Empathy Project Creative Project or Simulation
For your creative project or simulation you must apply what you have learned from your research to create something that will bring understanding to others about the condition. You could write and illustrate a children's book about the disorder. You could make a documentary about the condition with interviews from people who have it. You could design a simulation and have your fellow classmates explore what it feels like to have such a disability or disease. Then you can film the students reaction to the experience. This is your opportunity to be creative in how you educate others about your findings. Remember the goal is to both educate and create acceptance and empathy of differences.
Keep in mind that all of your work will either be compiled into a movie presentation or a website. Take photos, videos, and write down stories from your experience along the way. Some guidelines to consider: 1) you may NOT disrupt classes—either by behaving in a way that draws attention to itself and away from a teacher’s lesson plans OR by filming in class, 2) you may NOT use any part of a simulation to excuse yourself from your own responsibilities within a classroom, e.g. you can put earplugs in to simulate deafness, but you must have a partner or classmate who takes notes for you and you MUST fulfill all expectations of your teachers regarding assignments, 3) you MUST get WRITTEN permission from both me and the teacher in any class affected by your simulation BEFORE carrying it out. Try to confine simulations to passing periods, lunch, and experiences outside of school. NEVER give the impression to observers that you are making fun of a condition or disability! The purpose is to raise awareness and empathy with your final presentation, NOT to further the prejudices and stereotypes that are hurtful to begin with.
Here is an example of a Dyslexia Simulation Links to an external site.
Here is an example of a poem written about Autism Spectrum Disorder Links to an external site.
1. Come up with a plan.
- What method are you going to use? Make a video? Visual Art? Creative Writing?
- What are you going to do? Make a documentary? Poetry? Dance? Comic book? Interactive Experience?
- Who is your audience? Your peers? Children? The local community?
- What do you need to complete your project? Camera? Arrangements with Kindergarten teacher? Paint?
- When are you going to execute this? Keep in mind the final deadline.
- Which group member is in charge of what? It is important to break up the tasks.
- How are you going to document this? Film? Pictures? Written reflections?
- Inform the teacher when/what you are going to do. You must have written permission before beginning the next step.
2. Put the plan into action.
- Do it!
- Make sure you keep documentation for the final product.