"Imagine you are the mayor of a small town. Propose a three-step plan to reduce the town's reliance on fossil fuels by 2030. Use vocabulary from Unit 4."
Two weeks later, when he got his test back, next to question four was a star and a note: "Excellent plan, Mayor Marcus. +5 extra credit for creativity."
Marcus stared at the clock on the classroom wall. 10:32 AM. He had twenty-eight minutes left.
He remembered the side paragraph in the textbook about community engagement . Not just technology, but people.
He looked at the "Project 5" header at the top. Their teacher, Ms. Velez, always said the "project" questions were about applying knowledge, not just memorizing it.
Ms. Velez collected the packets. "How was Project 5?" she asked quietly as she passed his desk.
Marcus chewed his pencil. He had written "Step 1: Install solar panels." That was easy. Step 2: "Encourage electric buses." That was fine. But Step 3… his mind was blank.
