower YMCA Academy high school students with learning disabilities through an immersive VR experience, seamlessly integrating gamified college application process and career simulations, personalized mentorship, and a one-stop online hub, fostering clarity, confidence, and aspirations for a successful post-secondary journey.
Key Data Insights Addressed:
- Uncertainty in Aspirations: Simulations provide clarity and help students identify passions and interests.
- Information Gaps: Online hub resolves information gaps by connecting students to resources and events.
- Engagement Challenges: Gamification and virtual experiences cater to tech-savvy students, enhancing participation.
How it works?
1. Virtual College & Career Exploration:
- Day-in-the-Life Simulations: Engage students in immersive simulations of college life and diverse career paths.
- Role-Playing Modules: Allow students to try out various careers, identifying personal interests and skillsets or skill gaps.
2. Interactive Learning & Skill Development:
- Gamified Tasks & Mini-Missions: Make the learning process interactive, engaging, and fun, addressing low attention and retention rates.
- Skillset Identification: Through gameplay, help students discover and focus on essential skillsets required for their chosen paths.
3. Motivational Speaker Series:
- Alumni & Guest Speakers: Provide convenient online access to alumni and industry professionals for motivation and goal visualization.
- Inspiration for Goal Setting: Encourage students to visualize themselves reaching their goals, fostering motivation for higher education.
4. Personalized Mentorship:
- One-on-One Mentor/Companion: Tailor mentorship frequency based on student needs, offering guidance and support.
- Tech-Savvy Approach: Leverage technology to connect with students in a way that aligns with their preferences and enhances engagement.
5. Online Community & Service Hub:
- Expand as a Resource Hub: Serve as a one-stop-shop for questions related to college, careers, and resources.
- Connection to Resources: Ensure students easily access the right resources, addressing concerns about information availability.
OVERALL PITCH
OVERALL PITCH
Desired improvements & outcome:
- Enhanced Aspirations: Simulations and mentorship elevate student aspirations and confidence.
- Increased Engagement: Gamified learning and interactive modules boost student engagement.
- Information Accessibility: Online hub addresses information gaps, creating a seamless support system.
Final Words
Our VR solution directly tackles the identified patterns of uncertainty and lack of post-secondary aspirations, providing a comprehensive and engaging platform for students to explore, learn, and aspire to higher education and successful careers.
