Music App

This project is a pilot, community-engaged collaboration in which BU undergraduates enrolled in DS488 partner directly with students from O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Science, under the guidance of Michael Chang, to co-design a map-based, playlist-driven digital experience based on movement through the city. This project is unique in the sense that it is UX research intensive with low visual design opportunities. Rather than positioning high school students as end users, this project is grounded in deep collaboration and co-creation. High school students act as design partners throughout the process, contributing to research, ideation, and evaluation. In addition to partnering with high school students, the project will include collaboration with a BU Wheelock College of Education student who will bring expertise in learning sciences and youth-centered pedagogy. Student teams will meet weekly in person at O’Bryant High School every Wednesday at 9:00am, with additional intensive work sessions during the semester. Participation requires a high level of engagement and commitment from all students involved. The initial design challenge will focus on a map-based digital experience guided by the prompt: “Create something for someone you care about.” One proposed concept explores a tool that helps a younger sibling or peer navigate Boston while allowing community members to curate location-based playlists, stories, or reflections—creating an accessible entry point for examining how data, algorithms, and AI shape everyday experiences. During Spring 2026, the scope of DS 488 will prioritize research, strategy, and low-fidelity UX design. The primary goal is to prototype the UI/UX research/experience rather than produce a fully developed product. This pilot will lay the groundwork for continued development in subsequent semesters and ultimately evolve into a new course. Student Roles Wheelock Student: • Mindful of Pedagogy, thinking about how the team can teach the O’Brytant students together Spark! College students • Demonstrating learning outcomes through teaching and mentoring, as well as doing. Highschoolers • Learning from college students, receiving direction and mentorship • Contribute to deliverables and user research Meeting schedule • Weekly 8.30am -10.00am meetings on Wednesdays (50min), every week. • Evan pays for uber with spark! card (Nolan slack lydia), • Funding for transportation (Nolan to reach out to ziba about this) some budget for this but coming out of entire class expenses, so we are willing to split it. We tell you what it cost and he sends the other half after the semester • Evan to own coordinating this : They all meet cds or agreed location and one uber takes them to the highschool • People to include: evan, undergrad team, highschool, Jorge (lead), Micheal, Omar (optional) • Evan to fill out Query form by tomorrow • 55 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02120 • Teaching and doing with the high school students • Weekend team meetings/intensives (4-5 hr) • Evan or Micheal to coordinate this meeting • Extension of work sessions or work that is more focused on some of the ethical issues emerging • 55 Pilgrim Rd, Boston, MA 02215 • People to include: evan, undergrad team, highschool, Jorge , Micheal (lead), Omar (optional) • 3 in entire semester (there is a syllabus for this) • Undergrad only meetings once every other week with PM (evan) and Jorge • Evan to own coordination • People to include: Jorge, evan, undergrad • Optional invite to Morgan and Mihyun • Zoom and/or in person There will be several weekend intensives adding up to 18 total hours throughout the semester. Students (including evan) will be compensated $15 ($270 total) an hour for these intensives.