We were able to successfully deliver our mid-semester review, even though there were certain aspects of our project that we were still uncertain about. Since we haven’t been able to narrow down our project in terms of a potential solution, we specifically wanted feedback on our solution spaces. Generally, the feedback we received expressed enthusiasm for incorporating a storytelling element into the Heart Gallery. Moving forward, we plan to focus on this idea and research more about the Heart Gallery, as well as how to personalize it for individual children. We are also hoping to be able to get user … Continue reading Mid-semester Review: Team BEAR

After our site visit to BEAR’s facility, we gained a better understanding of their operation, strengths and weaknesses and we used this new information to reframe the scope of our project. At the start of the semester, we were given a really broad ‘How Can We’ statement – an objective. After Immerse we were able to put down our major insights and group them into clusters. Some of those insights include BEAR’s limited operating capacity, fluctuating volunteer participation and quick turnover of donated resources and other inventories. These clusters then lead us to our final ‘How can we’ statement –  … Continue reading Reframe: Team BEAR

This week, our team delved into identifying the core challenges underlying our project’s focus. Our primary concern is the well-being of Houston area children within the foster care system. Among the many avenues to support CPS-involved children, we pinpointed key areas: bolstering awareness across Houston, facilitating access to essential resources and mentors, and fostering a sense of belonging and support. Our initial research endeavors not only augmented our understanding of the intricacies of the foster care system but also prompted us to reevaluate our preconceptions. We recognized that many foster children lack the fundamental support structure provided by a nurturing … Continue reading Identify; Team BEAR